Butterfly valves are widely used in industries ranging from municipal water treatment to power generation, food processing, and chemical manufacturing. Their compact design, reliable shutoff, and cost-efficiency make them a popular choice for both contractors and plant operators. Yet, not every butterfly valve is suited for every application. Selecting the right type is critical to avoid downtime, premature wear, or costly maintenance.
This guide outlines the three main categories of industrial/commercial butterfly valves—resilient-seated, high-performance, and triple-offset—while also highlighting the advantages of automation with pneumatic and electric actuators.
Types of Butterfly Valves and Their Applications
Resilient-Seated Butterfly Valves
These valves use a disc and elastomer-lined body for bubble-tight shutoff. They are ideal for low- to medium-pressure services such as clean water, HVAC, chemical, and light industrial applications.
Key Advantages:
- Cost-effective and lightweight
- Bubble-tight sealing
- Easy installation and maintenance.
Limitations:
- Not suitable for high-pressure or high-temperature service
- Seat and trim materials must be carefully matched to media
Brand Insight: Asahi-America’s thermoplastic and Nil-Cor’s fiberglass butterfly valves excel in corrosive environments like chemical processing, brine, or plating, where thermoplastics corrosive media and atmospheres better than metal valves, and are lighter weight.
High-Performance (Double-Offset) Butterfly Valves
Designed with a double-offset disc, these valves reduce friction during operation, extending seat life. They are the preferred choice for steam, chemical, oil & gas, and higher-pressure water services.
Key Advantages:
- Handles higher pressures (Class 150–600)
- Fire-safe and metal-seated options available
- Control trims reduce cavitation and noise
- Longer service life under demanding conditions
Limitations:
- Higher cost compared to resilient-seated valves
- Body materials must also be matched to the flowing media
Brand Insight: Delta-T’s 800 Series valves are designed for refineries, power plants, and utilities, offering exotic alloys, fire-safe trim, and bi-directional service capabilities.
Triple-Offset Butterfly Valves (TOVs)
Triple-offset valves feature offsets in the stem, disc, and seat geometry. This torque-seated design eliminates rubbing, reducing wear and providing zero-leakage shutoff. They are often chosen as alternatives to globe valves in severe service.
Key Advantages:
- Zero-leakage performance with metal-to-metal seating
- Field-replaceable body seats and disc rings
- Fire-safe designs tested to API 6FA
- Excellent for steam, hydrocarbon, and aggressive chemical service
Limitations:
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires careful material selection for media compatibility
Brand Insight: Delta-T’s 900 Series triple-offset valves deliver laminated stainless steel/graphite seals, ensuring zero leakage in severe-duty applications.
Selecting the Right Materials
Material selection is as important as valve design. Body, disc, and seat materials must align with the service conditions:
- Metals (stainless steel, aluminum bronze, duplex alloys): high strength, fire-safe, and heat resistant.
– Thermoplastics (PVC, CPVC, PVDF): superior corrosion resistance, lighter weight, and cost-effective. - Composites (Nil-Cor FRP): lightweight, corrosion-proof, and non-conductive—excellent for seawater, chlorine, and aggressive chemicals.
Brand Insight: Nil-Cor FRP valves are particularly effective in offshore, marine, and chemical dosing environments where corrosion resistance and reduced weight are critical.
Industry Standards and Compliance
Valves used in municipal and industrial projects must comply with stringent standards:
- API 609 – Butterfly valve design requirements
- AWWA C504/C516 – Waterworks and wastewater standards
- NSF/ANSI 61 & 372 – Potable water safety and lead compliance
- API 607/6FA – Fire-safe testing requirements
Ensuring compliance avoids regulatory delays and reduces operational risk.
Automating Butterfly Valves with Pneumatic and Electric Actuators
Butterfly valves are among the easiest valves to automate. Adding pneumatic or electric actuators enhances process control, efficiency, and safety.
Key Benefits of Automation:
- Improved Reliability: Automation reduces operator error and ensures repeatable performance.
- Remote Monitoring & Control: Valves can be operated from SCADA or DCS systems.
- Rapid Response: Pneumatic actuators deliver fast cycling for shutdowns and frequent operations.
- Energy Efficiency: Electric actuators provide precise control with low operating costs.
- System Integration: Both actuator types easily tie into PLC and control networks.
Application Example: In water and wastewater facilities, electric actuators automate resilient-seated valves for isolation and modulation. In chemical and power plants, pneumatic actuators pair with high-performance or triple-offset valves for reliable operation under demanding conditions.
RVA provides complete automation packages, including actuator sizing, mounting hardware, and integration support.
Key Takeaways for Operators and Contractors
- Resilient-Seated Valves → Best for water, HVAC, and general service.
- High-Performance Valves → Handle higher pressures, steam, and chemicals.
- Triple-Offset Valves→ Critical shutoff in severe service.
- Material Compatibility → Always match valve materials to media.
- Compliance→ Verify API, AWWA, NSF/ANSI, and AIS/BABA standards.
- Automation → Simplifies operation, improves control, and reduces downtime.
Partner with Raritan Valve & Automation
At Raritan Valve & Automation (RVA), we help operators, contractors, and OEMs select butterfly valves that deliver performance, compliance, and long-term reliability. Our team provides application-driven solutions across leading brands including Delta-T, Asahi-America, and Nil-Cor, supported by complete automation packages.
Contact RVA today Call Us or Email Us
Industrial Butterfly Valves Flyer
DELTA-T RESILIENT-SEATED BUTTERFLY VALVES (SERIES 050/051/650/651)
DELTA-T HIGH-PERFORMANCE (DOUBLE & TRIPLE-OFFSET) BUTTERFLY VALVES
ASAHI-AMERICA THERMOPLASTIC BUTTERFLY VALVES
NIL-COR COMPOSITE BUTTERFLY VALVES
