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What is an AWWA Butterfly Valve and How Does it Work?

A butterfly valve is a type of shut-off valve with a simple design. When the disc is closed, it blocks the valve bore; when it is turned open, it allows flow. A quarter-turn of the valve moves it from fully open to fully closed, or vice versa, and thus the butterfly valve allows for quick opening and closing. Butterfly valves are rotational motion valves with a quarter-turn rotation that are used to stop, regulate, and start flow. A butterfly valve is made up of a disc that is mounted on a rotating shaft. The disc completely blocks the line when the butterfly valve is fully closed. The disc is at a right angle to the flow of gas or liquid when the butterfly valve is fully opened.

Butterfly valves have a wide range of applications, including water supply, wastewater treatment, fire protection, and gas supply, as well as in the chemical and oil industries, fuel handling systems, and power generation. Some of the benefits of this type of valve include its simple construction, which does not take up much space, as well as its lightweight and lower cost when compared to other valve designs.

Butterfly valves are used in the industrial sector to prevent and isolate fluid flow. They are simple to use and extremely effective at halting the flow. Customers prefer them primarily because of their low cost and lightweight. There are various types of butterfly valves available on the market for a wide range of applications and pressures. One of them is the AWWA Butterfly Valve. Butterfly valves from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) are used to shut off clean water and gases. They are intended to have a long life, low headloss, and trouble-free operation. These butterfly valves are extremely adaptable and can be adjusted in any direction.

AWWA butterfly valves are simple to maintain, have a low maintenance cost, and perform admirably even in the most adverse conditions. They ensure the thickness of the shell, torque capabilities, and material of construction before manufacturing these butterfly valves. They are not susceptible to corrosion, which will deposit on the iron valve body as well as the pipe fittings adjacent to it. They make their valves out of thick-walled stainless steel that is corrosion-resistant and smooth.

AWWA butterfly valves are made of ductile or cast iron with stainless steel or rubber seating, and all materials, coatings, and lubricants must be suitable for drinking water use. According to AWWA C504, the section that sets standards for butterfly valves that will be used in water pipes, the valves should be bubble-tight and able to shut off completely. When installing AWWA butterfly valves, flanges must be used. Because these valves come into contact with water, some of which is wastewater or is not yet potable, they must be as sanitary and safe as possible. The materials aid in the prevention of rust formation and water contamination. AWWA butterfly valves have been used in virtually every situation where water could be consumed. AWWA valves are always operable since they are accurately machined to prevent sticking, which is a very appealing feature.

How does AWWA Butterfly Valves Work? 

A butterfly valve is designed to operate in the most adverse conditions and to perform well in high-stress situations. Regardless of fluid direction, the edge of the discs will always be a little bit upstream, which is good in worst-case scenarios. These valves are very short and precise, which is why they are commonly used in industrial applications.

They are regarded as extremely dependable and effective, and they do not necessitate routine maintenance. They can be operated in all modes, including manually, automatically, and pneumatically. Because automatic valves are long-lasting, they contribute to lower operational costs. A variety of materials are used in the construction of the AWWA butterfly valve to ensure that it performs optimally. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Carbon steel is preferred for the manufacture of the valve and seat because it provides customers with cost-effective solutions.

Carbon steel only has a major disadvantage: it corrodes easily. However, this is easily remedied by painting its surface. These butterfly valves can also be made of stainless steel. There are numerous stainless steel versions available on the market, including austenitic, duplex, ferritic, and many others. These valves’ low maintenance and operational costs extend their life-cycle and save customers’ time, which is typically lost during maintenance.

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What is an AWWA Butterfly Valve and How Does it Work?

by Piping Mart time to read: 3 min