Have you ever considered whether a butterfly valve is suitable for your piping system design? Or have you experienced leakage or operational difficulties when using a butterfly valve under high pressure, high temperature, or viscous media?

Butterfly valves are widely used in water, gas, steam, and low-pressure piping systems due to their simple structure, lightweight design, quick operation, and cost-effectiveness. However, they are not suitable for all operating conditions. The following situations require caution or avoidance when selecting a butterfly valve:

High-pressure systems

Butterfly valves are generally suitable for medium- to low-pressure applications. In high-pressure pipelines, the valve disc and sealing surface may not withstand the pressure, leading to leakage or valve damage. For high-pressure systems, gate valves or ball valves are more appropriate.

High-temperature environments

High-temperature fluids can cause the butterfly valve’s sealing elements to deform or age, compromising sealing performance. If the pipeline temperature exceeds the valve’s design limits, it is recommended to choose high-temperature-specific valves or metal-to-metal sealed valves.

Applications requiring extremely tight sealing

Although modern butterfly valves have greatly improved sealing performance, they may still be insufficient for zero-leakage or critically controlled leakage scenarios (e.g., hazardous chemicals or precision gas pipelines). Gate valves or ball valves are more suitable in such cases.

Viscous fluids or media containing solid particles

The valve disc of a butterfly valve may not fully cut off viscous fluids when closed, and solid particles can jam the disc, affecting operation. For slurries, pulp, or fluids with high solid content, check valves or other appropriate valve types should be considered.

Conclusion

Butterfly valves are an economical and efficient valve choice; however, in high-pressure, high-temperature, strict-sealing, or complex media conditions, they should be used with caution, or alternative valve types better suited to the application should be selected. Choosing the appropriate valve type not only ensures system safety and reliability but also extends valve service life and reduces maintenance costs.