Butterfly Valves for Water & Wastewater Systems

Potable Water

Potable-water distribution systems require reliable isolation, low pressure loss and wetted materials suitable for drinking-water service.

Typical applications include:

• water treatment plant outlets;

• drinking-water transmission mains;

• municipal distribution networks;

• reservoir connections;

• pumping stations;

• storage facilities.

For general potable-water service, BZVF's Concentric Rubber Seated Butterfly Valve provides a compact and economical solution.

The valve uses a resilient seat and concentric disc configuration, offering bidirectional sealing and low operating torque.

For larger pipeline diameters or higher pressure duties, Double Offset Soft Seated Butterfly Valves can provide reduced seat wear and improved long-term performance.

Where drinking-water approvals or specific coating requirements apply, these should be included in the project specification so that the appropriate materials and coating system can be selected.

Raw Water

Raw-water systems transport untreated water from sources such as:

• rivers;

• lakes;

• reservoirs;

• wells;

• intake structures.

Raw water may contain sediment, sand, organic material and other suspended solids.

For relatively clean raw water, concentric or double offset butterfly valves can provide reliable isolation.

Where solids or abrasion are more significant, BZVF can evaluate rubber-lined configurations or upgraded disc and seat materials.

For large intake and transmission pipelines, double offset butterfly valves are particularly suitable because their eccentric geometry reduces seat friction and operating torque.

Water Treatment Plants

Water treatment plants use valves throughout intake, clarification, filtration, chemical dosing, backwash and treated-water systems.

Typical services include:

• raw water;

• settled water;

• filtered water;

• treated water;

• backwash water;

• chemical process water;

• air systems;

• sludge lines.

Different valve designs may be appropriate within the same plant.

Concentric butterfly valves provide an economical solution for many clean-water applications.

Double offset butterfly valves are well suited to larger-diameter or more demanding isolation duties.

Rubber-lined valves can be selected where chemicals, solids or abrasion are present.

Hydraulic butterfly valves can be used in major plant pumping or transmission systems requiring controlled actuation.

Water Transmission Pipelines

Large-diameter water transmission is one of the applications where butterfly valves provide the greatest advantages.

Compared with many alternative isolation-valve types, butterfly valves offer:

• compact face-to-face dimensions;

• lower weight;

• relatively low operating torque;

• suitability for very large pipe diameters;

• multiple actuator options;

• efficient installation and maintenance.

BZVF manufactures double offset and hydraulic butterfly valves up to DN4000 for applicable pressure ranges.

For major transmission pipelines, we evaluate:

• nominal diameter;

• design pressure;

• operating pressure;

• maximum differential pressure;

• flow velocity;

• hydrodynamic disc torque;

• shaft strength;

• actuator torque;

• valve closing time;

• pipeline surge;

• installation orientation.

This engineering becomes increasingly important as valve size and system flow increase.

Pumping Stations

Pumping stations require reliable isolation and careful control of valve movement.

Applications include:

• raw-water pumping;

• treated-water pumping;

• booster stations;

• wastewater pumping;

• irrigation systems;

• industrial water stations.

Rapid changes in flow can create hydraulic surges, especially when pumps start, stop or trip unexpectedly.

BZVF Hydraulic Control Butterfly Valves are engineered for large pumping systems where direct hydraulic actuation, high operating force and controlled opening or closing are required.

Hydraulic actuation can also be integrated into emergency shutdown and surge-control strategies.

For pumping-station projects, customers should provide pump data, pipeline length, flow rate and required valve operating time where available.

Surge & Water Hammer Control

Water hammer occurs when the velocity of flowing water changes rapidly, generating a pressure wave through the pipeline.

In large systems, this can create significant loads on:

• piping;

• flanges;

• pumps;

• valves;

• supports;

• downstream equipment.

BZVF hydraulic control butterfly valves are specifically suited to systems requiring controlled closure and non-slam operation.

The valve can be engineered with a closing sequence appropriate to the hydraulic requirements of the pipeline.

For systems where reverse flow after pump shutdown is also a concern, BZVF's Non-Slam Tilting Disc Check Valve can provide controlled closing using a hydraulic damping system.

The objective is to prevent uncontrolled valve movement and reduce pressure transients rather than simply close the valve as quickly as possible.

Wastewater & Reclaimed Water

Wastewater systems can contain suspended solids, chemicals and contaminants that make valve selection more demanding than clean-water service.

Typical applications include:

• treated wastewater;

• secondary effluent;

• tertiary effluent;

• reclaimed water;

• industrial wastewater;

• force mains;

• treatment-plant process lines.

Depending on solids content and chemical conditions, BZVF can supply concentric, double offset or rubber-lined butterfly valves.

For cleaner treated effluent, resilient-seated concentric or double offset designs may provide the most economical solution.

For more abrasive or corrosive wastewater, rubber-lined valves provide additional protection for wetted surfaces.

Sewage & Sludge

Raw sewage and sludge systems contain higher solids concentrations and can include fibrous or abrasive materials.

Typical applications include:

• raw sewage;

• activated sludge;

• return activated sludge;

• waste activated sludge;

• digested sludge;

• thickened sludge;

• dewatering systems.

These services require attention to solids accumulation, abrasion and operating torque.

For suitable conditions, BZVF rubber-lined butterfly valves can provide a durable solution with low flow resistance and corrosion-resistant lining options.

Where sludge concentration becomes very high or the medium is paste-like, provide the solids percentage and rheological data where available so that our engineering team can evaluate whether a butterfly valve is appropriate.

Stormwater & Drainage

Stormwater and flood-control systems often use large-diameter pipelines that operate intermittently but may need to handle very high flows during major events.

Applications include:

• stormwater drainage;

• flood-control systems;

• combined sewer overflow;

• large culverts and pipelines;

• retention and pumping facilities.

Butterfly valves are well suited to these applications because of their large-diameter capability and compact construction.

Double offset or hydraulic butterfly valves can be selected according to the pipeline pressure and operating requirements.

Seawater & Desalination Systems

Seawater creates additional corrosion challenges because of its high chloride content.

Applications may include:

• seawater intake;

• desalination plants;

• cooling-water systems;

• marine water transmission;

• brine discharge.

BZVF can manufacture seawater-service valve configurations using appropriate coatings, elastomers and corrosion-resistant materials.

Depending on project requirements, materials can include:

• stainless steels;

• titanium;

• bronze and other copper alloys;

• suitable special alloys.

Material selection should consider chloride concentration, water temperature, flow velocity, galvanic compatibility and expected service life.

Industrial Process Water

Industrial facilities also depend on process-water systems for cooling, washing, utilities and production.

Typical applications include:

• cooling water;

• demineralized water;

• process water;

• service water;

• firewater;

• flushing water.

These systems may use concentric or double offset butterfly valves depending on pipeline diameter and pressure.

Where the water contains chemicals, salts or suspended solids, BZVF can upgrade the seat, disc, lining or body materials to suit the operating conditions.