Butterfly valves are widely used in water supply, wastewater treatment, and chemical treatment. Because they have a simple design, use resources well, are small, and are cheap.
Proper valve installation ensures optimal performance and longevity. Before installing a butterfly valve, installation process must be understood. During installation, you dear must also follow safety precautions.
1. How to install a butterfly valve on a pipe?
a)Necessary tools
Installing a butterfly valve requires a variety of tools to assist.
-Wrenches tighten bolts.
-Torque wrenches check whether the installation is within the appropriate torque range.
-Screwdrivers secure smaller parts.
-Pipe cutters create spaces for butterfly valve installation.
-Safety gloves and goggles prevent potential hazards.
-Level and plumb line: Ensure the butterfly valve is installed in the correct direction.
b)Required materials
-Specific materials are required for installation.
-Gaskets properly seal the butterfly valve and flange.
-Bolts and nuts secure the butterfly valve to the pipe.
-Cleaning supplies remove debris from the pipe and valve surfaces created during installation.
2. Preparation Steps
Inspecting the Butterfly Valve
-Inspecting the butterfly valve before installation is an essential step. The manufacturer checks each butterfly valve before shipping. However, issues can still arise.
-Inspect the butterfly valve for any visible damage or defects.
-Make sure the valve disc rotates freely and is not stuck.
-Verify that the valve seat is intact.
-Check that the valve's size and pressure match the pipeline's specs.
Prepare the Pipeline System
Just as important as inspecting the butterfly valve is inspecting the pipeline.
-Clean the pipeline to remove rust, debris and contaminants.
-Check the alignment of the connecting pipe flanges.
-Make sure the flanges are smooth and flat without burrs.
-Verify that the pipeline can support the weight of the butterfly valve, especially true for big valves. If not, use a special bracket.
3. Installation Process
a)Positioning the Butterfly Valve
Position the butterfly valve correctly in the pipeline.
The valve disc is slightly open to avoid damaging it or the seat when squeezing. If necessary, use a special flange designed for wafer-type butterfly valves. The valve disc is slightly open to avoid damaging the valve disc or valve seat when squeezing the valve seat.
Check the orientation
Verify that the butterfly valve is installed in the correct orientation.
Centerline butterfly valves are generally bidirectional butterfly valves. Eccentric butterfly valves are generally unidirectional unless otherwise required.The flow direction of the medium should match the arrow on the valve body, so that ensure the sealing effect of the valve seat.
Fixing the butterfly valve
Put the bolts through the flange holes of the butterfly valve and the pipeline. Make sure the butterfly valve is flush with the pipeline. Then, tighten them evenly.
Tightening the bolts in a star or cross star (that is, diagonal) manner can evenly distribute the pressure.
Use a torque wrench to reach the specified torque for each bolt.
Avoid overtightening, otherwise it will damage the valve or flange.
Connect the actuator actuator auxiliary device
Connect the power supply to the electric head. Also, connect the air source to the pneumatic head.
Note: The actuator itself (handle, worm gear, electric head, pneumatic head) has been adapted and debugged for the butterfly valve before shipment.
Final inspection
-Check whether the butterfly valve seal and pipeline have any signs of misalignment or damage.
-Verify that the valve is running smoothly by opening and closing the valve several times. Whether the valve disc can rotate freely without any obstruction or excessive resistance.
-Check all connection points for leaks. You can perform a leak test by pressurizing the entire pipeline.
-Make any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Butterfly valve does not open or close properly: Check for things blocking the pipe. Also, check the actuator's power voltage and air pressure.
Leaking at the connection: Check if the pipeline's flange surface is uneven. Also, check if the bolts are unevenly tightened or loose.
Proper installation and maintenance ensure that the butterfly valve operates effectively in a variety of applications. The installation process of the butterfly valve involves several key steps. Cleaning before installation, proper alignment, fixing and final inspection ensure optimal performance. Carefully study and follow these steps before starting the installation. Doing so can prevent problems and hazards.
After all, there is an old Chinese saying that "sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood."