Butterfly Valves, Check Valves, Globe Valves, and Gate Valves: Practical Considerations for Use

Precautions for Butterfly Valves

Butterfly valves are super popular in medium and low-pressure big pipes. They have a simple build and open or close real quick. But, setting them up right and using them properly is key to make them work great.

Installation Considerations:

· Most butterfly valves handle flow both ways. But some eccentric ones need a specific flow direction.  

· Make sure nothing blocks the valve disc’s spin, like pipe supports or nearby gear.

· For wafer-type butterfly valves, both flanges need to be lined up straight and match the valve’s length exactly.

· Tighten bolts evenly to avoid wonky stress.

· For flanged types, keep the sealing surface clean. Pick gaskets that fit the fluid—PTFE for corrosive stuff or metal gaskets for hot temps.

Operational Guidelines:

· Manual butterfly valves should be opened or closed slowly. Fast moves can cause water hammer from sudden flow changes.

· For electric or pneumatic ones, set open/close times to 5–30 seconds. Add buffering in control systems for smooth action.

· Don’t keep butterfly valves half-open (like 15°–75°) for long. It can wear out or shake the valve disc.

· In high-pressure setups, especially triple-eccentric metal seal types, check the disc seals tight before use. A manual pre-tighten might stop leaks.

Limitations:

· Butterfly valves aren’t great for super high-pressure (PN ≥ 4.0MPa) or super hot (≥400℃) fluids. They also struggle with thick or gritty fluids over long periods.

· For food or medical uses, go for sanitary-grade versions with stainless steel bodies and silicone seals.

Precautions for Check Valves

Check valves are awesome for stopping fluid from flowing backward in pipes. They’re key for keeping systems safe.

Installation Considerations:

· Follow the arrow on the valve body. It must match the fluid’s flow direction. Wrong setup can mess things up or break the valve with backflow pressure.

· At pump outlets, put check valves after gate or butterfly valves, closer to the pump. This helps during fixes.

· Keep a gap of at least three pipe diameters between the pump and check valve. This cuts down water hammer effects.

· Use lift check valves for upward flow in vertical pipes. Swing check valves work better on horizontal lines with less resistance.

Selection Based on Media:

· For steam or hot fluids, use swing check valves with stainless steel or alloy seats.

· Avoid lift types in dirty fluids like sewage—they clog easy. Go for swing types with tough linings instead.

Operational Guidelines:

· Don’t use check valves where pumps open and close a lot. Fast cycling wears out discs and seats quick.

· To dodge water hammer from sudden pump stops, use slow-closing check valves or add dampers.

Precautions for Globe Valves

Globe valves use a disc moving up and down against a seat to seal tight. They’re great for fine-tuning flow in small to medium pipes.

Installation Considerations:

· Fluid should go in under the disc and out above. Wrong direction messes up sealing.

· Leave enough space above for manual globe valve stems, which pop up when opened.

· For flanged connections, use gaskets that match the job—metal spiral-wound for steam, PTFE for corrosive stuff.

· Tighten bolts evenly to stop gasket leaks from uneven pressure.

Operational Guidelines:

· Turn handwheels slow. Fast moves can bang the disc into the seat, harming sealing surfaces.

· High speeds there wear out surfaces fast.

Maintenance Requirements:

· If the stem leaks, tighten packing gland bolts a bit. Replace packing if it keeps leaking.

· Fix worn seats or discs by grinding. Test pressure after repairs to ensure no leaks.

Limitations:

· Don’t use globe valves on big pipes (>DN200). Their high flow resistance wastes energy.

· They’re not good for thick or gritty fluids like crude oil or slurry. These can jam the stem or hurt seating surfaces.

Precautions for Gate Valves

Gate valves are best for full-open or full-close jobs, not for tweaking flow.

Installation Considerations:

· They handle flow both ways but need space planning. Rising-stem types need room above. Non-rising ones need clear open/closed tags on the body.

· Line up flanges straight during setup. Crooked alignment can twist valve bodies and mess up sealing.

· Pick flange gaskets based on the job—metal ring joints for steam or high-pressure, PTFE for corrosive fluids.

· Check after setup to make sure the gate moves smoothly without sticking.

Operational Guidelines:

· Never leave gate valves half-open. Partial openings let fast fluid jets wear out gate edges quick.

· When turning by hand, stop at full-open or full-close when resistance kicks in. Over-tightening can bend stems or break gates and seats.

Maintenance Requirements:

· Check gate-seat surfaces now and then. Minor wear can be ground out. Bad cases need new parts.

· Clean inside regularly if dealing with dirty fluids like rusty water.

Source the Best Valves for Piping Systems from FLUIDO

Need trusty, top-notch valves for piping systems? FLUIDO has a big lineup of butterfly valves, check valves, globe valves, and gate valves. They’re built to meet high industry standards. With over 20 years making and exporting valves and pipe fittings, FLUIDO guarantees awesome performance and toughness for any job.

Contact Information:
Email: info@fluidovalve.com
Phone: +86 532 88550858
Talk about needs and get a custom solution for any project.

Don’t settle for less—pick FLUIDO for the best valve solutions around!