Wafer and lug-style are famous and efficient types of butterfly valves. Butterfly valves often apply in pipelines and are quarter-turn in operation. They are excellent for regulating industrial flow, whether solid, gas, or liquid.

The wafer and lug-style butterfly valves perform separate functions and operations. Here are the differences between a wafer and a lug-style butterfly valve.

Wafer-Style Butterfly Valve:

The term wafer comes from the sleek and compact structure. Wafer Butterfly valves are industrial valve that suits pipelines for flow management. Their design is often compatible with electric actuation or pneumatic control. It does not need extra bolts or nuts to fit. They can clamp in a pipeline between two flanges.

 A rubber seal between the flange connection and the valve creates a strong seal. A central shaft lies within the valve, where a disc rotates around it. The disc extends to the stem and the outside valve, which we can use for manual or actuator operation. This structure provides a convenient experience.

Lug-Style Butterfly Valve:

Lug-style butterfly valves also apply to heavy-duty and industrial applications. The name ‘lug’ refers to the lugs on the valve body. These lugs serve the function of attaching valves to the pipelines using bolts. It gives easy installation and removal facilities without disconnecting the entire pipeline.

Lug Butterfly valves do not need extra flanges for connection, as in wafer valves. It eases the process of valve installation and makes maintenance convenient.

Working of Wafer Butterfly Valve:

Wafer-style butterfly valves fit between two pipeline flanges with bolts. We operate them with the quarter-turn mechanism. On turning the actuator at 90 degrees, the disc in the valve pivots in the pipe for flow control. The disc remains parallel to the flow in the open position, allowing most escape. When the wafer valve closes, the disc gets perpendicular to the flow and blocks it.

Working of Lug-Style Butterfly Valve:

Lug-style valves have holes in the lugs that align with the pipeline holes. The operation of this valve is quarter-turn, like a wafer-style butterfly valve. It is rotating the valve handle to 90 degrees slides the disc. It leads to the valve’s complete opening or closing.

Industrial Applications of Wafer Butterfly Valve:

Here are the industrial applications of wafer-style butterfly valves.

Water Treatment:

Wafer butterfly valves work in water treatment plants for chemical dosing and distribution. They also take part in water filtration processes. The design of wafer valves is compact. It brings ease of installation and operation for this application.  

Food and Beverage:

Wafer valves are customizable for food industries. Their material for this industry meets hygiene standards. They can manage semi-solid products and other liquids.

Chemical Processing:

Wafer-style butterfly valves regulate various chemicals in chemical processing plants. They manage acids and corrosive fluids. They get favor due to their performance in these conditions.

HVAC:

These are compatible with controlling water and air in HVAC systems. Wafer valves balance the heating and cooling fluids in commercial and household buildings.

Marine:

Wafer butterfly valves are applicable in ballast systems and marine systems. They can manage intake or exhaust systems due to their sleek and slim structure.

Industrial Applications of Lug-Style Butterfly Valve:

Here are the applications of lug-style butterfly valves.

Power Generation:

Lug-style butterfly valves control fluids in power boilers, condensers, and cooling systems. They manage the intake and exit of the fluid across systems.

Water Distribution:

Lug-style valves maintain potable and wastewater. They are applicable in industries for water distribution due to their durability.

Petrochemicals:

Lug-style valves can control this industry’s crude oil, petrochemicals, and natural gas. They have bolted connections and robust designs. It helps lug valves to undergo extreme pressure and temperatures.

Mining:

Lug-style valves handle slurry and perform dewatering. They also apply in mineral processing and other mining actions.

Fire Protection System:

Large buildings and residential areas need effective fire control. Lug-style valves can perform in critical conditions. They are best in fire control equipment.

Features of Wafer vs. Lug-Style Butterfly Valves:

Wafer Butterfly Valve Maintenance:

First, perform maintenance on the wafer butterfly valve, isolate it, and shut off fluid. Do a thorough testing to check for damages. Check the bolts’ fastening flanges and the space between them.

You can conduct a flow test by opening and closing the valve and inspecting both conditions. Apply lubricant to wafer butterfly valve parts if they need it. Then, put all aspects back and make it operational as earlier.

Lug-Style Butterfly Valve Maintenance:

The maintenance test for the lug-style butterfly valve is quite like the wafer valve. Perform the same process and also check for actuator functioning. Check for elastomeric seats and leakages between them. Perform these maintenance tests more often to get exceptional results.

Conclusion:

The differences between wafer vs. lug-style butterfly valves are evident above. Both these valves are brilliant for industrial pipelines.

The selection between wafer vs. lug-style butterfly valves depends on their usage. You must identify your system potential for butterfly valves and then go for one of these types.