As far as industrial purposes go, the correct selection of valves is highly important. Two butterfly valves that are used most frequently are triple offset and wafer. Actually, each of the two variants has its specific characteristics, positive sides, and areas of implementation. This article will disclose these differences for you.
What is a Triple Offset Butterfly Valve?
The triple offset butterfly valve has been given a novel angle through three eccentric offsets that improve its sealing performance and, at the same time, its energy effectivity. This cutting-edge design not only allows for less friction between the disk and the seat but also results in very gentle and quiet operation.
Key Features:
Three-Eccentric Design: The newly invented shape is what makes the valve so powerful in preventing the medium from escaping.
Metal Sealing: Most triple offset butterfly valves use metal seals and this is why they can be employed in high-pressure and high-temperature industrial processes.
Versatility: These valves have a broad range of potential applications involving media such as water, oil, gas, and aggressive media.
Advantages:
Lower Maintenance Costs: Having new technology, the valve wears less, thus, its life is longer.
High Performance: The offset design is the biggest factor that causes better flow control and lower pressure drop.
Zero Leakage: The sealing performance of this valve prevents any leakage loss, thus improving the system’s efficiency.
What is a Wafer Butterfly Valve?
The wafer butterfly valve is a compact valve, which is commonly used in water treatment, HVAC systems, and food processing, and mainly for the flow in the specific section of the whole line. The valve gets its name from the fact that it looks like a wafer.
Key Features:
Compact Design: The design of the wafer-type valve enables it to be fitted between flanges with ease thus very much applicable in confined spaces.
Cost-Effective: In general, wafer butterfly valves have a lower purchase price compared to triple offset butterfly valves and, therefore, it is an affordable product.
Lightweight: Their reduced mass allows for a more straightforward method of carrying out the tasks that involve the use of wafer butterfly valves and that includes even the toughest and most energy-consuming work.
Advantages:
Ease of Installation: The wafer butterfly valve is easily fitted, and the installer does not need to have a lot of experience.
Versatile Applications: Most HVAC systems work wonders with the help of a wafer butterfly valve.
Good Flow Control: The wafer butterfly valve’s flow control is excellent although the level of sealing doesn’t reach that of advanced triple offset valves, it is enough to meet the requirements of flow control.
Key Differences Between Triple Offset and Wafer Butterfly Valves
1. Design Complexity
The reason that a triple offset butterfly valve is more superior in terms of its sealing capabilities is because it has a configuration of three offsets which do not affect each other and hence has the significant protrusion (offset) bearings that are able to seal. On the contrary, the wafer butterfly valve is simply built, easy to understand and does not have a complicated design.
2. Sealing Mechanism
For excellent sealing performance, metal seals are used in three offset butterfly valves so they are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications. Wafer butterfly valves normally only rely on the rubber or elastomeric seals that may not be as efficient or work as well under extreme conditions.
3. Performance and Efficiency
The offset of the triple is the feature with which torque requirements can be made lower and the wear on sealing surfaces minimized, thus it leads to the valve with higher performance and longer service life. Even though they have a wide range of applications, the wafer butterfly valves may not be as efficient and effective in demanding conditions.
4. Application Suitability
The most appropriate example of the application of the triple offset kind of a valve is where industrial operations are being conducted for the purpose of increasing the performance and guaranteeing high reliability. The industries like oil & gas, power generation, and chemical processing can be the primary uses of the triple offset butterfly valves. Wafer butterfly valves, however, are types that are applicable for general flow regulation like water treatment and HVAC systems.
Conclusion
Deciding which is best between the triple offset butterfly valve and the wafer butterfly valve limits you to your particular application requirements.
Our focus is on the production of high performance butterfly valves, and among them are the triple offset butterfly valves as well as the wafer butterfly valves. If you want to make a request for a quote, feel free to contact us today, and find out how our valves can be instrumental in improving your operations!