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  3. Automating Flow Control: A Guide to Electric Butterfly Valve Applications

Automating Flow Control: A Guide to Electric Butterfly Valve Applications

📅 Oct 29, 2025

In modern industrial and commercial systems, automation is key to achieving efficiency, precision, and safety. When it comes to fluid control, manually operated valves are giving way to automated solutions that can be controlled remotely and integrated into complex process control systems. The electric butterfly valve is a cornerstone of this technological shift.

By combining the simple, cost-effective design of a butterfly valve with the precision of an electric actuator, these components provide reliable and automated flow control across a vast range of applications. Let's explore where they are used and why they are so effective.

What Makes an Electric Butterfly Valve?

An electric butterfly valve valve is a two-part assembly:

  1. The Butterfly Valve: A valve that uses a rotating disc to start, stop, or regulate fluid flow. They are favored for their lightweight, compact design and suitability for large pipe diameters.
  2. The Electric Actuator: A motor-driven device mounted on the valve. It receives an electrical signal and converts it into the rotational force (torque) needed to turn the valve's stem, opening or closing the disc.

As the International Society of Automation (ISA) explains, actuators are the "muscle" that allows valves to be operated without human intervention.

Key Advantages of Electric Actuation

Pairing a butterfly valve with an electric actuator offers several distinct benefits over manual operation:

  • Remote Control: Valves can be operated from a central control room, which is crucial for systems with inaccessible or hazardous valve locations.
  • Precise Positioning: Electric actuators can be configured for simple on/off service or for modulating service, where they can position the valve disc at any point between fully open and fully closed for precise flow throttling.
  • System Integration: They easily connect with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and SCADA systems, enabling fully automated process loops based on sensor feedback (e.g., temperature, pressure, or flow rate).
  • Increased Safety & Efficiency: Automation reduces the need for manual intervention, minimizing the risk of human error and lowering operational labor costs.

Common Applications for Electric Butterfly Valves

The versatility of electric butterfly valves makes them a popular choice in numerous industries.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

In large commercial buildings, electric butterfly valves are essential components in hydronic systems. They control the flow of hot or chilled water through air handlers and cooling towers, helping to regulate building temperature efficiently. Their compact size makes them perfect for the tight mechanical rooms found in these facilities.
Learn more about our HVAC valve solutions.

Water and Wastewater Treatment

Municipal water treatment plants rely on electric butterfly valves to manage the massive volumes of water that pass through their systems. From intake lines and filtration systems to chemical dosing and distribution networks, these automated valves provide reliable control over critical processes.
See our water and wastewater valve applications.

Power Generation

Power plants use vast amounts of water for cooling systems. Electric butterfly valves are used to control the flow in these large-diameter pipes, ensuring that equipment operates within safe temperature ranges. As we've detailed before, the role of valves in power generation is critical.
Explore our power generation solutions.

General Manufacturing and Industrial Processes

In many manufacturing plants, electric butterfly valves are used in utility lines for water, compressed air, and other process fluids. They are a reliable and cost-effective way to automate parts of a production line, from controlling cooling water for equipment to managing bulk fluid transfer.
Find out more about our general manufacturing applications.

Food and Beverage

While direct contact with food products typically requires specialized sanitary valves, electric butterfly valves are widely used in utility and process support applications, such as managing the flow of glycol for cooling or water for cleaning processes (CIP systems).

Choosing the Right Automated Valve

Selecting the correct electric butterfly valve involves considering the media type, pressure, temperature, pipe size, and the specific control requirements of your system. With countless options available, it's important to get expert advice.

For help specifying the perfect automated valve solution for your needs, contact the technical team at Epic Valve.

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