What is a Wafer Butterfly Valve Used For?
A wafer butterfly valve is a key component used in industries that require efficient flow control and reliable shut-off.
The pneumatic wafer butterfly valve offers excellent sealing in a compact design, making it ideal for applications where precise flow regulation and minimal leakage are essential.
Key Features of a Pneumatic Wafer Butterfly Valve
1. Excellent Sealing Performance
The pneumatic wafer butterfly valve is designed as a mid-line soft-seal valve that ensures an excellent sealing effect. It uses materials like rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to create a tight seal, preventing leakage. This makes it particularly useful in applications where fluid containment is essential.
2. Zero Leakage Capability
A properly functioning wafer butterfly valve can achieve zero leakage, which is crucial for preventing system inefficiencies, minimizing waste, and avoiding environmental contamination.
3. Limitations
However, due to its structural characteristics, this valve is not suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, or wear-resistant industries. It is best suited for normal temperature environments and low to medium pressure systems.
Common Applications of Wafer Butterfly Valves
Flow Control: Wafer butterfly valves are primarily used to switch and regulate flow in systems that require precise flow control, such as water treatment, chemical processing, HVAC systems, and even food processing plants.
Seal and Shut-off Flow: The high-quality seals in pneumatic wafer butterfly valves make them ideal for systems that require tight shut-off capabilities.
Low to Medium Pressure Systems: Typically used in systems where fluid or gas pressure is not high, they are particularly suitable for low and medium pressure applications, ensuring that the valve operates at its best without the risk of damage or failure.
Working Principle of a Pneumatic Wafer Butterfly Valve
The operation of a pneumatic wafer butterfly valve is relatively straightforward, yet highly efficient.
Opening the Valve: The process begins when an electrical signal from the main control console activates the solenoid valve. This allows compressed air to enter the system. The air passes through a pressure-regulating filter valve, which removes any impurities, oil, or dirt. The filtered air is then directed into the pneumatic actuator, which is responsible for driving the valve stem.
Valve Stem Movement: The pneumatic actuator uses the compressed air to rotate the valve stem from 0 to 90 degrees, opening the valve and allowing fluid or gas to flow. This movement can be precisely controlled, ensuring accurate flow regulation.
Closing the Valve: When it's time to close the valve, the solenoid valve is deactivated, cutting off the supply of compressed air to the pneumatic actuator. If a double-acting pneumatic actuator is installed, the return spring forces the actuator in the opposite direction, closing the valve securely.
Manual Override Option: In certain situations, a handwheel device can be installed to allow manual operation. This enables operators to switch between pneumatic and manual control, providing flexibility in case of system malfunction or power failure.