A wafer butterfly valve is a type of quarter-turn rotary valve used to start, stop, or regulate the flow within a pipeline. Its name gives away its two main features:
"Butterfly": It gets its name from the disc, which is the core component. This disc sits in the center of the pipe and rotates on a shaft. When turned a quarter-turn (90 degrees), it moves from a position blocking the flow (closed) to being parallel with the flow (fully open), much like a butterfly opening and closing its wings.
"Wafer": This refers to its body style. Unlike lug-style valves, a wafer valve does not have protruding threads (lugs) on its body. Instead, it is a slim, disc-like body that is "sandwiched" or clamped between two pipeline flanges using long bolts that pass through the entire assembly.
Here’s a quick look at its main components:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Body | The slim, central housing that contains the disc and fits between flanges. |
| Disc | The rotating "butterfly" element that controls flow. Can be centered or offset for better performance. |
| Stem | The shaft that connects the disc to the actuator and transmits the turning force. |
| Seat | The inner lining (often made of elastomers like EPDM or Viton) that creates a tight seal against the disc when closed. |
| Actuator | The device used to turn the stem (e.g., manual lever, gearbox, or automated electric/pneumatic unit). |
The wafer-style construction is chosen for specific, powerful reasons that make it a go-to solution for many applications:
Lightweight and Compact: With its slim profile, it adds minimal length and weight to a piping system. This saves space and makes installation easier, especially in tight spots.
Cost-Effective: It requires less material to manufacture than lug or full-body valves and uses fewer bolts to install, leading to lower overall cost.
Easy Installation and Maintenance: Being sandwiched between flanges simplifies installation. Maintenance often involves simply removing the flange bolts to access the internals.
Low Pressure Drop: When fully open, the disc presents minimal obstruction to the flow, ensuring efficient system operation.
Quick Operation: The quarter-turn operation allows for very fast opening and closing.
Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of industries and media:
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