If you’ve worked in the pharmaceutical and beverage industry for a long time, you know how important the butterfly valve is. But do you really know how they work? Better yet, do you know the main parts that make up a butterfly valve?
Butterfly valves are used to control the flow of fluids. The structure and mechanism of a butterfly valve are similar to those of a ball valve. This means a spherical disc with a hole and a rod that passes through the disc so that when the tap is open, the fluid that is supposed to flow through it will flow transparently. When the tap is closed, the flow will obviously be blocked. There are four main parts that allow the operation of sanitary butterfly valves: the body, the seat, the handle and the operator. Most high performance butterfly valves have bodies that can easily fit between two pipes. This allows the valves to increase productivity. Please note that not all valves are the same. Some are designed for drinks, while others are designed for medications.
The technology behind sanitary butterfly valves has grown steadily over time. This explains why valves are used today in many industries. The common butterfly, for example, comes from the group or rather the family of quarter turn taps in a wide range of sizes for different uses and that handle different degrees of temperature and pressure. The larger the size of a butterfly valve, the more pressure it can withstand. Each part of a butterfly valve contributes in one way or another to its usefulness and functionality. The pieces depend on each other. In other words, the valve may not work at all if a part is damaged or has a fault. The two most important parts are:
• Disc: the valve incorporates the use of a large rotating disc, as it is a control device. Serves as the main fluid conduit that controls the faucet. A first use of the disc was primarily to control the flow of water in plumbing systems. This is logical because the valve is designed to isolate and regulate the jet of water and other fluids. Note that the tap can also be used to control air intake and exhaust in car carburettors.
• Seat: The seat uses the inference fit between the edge of the disc and the seat to ensure that the valve stops. The seat can be glued to the body or it can be glued. Seat materials can be made of polymers or metal. Metal is used mainly when the valve has to withstand extreme temperatures.