Use of Butterfly Valves in the Food and Beverage Industry
The food and beverage industry centers on hygiene, safety, durability, and process efficiency throughout all production processes. Every piece of equipment used in this sector must have a material structure suitable for food contact, an easily cleanable design, and surface properties that eliminate microbiological risks, as it is directly related to human health. At this point, butterfly valves have become one of the indispensable flow control elements in the food industry due to their compact structure, hygienic design, easy-to-clean surface, and high sealing properties.
Importance of Hygienic Design
Valves used in food production lines must comply with special standards in terms of surface smoothness, gasket material, and body structure since they come into direct contact with the product. Butterfly valves are resistant to corrosion due to their stainless steel (AISI 304 or AISI 316) body structure and do not create an environment for bacterial growth. Additionally, when equipped with EPDM, NBR, or PTFE gaskets, they provide sealing in areas that come into contact with food and prevent microbiological contamination.
These features make butterfly valves compatible with CIP (Cleaning in Place) and SIP (Sterilization in Place) systems. Thus, automatic cleaning can be performed within the pipeline without the need to stop the system, offering significant advantages in terms of both time and cost.
Areas of Use
Butterfly valves are at the center of many processes in the food sector.
• Milk and dairy product production: Used for flow control in pasteurization, homogenization, and filling lines.
• Juice and beverage production: Ensures the correct proportions of juice mixtures are delivered in lines operating at high temperatures.
• Beer and wine industry: Stainless-bodied butterfly valves are preferred for use in fermentation tanks and filling lines.
• Drinking water systems: Models with EPDM gaskets provide hygienic and reliable performance in drinking water lines.
• Vegetable oil, vinegar, and sauce production: Offers long-lasting use against acidic or oily fluids thanks to high chemical resistance gaskets.
These examples demonstrate that butterfly valves play a critical role not only in flow control but also in maintaining product quality.
Product Safety and Sealing
In the food industry, sealing is important not only for preventing product loss but also for preventing contamination. Truevalve's PTFE gasketed wafer type butterfly valves provide sealing even at temperatures up to 180°C. This offers high performance, especially in hot filling or sterilization lines.
Moreover, thanks to the double-sided sealing feature, flow can be controlled from both directions of the pipeline. This increases system flexibility and allows the valves to be used at different process points.
Energy Efficiency and Automation-Compatible Structure
Modern food facilities use integrated solutions with automation systems to increase production efficiency. Butterfly valves can be easily automated with pneumatic or electric actuators. This minimizes human intervention while ensuring precise control of the flow.
Additionally, the low torque operation of butterfly valves reduces energy consumption and lowers maintenance costs in the long run. They save space during installation compared to other valve types, providing an ergonomic layout advantage in production facilities.
Ease of Maintenance and Longevity
Production in the food industry must continue uninterrupted. Therefore, the maintenance time of the equipment used should be minimal. In lug type butterfly valves, the valve can be removed, inspected, or replaced without completely draining the system. This significantly shortens maintenance times.
Furthermore, due to the high-quality material structure, wear resistance is high, and the lifespan of the valve is long. These features increase the preference rate of butterfly valves in food facilities.
In the food and beverage industry, butterfly valves stand out with advantages such as hygienic design, sealing, durability, and energy efficiency. In many sub-sectors such as milk, beverage, beer, wine, and juice production, they are one of the most suitable solutions for ensuring flow control and process safety.
Models with stainless bodies and PTFE gaskets from brands like Truevalve provide long-lasting and safe performance under the challenging conditions of the food industry. This way, both product quality is preserved and operational efficiency is increased.
The Role of Butterfly Valves in the Automotive Sector
The automotive industry is an engineering-focused sector that stands out with complex production processes, high-temperature operating lines, and continuous quality control requirements. All equipment used in this sector must have a quick response time, durability, energy efficiency, and process control precision. Butterfly valves have become one of the indispensable flow control elements in the automotive sector due to their ability to offer these features together.
Flow Control in Production Lines
Automotive production consists of many different stages such as painting, bodywork, assembly, testing, and surface processing. During these processes, the flow of liquids, gases, and air must be managed safely.
Butterfly valves provide ideal solutions in these types of lines due to their compact designs and low pressure loss characteristics. They stand out with high control capability, especially in cooling water circuits, paint spraying systems, air lines, and vacuum systems.
Thanks to their rotating disc structure within the pipeline, the flow rate can be adjusted to the desired level, ensuring consistency in painting or coating systems. This feature is critical for surface quality and uniform coating in automotive production.
Material Durability and Application Areas
The fluids used in automotive facilities include oil, solvents, water, air, chemical cleaners, and heat transfer fluids. Therefore, the material structure of butterfly valves must have high chemical resistance and temperature resistance.
Truevalve butterfly valves with GGG40 or GG25 cast iron bodies offer a robust structure in terms of mechanical durability. The AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel used in the flap section provides long-lasting performance against corrosion and chemical wear.
Additionally, PTFE, EPDM, or VITON seals provide excellent sealing in paint and drying lines that require high temperature and chemical resistance. This prevents paint particles and solvent vapors from leaking out, ensuring both environmental safety and workplace hygiene.
Usage in Paint Shops and Test Lines
Automotive painting facilities are environments that require high temperature and chemical resistance. Valves used in sections such as paint booths, drying ovens, and solvent lines must demonstrate stable performance against both pressure and temperature changes.
Butterfly valves can be easily controlled with pneumatic or electric actuators due to their low torque operation. This allows for seamless integration into automation systems in paint lines. Actuated butterfly valves provide energy savings and material efficiency by adjusting the flow rate in real-time according to sensor data.
Moreover, the compact structure of the valve body offers ease of installation in tight spaces. This is particularly advantageous in multi-story or modular production systems.
Energy Efficiency and Pressure Balancing
Energy management in automotive factories is a factor that directly affects total production costs. Butterfly valves reduce energy consumption thanks to their low friction coefficient and minimal pressure loss. Controlled redirection of flow prevents energy losses in both heat exchange systems and air circuits.
Wafer-type butterfly valves are ideal for balancing flow and controlling pressure, especially in water cooling systems. These types of valves instantly balance pressure changes within the line, ensuring stable operation of the system. This prolongs the lifespan of heat exchangers, pumps, and compressors.
Integration into Automation Systems
Modern automotive facilities operate with automation systems compliant with Industry 4.0 standards. In these systems, flow control, temperature, and pressure monitoring are entirely sensor-based. Butterfly valves can operate in full compatibility with these digital systems.
Pneumatic and electric actuated models can be connected to PLC or SCADA systems for remote control. This allows the operator to monitor the status of all valves on the production line through a single interface and intervene in real-time when necessary.
Butterfly valves used in the automotive industry play a critical role not only in flow control but also in production safety, quality standardization, and system optimization.
Maintenance and Operational Advantages
Downtime in automotive facilities significantly increases production costs. Therefore, it is very important that maintenance and replacement operations can be performed quickly. Lug-type butterfly valves allow for maintenance without completely shutting down the system since they can be disassembled independently from both sides.
Additionally, the modular structure of butterfly valves facilitates part replacement. Operations such as seal or shaft replacement can be completed in a short time. This ensures continuity in the production line and minimizes unplanned downtimes.
Thanks to durable body materials and low maintenance requirements, butterfly valves also provide long-term cost advantages in automotive facilities.
Butterfly Valves in Marine Applications
The maritime sector is a working environment dominated by challenging environmental conditions such as high humidity, salinity, and variable temperatures. Therefore, the corrosion resistance, sealing performance, and mechanical durability of the equipment used must be at a high level. Butterfly valves are one of the frequently preferred types of valves in marine applications due to their compact and reliable structures that meet these requirements.
Resistance to Harsh Environmental Conditions
Butterfly valves used in lines exposed to seawater offer high corrosion resistance, especially with stainless steel (AISI 304 – AISI 316) or nickel-plated flap options. This structure prevents oxidation and surface deformation caused by saltwater, ensuring long-lasting use.
Additionally, models with PTFE or VITON seals provide excellent sealing performance against seawater and oily fluids. This minimizes energy losses and potential leakage risks in ship systems.
Applications in Ship Systems
Butterfly valves can be used versatilely in different sections of marine vessels.
• Cooling systems: They provide flow control in engine and generator cooling circuits.
• Ballast systems: They facilitate quick and safe water transfer.
• Bilge lines: They are preferred for liquid discharge in the lower sections of the ship.
• Fire extinguishing systems: They offer reliable control in emergencies thanks to their quick open-close feature.
Their compact structure allows for installation in tight spaces, making maintenance easier in ship machinery. This feature has made butterfly valves common in both commercial and military vessels.
Reliable Performance and Cost-Effectiveness
In marine systems, wafer and lug-type butterfly valves provide high efficiency due to their low torque operation and easy integration into automation systems. These valves, which can be controlled with pneumatic or electric actuators, work in harmony with modern ship automation systems.
With long lifespan, low maintenance costs, and high reliability, butterfly valves are ideal solutions preferred in various areas of the maritime sector, such as cooling, heating, flow control, and fire safety.
Butterfly Valves in HVAC Systems
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems are complex installations used to maintain the balance of heating, cooling, and ventilation in modern buildings. In these systems, the direction, flow rate, and pressure of the fluid must be continuously controlled. Butterfly valves are one of the most suitable solutions for both flow control and pressure balancing in such applications.
Efficiency and Energy Savings
The aim in HVAC systems is to maintain comfort conditions with maximum energy efficiency. Butterfly valves reduce the overall energy consumption of the system thanks to their low torque requirements and low pressure loss. These valves precisely regulate water and air flow, enhancing heating and cooling efficiency.
Additionally, pneumatic or electric actuated butterfly valves compatible with automation systems can be integrated into building management systems, providing centralized control. This way, flow, pressure, and temperature balance are automatically optimized.
Application Areas
Butterfly valves can be used at almost every stage of HVAC systems.
• Chiller lines: Controls the circulation of cooling water.
• Heating circuits: Ensures controlled flow of hot water.
• Fan-coil systems: Provides regional temperature control.
• Boiler and exchanger lines: Optimizes energy transfer.
In these application areas, wafer-type butterfly valves with EPDM or NBR seals are generally preferred. These seals maintain leak-proof performance even at high temperatures and long-term operations.
Compact Structure and Easy Installation
HVAC installations are often set up in tight spaces; therefore, valve size and ease of installation are important. Butterfly valves can be easily mounted in narrow shafts or behind walls due to their more compact and lightweight design compared to other valve types.
Additionally, the wafer-type connection system shortens installation time and allows for quick replacement of the valve during maintenance.
Low Maintenance Needs and Long Lifespan
One of the reasons butterfly valves are preferred in HVAC systems is their long-lasting use and minimal maintenance requirements. The rotary disc design reduces friction and extends the lifespan of the seals. Thus, the valve can operate for years without performance loss.
Moreover, models with GGG40 bodies and AISI304 discs from quality manufacturers like Truevalve offer high durability up to 16 bar pressure, ensuring safe performance in both residential and industrial HVAC systems.
Butterfly Valves in the Petrochemical and Pharmaceutical Industries
The petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries are known for their production environments that require high temperature, pressure, and chemical resistance. Equipment used in these areas must have high chemical resistance and provide complete sealing to guarantee process safety. Butterfly valves are among the essential flow control elements in these two sectors due to their designs that meet these requirements and their variety of materials.
Chemical Resistance and Material Selection
In petrochemical facilities, acid, solvent, fuel, gas, and oil-based fluids are transported. Therefore, the body, shaft, and seal of the valves must exhibit high resistance to these chemicals.
Butterfly valves with PTFE (Teflon) seals are ideal for such fluids due to their inert structures against chemical reactions. Additionally, VITON or NBR seals also offer long-lasting use in aggressive environments.
GGG40 or AISI316 stainless steel used as body material enhances corrosion resistance. These features minimize the risk of deformation of the valve under high temperature and pressure.
Process Safety and Sealing
In petrochemical processes, even the smallest leak can pose serious safety risks. Therefore, butterfly valves are preferred for their double-sided sealing and high pressure resistance.
Pneumatic or electric actuated models controlled by automation systems manage the flow precisely without the need for operator intervention. This minimizes human error and enhances process safety.
Additionally, flame-retardant and explosion-proof (ATEX certified) models guarantee safe operation in explosive environments.
Hygiene and Precision in Pharmaceutical Production
Valves used in the pharmaceutical industry are critical not only for durability but also for sterility. In this field, butterfly valves with AISI316L stainless steel bodies and polished surfaces are preferred.
These valves ensure complete hygiene in lines where sterile fluids (such as water for injection, steam, or solutions) pass through. They are also compatible with CIP/SIP systems, allowing for cleaning without stopping production.
Thanks to their precise sealing and low friction properties, product loss is minimized during dosing, mixing, and transfer operations in pharmaceutical production.
Industrial Efficiency and Automation
In both sectors, production lines operate at a high level of automation. When equipped with actuators that can be integrated into SCADA or DCS systems, butterfly valves provide remote monitoring and control capabilities. This increases process continuity and facilitates maintenance planning.
Due to their durability, chemical resistance, and compatibility with automation, butterfly valves are considered the intersection of efficiency, safety, and hygiene in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Butterfly Valves in Metal and Heavy Industry
Metal processing and heavy industry facilities have process lines that operate in high temperature, pressure, and abrasive environments. The mechanical durability, heat resistance, and long-lasting performance of the equipment used in these systems are extremely important. Butterfly valves are widely used in metal and heavy industry areas, providing safe and efficient flow control under these conditions.
Design Suitable for Harsh Process Conditions
In metal processing lines, hot water, steam, compressed air, oil, and various chemicals are typically transported. Therefore, the body and disc material of butterfly valves must be of high strength.
GGG40 or GG25 ductile iron body structure prevents deformation in such high-pressure and high-temperature environments. AISI304 or AISI316 stainless steel discs provide resistance to wear and corrosion.
Thanks to this material combination, butterfly valves can safely operate at pressures up to 16 bar and temperatures between 120–180 °C. This ensures both stability in production lines and extends equipment lifespan.
Application Areas
Butterfly valves are used in various sections within metal and heavy industry:
• Foundries: Provides flow control in melting furnaces and cooling water systems.
• Iron and steel plants: Preferred in compressed air lines and heat exchange systems.
• Machine manufacturing lines: Ensures sealing in hydraulic and lubrication circuits.
• Industrial furnace systems: Regulates gas and air flows at high temperatures.
This diversity demonstrates how versatile butterfly valves are in heavy industry applications.
Durability and Low Maintenance Requirements
In heavy industry environments, equipment is constantly exposed to high loads. Butterfly valves offer low maintenance needs even during long-term operations due to their simple mechanical structures. The rotary disc design minimizes friction, preventing wear of the seals.
Additionally, the lug type connection system allows maintenance to be performed without completely shutting down the system. This provides a significant advantage in terms of maintaining production continuity.
Automation and Efficiency
In modern heavy industry facilities, butterfly valves can be connected to automation systems with pneumatic or electric actuators. This allows for flow control without operator intervention, reducing the risk of errors in processes.
Butterfly valves, which are advantageous both economically and in terms of performance, offer durability, safety, and energy efficiency in metal processing and production lines.
Butterfly Valves in Energy Production and Cogeneration Systems
Energy production facilities are complex systems consisting of high temperature, pressure, and continuously operating fluid lines. All components used in these facilities must demonstrate top-level performance in terms of sealing, durability, and high efficiency. Butterfly valves are commonly preferred in power plants, cogeneration systems, and heat recovery lines due to their structures that meet these requirements.
High Temperature and Pressure Compatibility
In energy production systems, temperatures typically range between 100–180 °C. The durability of the gasket, shaft, and body in valves operating under these conditions is critically important.
Butterfly valves with PTFE (Teflon) and VITON seals maintain sealing even at high temperatures, ensuring system safety. The casting materials used in the body, such as GGG40 or GG25, exhibit high resistance to thermal expansion.
These features provide long-lasting use, especially in steam lines, hot water circuits, and heat exchanger connections.
Use in Cogeneration and Heat Recovery Systems
Cogeneration systems are facilities that increase energy efficiency by simultaneously providing both electricity and heat production. In these systems, the flow must be directed at the correct rate, and pressure balance must be maintained.
Butterfly valves are preferred in such systems due to their ability to be controlled with low torque and their double-directional sealing feature. When rapid redirection of fluid is required in heat recovery lines, butterfly valves stand out with their quick response times.
Automation and Remote Control Capability
Processes in energy facilities must be managed by automatic systems instead of manual control. Butterfly valves can be easily integrated into automation with pneumatic or electric actuators.
This allows the valve position to be monitored remotely, flow adjustments to be made digitally, and system safety to be enhanced. Automation-compatible butterfly valves provide precise control and optimal efficiency in energy management.
Energy Efficiency and Ease of Maintenance
Reducing operating costs in the energy sector is as important as increasing efficiency. Butterfly valves reduce energy consumption in the system due to their low pressure loss and compact design. Additionally, since the friction surface is minimal, seals wear out more slowly, extending maintenance intervals.
With these features, butterfly valves provide long-lasting, safe, and economical flow control in energy production facilities. They stand out as high-performance valve solutions in both conventional energy production lines and cogeneration systems.
Butterfly Valves in the Textile Industry
The textile industry is a sector where temperature, pressure, and chemical control are of great importance at every stage of the production process. Fluid management in dyeing, finishing, washing, and drying processes must be done very precisely. Butterfly valves create a reliable control mechanism in textile production lines by providing durability, sealing, and energy efficiency in these processes.
High Temperature and Chemical Resistance
Fluids used in textile production generally consist of high-temperature water, steam, and various chemical solutions. These environments create high pressure on the seals and bodies of the valves.
Butterfly valves with PTFE (Teflon) and VITON seals show excellent resistance to these chemicals and heat. Additionally, bodies made of GGG40 or AISI316 stainless steel prevent deformation in long-term operations and provide sealing even at high temperatures.
Thus, butterfly valves offer long-lasting and safe use in both dyeing lines and steam circuits.
Application Areas
In the textile sector, butterfly valves play a role at many stages:
• Dyeing lines: Control the flow rate of dye mixtures.
• Finishing and washing lines: Ensure that chemical liquids flow at the desired pressure.
• Steam circuits: Provide leak-proof flow for temperature control.
• Drying systems: Offer efficient flow management in heat transfer lines.
Pneumatic or gearbox butterfly valves used in these areas allow the operator to adjust the flow precisely.
Energy Efficiency and Automation Compatibility
Energy costs in textile production facilities are quite high. Therefore, the efficient operation of systems is of great importance. Butterfly valves reduce energy consumption due to their low pressure loss and easy opening-closing mechanism.
Additionally, actuated butterfly valves can be integrated into automation systems, allowing for the digital control of the production process. This enables real-time monitoring of temperature, pressure, and flow values, standardizing production quality.
Ease of Maintenance and Long Life
The simple structure of butterfly valves offers easy maintenance and quick replacement opportunities in textile lines. Lug type connected models can be changed without completely draining the system; this preserves production continuity.
Thanks to their long-lasting material structure, the risk of wear and deformation is minimized. In this respect, butterfly valves provide economic solutions that both increase operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs in textile facilities.
Butterfly Valves in Water Treatment and Distribution Systems
Water treatment and distribution systems consist of continuously operating high-flow lines, and precise flow control is necessary for the safe and efficient management of the system. Valves used in such facilities must demonstrate high performance in terms of sealing, durability, and longevity. Butterfly valves are widely used in both drinking water and industrial water treatment applications by offering these features together.
Flow Control in Large-Diameter Lines
In water treatment systems, large diameter pipes are generally used. Having valves that will be installed inside these pipes to be both lightweight and compact provides a significant advantage.
Butterfly valves provide excellent flow control in such systems due to their low pressure loss and quick opening-closing feature. The flow can be instantly cut off or regulated by rotating the disc 90°.
Additionally, butterfly valves can operate independently of the direction of water flow, allowing them to be used in both inlet and outlet directions. This provides installation flexibility and practicality in system design.
Usage in Treatment and Distribution Lines
Butterfly valves play a role in different stages of water treatment and distribution systems:
• Filtration lines: They provide flow control at the filter inlet-outlet.
• Storage tanks: They are used to adjust the water level and direction.
• Pump stations: They optimize pump performance by maintaining pressure balance.
• Network lines: They offer leak-proof flow management in main distribution pipes.
In these areas, wafer-type butterfly valves with EPDM seals are generally preferred. EPDM provides hygienic and reliable use due to its material structure suitable for drinking water.
Durability and Long Life
Since water treatment systems typically operate continuously for 24 hours, the valves used must have a long lifespan. Butterfly valves with GGG40 or GG25 cast bodies can operate under high pressure in these conditions.
Additionally, the stainless steel shaft and disc structure eliminates the risk of corrosion. This allows the valves to be used for many years without performance loss.
Automation and Ease of Maintenance
In modern water treatment facilities, butterfly valves are integrated into automatic control systems with pneumatic or electric actuators. This allows the direction, pressure, and flow of water to be monitored and adjusted remotely.
From a maintenance perspective, lug-type connected valves can be replaced without completely stopping the line. This feature, especially in large-scale water networks, reduces maintenance times and increases operational efficiency.
With their compact design, low cost, high durability, and complete leak-proofing, butterfly valves stand out as safe, economical, and long-lasting flow control solutions in water treatment and distribution systems.
Conclusion
Butterfly valves are effectively used in almost every field of the industry due to their versatile structures, compact designs, and high-performance material options. They offer the same fundamental advantages in various conditions, from food and beverage production to power plants, petrochemicals, and the textile sector: leak-proofing, durability, easy maintenance, and low energy loss.
While each sector has its unique requirements, butterfly valves can adapt to these needs with both wafer and lug-type connection alternatives. With sealing options such as EPDM, NBR, PTFE, and VITON, they can safely operate in environments requiring both high temperature and chemical resistance. Additionally, their easy integration with pneumatic and electric actuators offers remote control and monitoring capabilities in modern industrial systems.
Another significant advantage of butterfly valves is their low installation cost and minimal maintenance requirements. Their compact structures allow them to be used in tight spaces, systems can be changed without stopping, and they offer a long operational lifespan. With these features, butterfly valves enhance operational performance by increasing both production continuity and energy efficiency.
In conclusion, butterfly valves are not just a flow control equipment; they are one of the fundamental building blocks of industrial systems that provide a balance of efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Thanks to durable models from quality manufacturers like Truevalve, butterfly valves continue to be one of the best choices for any business seeking reliable flow control and long-lasting solutions in modern facilities.