Uses of Butterfly Valves

Butterfly Valve

There are different kinds of butterfly valves, each adapted for different pressures and different usage. The zero offset butterfly valve, which uses the flexibility of rubber, has the lowest pressure rating. The high performance double offset butterfly valve, used in slightly higher-pressure systems, is offset from the centre line of the disc seat and body seal (offset one), and the centre line of the bore (offset two). This creates a cam action during operation to lift the seat out of the seal resulting in less friction than is created in the zero offset design and decreases its tendency to wear. The valve best suited for high-pressure systems is the triple offset butterfly valve. In this valve the disc seat contact axis is offset, which acts to virtually eliminate sliding contact between disc and seat. In the case of triple offset valves the seat is made of metal so that it can be machined such as to achieve a bubble tight shut-off when in contact with the disc.

Types of Butterfly Valves

  1. Concentric butterfly valves - This type of valve has a resilient rubber seat with a metal disc.

  2. Doubly-eccentric butterfly valves (high-performance butterfly valves or double-offset butterfly valves) - Different type of materials is used for seat and disc.

  3. Triply-eccentric butterfly valves (triple-offset butterfly valves) - The seats are either laminated or solid metal seat design.






Application of Butterfly Valves

In the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industry a butterfly valve is used to interrupt product flow (solid, liquid, gas) within the process. The valves used in these industries are usually manufactured according cGMP guidelines (current good manufacturing practise).

Butterfly valves can be used in many applications because they can be used with many different media types including water applications, corrosive materials and some slurries. Typical applications include:


  • Cooling water, air, gases, fire protection, etc.

  • Slurry and similar services

  • Vacuum service

  • High-pressure and high-temperature water and steam services.