In industrial systems such as water treatment, wastewater treatment, chemical engineering, energy, and power generation, pneumatic butterfly valves are widely used in various pipeline systems due to their compact structure, rapid opening and closing, and high degree of automation. However, different working conditions have significantly different requirements for the structure, sealing form, materials, and actuators of butterfly valves. Improper selection can easily lead to leakage, malfunction, or shortened service life.
This article will systematically review the basic introduction, applicable working conditions, selection logic, and common problems of pneumatic butterfly valves to help you quickly select the appropriate WEIZIDOM pneumatic butterfly valve solution for your project.
A pneumatic butterfly valve is an automated valve that uses compressed air as power to drive a butterfly plate to rotate 90°, achieving the opening, closing, or regulation of pipeline media.
Its basic components include:
Valve body
Butterfly plate
Valve seat (sealing structure)
Valve shaft
Pneumatic actuator (single-acting or double-acting)
Compared with manual and electric butterfly valves, pneumatic butterfly valves have advantages such as fast response speed, good explosion-proof performance, and suitability for remote and interlocking control, making them particularly suitable for industrial scenarios with high safety and automation requirements.
In modern industrial projects, pneumatic butterfly valves have become an important part of pipeline systems, mainly due to:
Rapid opening and closing, suitable for high-frequency operation
The 90° rotation structure allows pneumatic butterfly valves to complete opening and closing in a short time, improving system response efficiency.
Compact structure, suitable for large-diameter pipelines
Compared with ball valves and gate valves, butterfly valves are lighter and require less installation space, making them particularly suitable for pipe diameters above DN300.
High safety and good explosion-proof performance
Using compressed air as power, it is suitable for flammable and explosive environments.
Easy to achieve automated control
It can be combined with solenoid valves, limit switches, and positioners to achieve remote control and system interlocking.
1. Classified by Sealing Form
Soft-sealed pneumatic butterfly valves
The valve seat is mostly made of rubber or PTFE, offering excellent sealing performance, suitable for water treatment, low temperature, and low-pressure conditions. Metal-Sealed Pneumatic Butterfly Valve
Suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, or particle-containing media, offering superior wear resistance and high-temperature performance.
2. Classified by Structural Form
Centerline Butterfly Valve
Double Eccentric Butterfly Valve
Triple Eccentric Butterfly Valve (suitable for high-temperature, high-sealing requirement applications)
3. Classified by Connection Method
Wafer Type Pneumatic Butterfly Valve
Flanged Pneumatic Butterfly Valve
Pneumatic butterfly valves are not “universal valves”; proper selection must be based on specific working conditions:
Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Systems
Soft-sealed pneumatic butterfly valves are recommended, offering good sealing performance and cost-effectiveness.
Large-diameter, Low-pressure Pipelines
Wafer type or double eccentric butterfly valves are suitable, balancing cost and structural strength.
High-temperature Media Applications
Metal-sealed butterfly valves should be used to prevent soft seal aging and failure.
Corrosive Media
Fluorine-lined butterfly valves or stainless steel materials can be used to enhance corrosion resistance.
1. Clarify Working Condition Parameters
Nominal Diameter (DN)
Pressure Rating (PN / Class)
Medium Temperature and Properties
2. Select the Appropriate Seal and Material
Soft Seal vs. Metal Seal
Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Fluorine-lined Structure
3. Properly Match the Pneumatic Actuator
Single-acting actuator: Suitable for applications requiring return to original position upon air loss
Double-acting actuator: Stable opening and closing torque, wide range of applications
Sufficient torque margin should be reserved when selecting the actuator to ensure long-term stable operation.
4. Configure Necessary Accessories
Solenoid Valve
Limit Switch
Air Source Treatment Unit (Filter, Regulator, Lubricator)
Positioner (for regulating applications)
Complete pneumatic butterfly valve product line
Multiple structures, materials, and sealing forms available
Complete valve + actuator supply
Working condition analysis and selection support
Extensive experience in engineering project applications
WEIZIDOM not only provides products but is also committed to providing customers with stable and reliable overall solutions for pneumatic butterfly valves.
As a key component in industrial automation systems, the selection of pneumatic butterfly valves directly affects the safety, stability, and operating costs of the system. Only by fully understanding the operating conditions and rationally matching the valve structure with the actuator configuration can the performance advantages of pneumatic butterfly valves be truly realized.
For further selection advice or technical support, WEIZIDOM will provide you with professional and reliable solution support.
Q1: Can pneumatic butterfly valves be used for flow control?
They can be used for coarse adjustment, but are not suitable for high-precision control; a positioner is required for precise control.
Q2: How to choose between soft sealing and metal sealing?
Soft sealing is suitable for low-temperature and clean media; metal sealing is suitable for high-temperature and abrasive conditions.
Q3: What are the reasons for incomplete closure of pneumatic butterfly valves?
Common reasons include seal aging, butterfly plate wear, particulate matter in the medium, improper installation, or insufficient actuator torque.
Q4: Are butterfly valves suitable for long-term semi-open operation?
Ordinary butterfly valves are not recommended for long-term high-precision control. If continuous adjustment is required, a dedicated control butterfly valve or control valve should be selected.
Q5: Does WEIZIDOM provide complete sets of pneumatic butterfly valves?
Yes. WEIZIDOM supports the supply of complete sets of valves, actuators, and accessories, and provides technical support.
