Current and future trends for the butterfly industry 1

[321GO]

Hi guys, hope you're all doing well.

I'm sheduled for a sales job in the butterfly sector.
Although I do have some rudementary knowledge of butterfly valve's I would like to get a heads up for any new / emerging trends in the bussiness.

Will the future be stable for the standard rubber lines centric valve's or will these be replaced in greater %numbers by the double excentric steel/steel's in the future? Or are there any improvements with regards to materials, sealing or durabilty for instance.

Vague question, but hope to get some responses, thank in advance.

 

[Danlap]

First of all, what is your industrial target (Downstream / Upstream, Petrochemical, LNG, etc.) vs your product(s) range capability?

Unless you product is supported with a very reliable Actuator, I personally would categorize Line centric and double offset BV into the same class.

Some of obvious advantage of BV are:
- Width dimension is the narrowest for its size and rating compare to other type
- Quick Opening and Closing compare to other type.
Disadvantages (for people who don't really understand the selection concept) of BV are:
- It is not quite proper for throttling (flow at 45 degrees opening almost the same as 90 degrees /fully Open)
- Line centric valve, there is a good possibility that it may overshoot position (move more than 90 degrees movement)
- Most of them is not Fire safe proof
- Perfection of Triple Offset BV is at least during the last 15 years, unfortunately End user tendency is still benchmarking this type with its predecessor (Line centric and Double offset) which of course less reliable

Material selection (Seat & Disc, however also Body material) really depending on process condition.
Rubber lined valves are normally used for Brackish or Cooling water. End user often do not care much if they are leaking up to Class F (ISO 5208)
As for teflon / PTFE / PFA lined BV is more for niche market

IMHO, I would say the Butterfly valve market is quite stagnant, however repeated order. End user already know that they will only BV that would last at least 5-20 years (unless stated otherwise)
There are market, especially for Plant with many vessel, or small sizes Plant (not much space to install big valves). If you are engage with client over the material selection that fit for their services, After sales service, and warranty period. That's already 1 plus point for you. If you can sell triple offset BV for the same price as Double offset, then it would be something.

Just some personal view.
Regards,
MR

Greenfield and Brownfield have one thing in common; Valve(s) is deemed to "run to fail" earlier shall compared to other equipments

 

[gerhardl]

321GO: Please not that your question is general, and the answer is (as Muktadi notes) highly dependent on branch, size, pressure class, fluid, application, actuation type, described (expected) lifetime, service cost, but also in addition local customs and requirements (Europe different from USA, Asia different from both etc), availability and local pricing.

Sizes may for instance be from 50 mm or below, up to 5 meters or more, pressures from 2,5 bars or less, up to 40 bars and more.

Without telling more about the area and market you are operating in, it is difficult to go into the 'local details'.

Note also that for Muktadis answer, most of the 'disadvantages' is overcome by a proper description for a suitable type and quality for the application. (For instance fireproof certificate required typ xx, leakproof to yy standard, material test, lining type rsistant to fluid zz,construction, with mecanical stop or construction for not exceeding (just over) 180 degrees turning, etc.). In your case: offering with good product and market knowledge. (You have in my opinion not made a bad start....)

Some general estimates (my opinion based on European/Scandinavian experience):

Market: Water, water handling, district heating, smaller valves for hydroelectric plants:

- The availability for valves and competition betwenn producers in the BFL market will generally increase worldwide.
- The quality from 'poor production quality producers' will increase
- The market for BFL valves for district heating, water distribution and water handling will increase worldwide.
- For buried lines for district heating and water handling and lower dimensions (up to about 200-250mm ) gate-valves will still compete
- In some parts of the world where gate-valves are dominating for above branches, this will probably continue.

- The requirement for quality and long lifetime (price/lifetime cost including service and downtime cost) will hopefully increase.
- The price for double eccentric valves, where competing with centric valves, will decrease.
- On reason for high-quality longlife requirements for water mains, use of double eccentric and tripel eccentric valves will increase.
- Above especially valid for valves 250mm or above and valves above 6 bars and up, especially 16 bars and higher.

Oil and gas:
- Will follow branch development.
- US market conservative, 'as is' regarding types, with general product development?
- Subsea: special valves, decresing for general valves?

Shipmarket:
- As is, general spillage and puirification sterengthened rules may give changes. Follow up on pump suppliers, shipyards, owners and equipment producers?

Industrial energy distribution and purification (see water above for general comments)
- Might require better quality valves to improve on unforeseen leakage and breakdowns.

Actuators
- Knowledgde and access to actuator mounting, adjusting, service and maintenance are more and more important.
- Electric actuators are becoming more and more advanced with integrated controls. Knowledged necessary as well as integrated supply.

Best Regards! - and good luck! We need some honest people with good product knowledge out there!

 

[321GO]

Hi guys, thanks a lot for your pointers. I'm studying these among others in detail.

quiztime:
- what is meant when they speak of "full lug". Does this mean the lugs are full thickness of the valve?
- why is valvestem orientation (vertical / hor.) important in certain situations?

 

[gerhardl]

Hello 321GO

Full lug: see thread408-27512.

As a reminder to all: Very often useful to use the 'search' function on the bar at the top of the page. Searching for 'lug' you will get some other pointers in addition.


Stem orientation on butterfly valves: horizontal always preferred, unpurities and fluid rest will keep better away from bearing and supporting construction. Also better for some throtteling and other applications

Stem orientation on gatevalves: construction not always ideal for horizontal mounting, neither flasked or on edge.

For all valves, and always: Check factorys' recommoedation for mounting. (Orientation and all application particulars)

 

[321GO]

I didn't land the job, but due to the helpfull feedback and study on my part I'm better prepared for round 2!

thanks and love

 

[gerhardl]

In my mind you were qualified by asking for advice! Good luck!