The following core factors usually drive the replacement of butterfly valves for ball valves. These decisions are based on comprehensive considerations of cost-effectiveness, space constraints, adaptability to working conditions, and operational efficiency:
1. Cost and structural advantages
Large-diameter economy
For diameters ≥DN300, the material consumption of butterfly valves is reduced by about 50%, the weight is reduced by 70%, and the procurement cost is 30%~50% lower than that of ball valves.
The structural length of butterfly valves is only 1/3~1/2 of that of ball valves of the same diameter, and the compact design saves space for pipeline layout.
Maintenance convenience
The modular valve seat of butterfly valves supports quick replacement (such as three-eccentric metal sealing structure), while large-diameter ball valves need to be disassembled and repaired as a whole, which takes 3 times longer.
2. Flow and working condition adaptation
Low flow resistance and large flow
When fully open, the flow resistance coefficient of butterfly valves is only 0.3~0.6, which is 15%~20% higher than that of ball valves under the same working conditions (because the ball structure blocks the channel).
Suitable for large flow scenarios such as DN1200 water pipes and ventilation systems in water treatment plants.
Tolerance to impure media
The butterfly valve disc has significantly better anti-clogging ability against fiber and granular media (such as sludge in sewage treatment plants) than the ball valve.
Metal-sealed butterfly valves can adapt to the transportation of slurry containing ≤40% solid particles.
3. Operational efficiency and installation flexibility
Low torque fast opening and closing
DN600 butterfly valve opening and closing torque ≤300N·m, the same diameter ball valve requires ≥1200N·m, and the drive device cost is reduced by 40%.
90° rotation to achieve full opening/closing, emergency shut-off response time <1 second (such as fire protection system).
Unrestricted installation direction
The butterfly valve's two-way sealing design supports any installation direction, and the ball valve must be installed strictly according to the flow direction indication.
4. Restricted scenarios: Ball valves are irreplaceable
High-pressure clean fluids
≥Class 600 high-pressure steam or high-purity media (such as semiconductor ultrapure water) require ball valves to ensure zero leakage (ANSI VI level).
Precision flow regulation
V-type ball valves can linearly adjust the flow (flow accuracy ±2% when the opening is 30%), while butterfly valves are only suitable for coarse adjustment