Wafer-type butterfly valves – find manufacturers and suppliers

Wafer-type butterfly valves are compact, space-saving shut-off and control valves that are installed between two flanges of a pipeline. (wafer mounting).

Instead of having its own housing with flange connections, the valve lies flat between the pipe flanges.

The following is an overview of the function, types and actuator types of wafer-type butterfly valves, their use and their advantages:

How wafer-type butterfly valves work:

Due to their simple design, wafer dampers are light, compact and quick to operate.

1. The wafer-type butterfly valve consists of a ring-shaped housing (or sealing body), a central shaft and a butterfly disk.
2. When the shaft is turned (manually or automatically), the disk moves from the open to the closed position.
3. In the open position, it provides a large free cross-section; in the closed position, it reliably seals the medium.
4. Seals in the housing (usually elastic liners) prevent leaks.

Types of wafer-type butterfly valves:

There are various designs based on the medium, pressure rating and sealing requirements:

1. Soft-seated wafer butterfly valves:
   With elastic seat seals, e.g. EPDM, NBR, PTFE.
   Suitable for water, air, neutral liquids, weak chemicals and low to medium pressure ratings.
2. Metal-seated wafer butterfly valves:
   With metallic seat rings for higher temperatures, pressures or abrasive media.
   Ideal for steam, hot water, oils or process gases.
3. Centered (concentric) butterfly valves:
   Standard design with shaft and disc in the center of the body.
   Universal for many media.
4. Eccentric (double or triple) butterfly valves:
   For higher pressure or temperature: the disc is mounted eccentrically to minimize friction and wear.
   Triple eccentric butterfly valves are particularly tight and durable, even with difficult media.

Drive types of wafer-type butterfly valves:

1. Manual with hand lever or hand wheel.
2. Pneumatic for fast, automated processes.
3. Electric for precise control and integration into control systems.

Use of wafer-type butterfly valves:

These valves are widely used in very many industries:

1. Water and wastewater technology:
Shut-off and control of drinking water, process water and waste water.

2. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology (HVAC):
Control of cold and hot water, in cooling circuits and in air ducts.

3. Chemical and petrochemical industry:
Control of process fluids, gases and vapors.
The dampers here are usually made of corrosion-resistant materials.

4. Food and pharmaceutical industry:
For hygienic media with appropriate material selection.

5. Shipbuilding and offshore:
Control of ballast water, cooling circuits and fuel lines.

6. Fire extinguishing and fire protection systems:
For rapid shut-off of extinguishing water or sprinkler systems.

7. General plant engineering:
wherever space, weight and costs play a role.

Advantages of wafer-type butterfly valves:

• Compact design: No separate flange housing, therefore very space-saving.
• Low weight: Ideal for systems with limited space or weight restrictions (e.g. shipbuilding).
• Simple installation: Simply clamped and screwed between two flanges.
• Quick operation: 90° turn to open or close.
• Cost-effective: Less expensive than many other valves, especially for large nominal sizes.
• Versatile: Suitable for liquids, gases, vapors and numerous media.
• Can be automated: Can easily be equipped with pneumatic or electric actuators.
• Low pressure loss: When open, the disk offers only low flow resistance.
• Low maintenance: Few moving parts, replaceable seals.

Wafer-type butterfly valves are universal, compact and economical shut-off and control valves that are suitable for a wide range of media and operating conditions. They offer a combination of space saving, easy installation, fast actuation and low cost, making them one of the most popular types of butterfly valves in plant engineering.By selecting the appropriate design - soft-seated, metal-seated, concentric or eccentric - wafer butterfly valves can be optimally matched to the medium, pressure and temperature.

Here is an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when purchasing wafer-type butterfly valves:

Purchasing Wafer-type butterfly valves requires a sound understanding of the technical requirements, standards and economic aspects. Errors in the selection process can have a negative impact not only on operational safety, but also on the service life and efficiency of the entire system.

• Before making a selection, the exact medium flowing through the butterfly valve must be defined - whether water, chemicals, oils, gases or abrasive substances.
• The temperature, pressure and chemical composition of the medium are decisive for the material and seal selection.
• For aggressive media, for example, stainless steel, PTFE or special elastomer seals are required.
• The valve must be designed for the intended operating pressure and maximum operating temperature.
• Standards such as PN (Pressure Nominal) or ANSI Class provide binding guide values.
• Oversizing can drive up costs, while undersizing leads to safety risks.
• The body of the wafer-type butterfly valve is often made of cast iron, ductile iron, stainless steel or special alloys. The choice depends on corrosion resistance, weight, temperature and pressure resistance. The choice of shaft, seat ring and disk must also be compatible with the medium.
• The seals are often the weakest link in the valve. They must be both chemically and thermally resistant.
• Elastomers such as EPDM, NBR or Viton are suitable for different media, while PTFE is used for very aggressive chemicals.
• It is also important that seals can be replaced during servicing.
• Wafer-type butterfly valves are mounted between two flanges and must comply with the flange standards of the system (DIN, EN, ANSI).
• Tolerances, centering and sealing surfaces must be checked. The weight and installation length can also be decisive if space is limited.
• Actuation can be manual via hand lever, gearbox or automated via pneumatic, electric or hydraulic drive.
• In automated systems, the interface to control systems, e.g. positioners, limit switches, positioners, must be taken into account.
• Professional purchasing means considering not only the purchase, but also the maintenance.
• Wafer-type butterfly valves should be designed to be easy to maintain and spare parts such as seals, drives and bearings should be readily available.
• The supplier should offer appropriate services.
• Wafer-type butterfly valves should be tested and certified in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines, e.g. DIN EN 593, PED, TA Luft, FDA.
• This not only increases operational safety, but is also mandatory in many industries such as chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals.
• The reliability of the manufacturer or distributor is a key criterion. References, quality management systems (ISO 9001) and test certificates should be available.
• A trustworthy partner can also provide advice on technical issues and support with individual solutions.
• Not only the purchase price is important, but also the total cost of ownership.
• High-quality wafer-type butterfly valves with a longer service life and lower maintenance costs can be cheaper in the long term.

The purchase of Wafer-type butterfly valves is a complex process that goes far beyond mere price considerations. A precise analysis of the area of application, the right choice of materials and seals, consideration of standards and actuation types as well as a forward-looking view of maintenance and spare parts supply are crucial. Those who systematically check these factors not only ensure the operational safety and efficiency of their system, but also save costs in the long term and minimize the risk of failure.

Wafer-type butterfly valves can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Wafer-type butterfly valves around the world on Exportpages.