Valves are an integral part of many industries, from drinking water and wastewater treatment to oil and gas, chemical processing, and more. They control the flow of liquids, gases and slurries within the system, with butterfly and ball valves being particularly common. This article explores why we chose butterfly valves over ball valves, delving into their principles, components, design, operation, and advantage.
A butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve that is used to stop, regulate, and initiate fluid flow. The movement of the butterfly valve disc mimics the movement of a butterfly’s wings. When the valve is completely closed, the disc completely blocks the channel. When the disc is fully opened, the disc rotates a quarter of a turn, allowing the fluid to pass through almost unrestricted.
Ball valves
A ball valve is also a quarter-turn valve, but its opening and closing parts are spherical spheres. There is a hole in the middle of the sphere, and when the hole is aligned with the flow path, the valve opens. When the bore is perpendicular to the flow path, the valve closes.
Butterfly Valves vs. Ball Valves: Design Differences
The fundamental difference between a butterfly valve and a ball valve is their design and operating mechanism. These differences affect their performance characteristics and suitability for a wide range of applications.
Dimensions and weight
Butterfly valves are typically lighter and more compact than ball valves, especially ball valves with larger sizes. The short design of the butterfly valve makes it easier to install and maintain, especially in applications where space is limited.
Cost
Butterfly valves are typically less expensive than ball valves due to their simpler design and fewer parts. This cost advantage is especially evident when the valve size is larger. The low cost of butterfly valves makes them ideal for large-scale valve applications.
Pressure drops
When fully opened, butterfly valves typically have a higher pressure drop than ball valves. This is due to the position of the disc in the flow path. Ball valves are designed with full bore to provide a lower pressure drop, but many suppliers reduce bore to save costs, which results in a large pressure drop across the media and wasted energy.
Butterfly valves offer significant advantages in terms of cost, size, weight, and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for a variety of applications, especially in the water and wastewater treatment, HVAC systems, and food and beverage industries. That’s why we chose a butterfly valve instead of a ball valve. However, for small diameters and slurries, ball valves may be a better choice.
Post time: Nov-12-2024
