Butterfly valves have a long history and are broadly applied across many industries, including the chemical industry. In a Valve World magazine article, Selecting valves for chemical, process applications (p38), Emerson’s Knut Riegel describes advancements in high-performance butterfly valves for critical process applications.
Knut opens the article by highlighting the challenges German and other European chemical manufacturers face in increasing energy costs, challenging economic conditions, greater sustainability requirements, and skilled labor shortages. Knut also describes the technical challenges, such as:
…the flow control requirements, i.e., all products that shut off, distribute, or control the medium in a pipeline, are higher than ever. Critical isolation valves must fulfill the latest standards as well as material quality and service life requirements. Butterfly valves, especially in double eccentric design, are indispensable in the chemical industry.
Technical requirements and sustainability considerations are essential.
Meeting modern valve requirements demands extensive experience in valve technology, intelligent automation, and sustainable practices. New product development should prioritize environmental performance alongside technical innovation.
Chemical manufacturers often use butterfly valves in flow shutoff applications for liquids, abrasives, solids, and vapor fluids due to their:
…compact design and lower weight compared to ball or plug valves, often making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.
For demanding applications, double-eccentric butterfly valves can operate:
…regardless of the level of pressure applied, [and] the shut-off is leakage-free with the same sealing quality. This shut-off by DIN EN 12266-1 is therefore in no way inferior to the sealing performance of a ball or plug valve.
Integrating connected automatic valves with collecting data to enable users to configure, calibrate, monitor, and diagnose to higher IT systems is essential in driving better performance.
Sustainability, preventive maintenance, plant availability and application consulting through integration of information technology with operational technology (IT/OT convergence) are increasingly critical in valve selection and operation. … Additional considerations include automatic controllers, comprehensive automation accessories, and end-to-end solutions that span from field devices to cloud-based systems. These advanced features can significantly enhance valve performance and overall system efficiency.
Knut explains the importance of materials selection.
Selecting suitable high-performance (automated) butterfly valve, carefully evaluating materials, and adhering to the latest specifications and correct application advice can result in longer, reliable shut-off, reduced fugitive emissions and lower total cost of ownership.
Selecting the proper seals for the application per standards such as DIN EN ISO12266-1 P12, leak rate A helps to provide a leak-proof shut-off on both sides of the valve. These seals are important in reducing fugitive emissions, where valves typically account for 60%.
The TA-Luft (VDI 2440), which ensures the use of suitable gaskets for flange connections and valves, is one of the most important standards for volatile emissions. DIN EN ISO 15848-1, which describes the tightness class and strength class, also makes a significant contribution to the measurement, testing and qualification procedures for fugitive emissions and goes hand in hand with the qualification procedure for the type testing of valves (ISO 15848-1:2015 + Amd.1:2017).
Butterfly valves such as the Keystone K-LOK Series 38 valves are designed to the latest valve and chemical industry standards, including EN 12569, EN 593, EN 16668, and Namur NE 167.
Keystone K-LOK Series 38 stem sealing helps to increase safety for field personnel.
These high-performance butterfly valves:
…offer versatile operation methods, including manual operation via hand lever or gearbox, as well as various actuator types such as pneumatic, electric, electrohydraulic, or those using pipeline gas as the motive power source.
Knut recommends sourcing:
…pneumatically actuated high-performance valves and accessories from suppliers offering comprehensive valve instrumentation and control solutions. These may include filter regulators, volume boosters, pressure relief valves, solenoid valves and piston valves. Electro-pneumatic positioners, particularly smart positioners, offer significant advantages in valve automation. These devices enable more precise control, allowing systems to operate closer to target values and thereby improving product quality. Additionally, smart positioners can detect potential issues early, facilitating proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.
Read the full article and visit the Chemical Butterfly Valves section on Emerson.com for more information on these valves to address your most demanding application challenges.
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