Butterfly Valves for Power Generation

Power generation plants use butterfly valves extensively across cooling water systems, condensate piping, and auxiliary steam - their large bore capability and low cost at DN300–DN1200 make them the natural choice for cooling water intake, circulating water, and plant service water. Vajra Industrial Solutions also supplies triple-offset metal-seated butterfly valves for high-temperature steam bypass and extraction steam service in combined-cycle power plants.

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What butterfly valves does the Power Generation industry use?

Key Applications - Butterfly Valves in Power Generation

Circulating Cooling Water (CCW) System

Large-bore ductile iron butterfly valves (DN400–DN1200) for condenser inlet/outlet isolation, cooling tower supply and return, and circulating water pump discharge. Electric-actuated with SCADA integration for remote isolation. EPDM seat for potable and treated cooling water. Epoxy-coated body for long-term corrosion protection.

DN400–DN1200, PN 6–16, Ductile Iron, EPDM seat, electric actuator, BS 5155 / EN 593

Auxiliary Cooling and Service Water

Butterfly valves for essential cooling water (ECW), component cooling water (CCW), and plant service water supply to heat exchangers, air-cooled condensers, and electrical cooling systems. Lug-type for dead-end isolation at heat exchangers. Manual gear operator or pneumatic actuator for automated flow isolation.

DN100–DN600, PN 10–16, Ductile Iron / SS 316, EPDM, lug-type, gear operator

Condenser and LP Turbine Exhaust Steam

Large-bore butterfly valves for condenser neck and LP turbine bypass duty in combined-cycle and thermal power plants. Carbon steel or stainless disc with PTFE seat for low-pressure steam and steam-condensate service. High-cycle duty - position-seated butterfly valve with bi-directional sealing for extraction steam.

DN300–DN900, Class 150, WCB / CF8M, PTFE seat, bi-directional, API 609

Triple-Offset - HP/IP Steam Bypass

Triple-offset metal-seated butterfly valves for HP/IP steam bypass, extraction steam, and auxiliary steam header isolation in combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. Metal-to-metal seat for steam tightness at Class 300–600. Alloy steel (WC6) body for temperatures up to 540°C. Fast-acting pneumatic actuator for turbine protection.

DN150–DN500, Class 300–600, WC6 / CF8M, metal seat, API 609, ASME B16.34

Required Certifications

ASME B16.34 - Pressure-Temperature Ratings (steam service)API 609 - Butterfly ValvesEN 593 - Industrial butterfly valvesIBR Schedule IV - Indian Boiler Regulations (steam service in India)WRAS / NSF 61 - if potable water source for coolingASME B31.1 - Power Piping (steam butterfly valve installation)EN 10204 3.1 MTCs

Recommended Materials

Ductile Iron GGG-40 - cooling water and service water (PN 10–16)

A216 WCB - carbon steel for low-pressure steam and condensate

A351 CF8M (SS 316) - condensate, auxiliary steam, and corrosive cooling water

A217 WC6 (1.25Cr-0.5Mo) - high-temperature extraction and bypass steam to 540°C

EPDM seat - cooling water, demineralised water service

Metal seat (Stellite/Inconel) - steam service above 200°C

Selection Factors

Temperature: EPDM/PTFE seats limited to 180°C - metal seat required for steam above 180°C

Pressure class: PN 6–16 for cooling water; Class 150–300 for steam; Class 600+ use triple-offset

Bore: Butterfly valves most cost-effective vs gate/globe at DN300+ for cooling water service

Actuator: Electric for SCADA-controlled CCW isolation; pneumatic (spring-return) for turbine bypass fast-acting duty

IBR: Mandatory registration for all butterfly valves on IBR-classified steam piping in India

Bi-directional: Specify bi-directional bubble-tight sealing for extraction steam (pressure can reverse on turbine trip)

Technical FAQs

Are butterfly valves suitable for high-pressure steam in power plants?

Standard elastomer-seated butterfly valves (EPDM, PTFE) are limited to approximately Class 150 and 180°C - suitable for low-pressure steam and condensate only. For high-pressure steam (Class 300–2500), triple-offset metal-seated butterfly valves are the appropriate choice - they provide zero leakage with metal-to-metal contact and are rated to ASME B16.34 Class 600 in WC6 alloy steel for temperatures up to 540°C. For main steam isolation at Class 900–2500, gate valves remain the standard.

What is the purpose of an electric actuator on cooling water butterfly valves?

Electric actuators on cooling water butterfly valves enable remote SCADA control - the plant control room can isolate individual heat exchangers, switch cooling tower cells, or shut circulating water pump discharge without a field operator. For large power plants, this is critical during load changes, equipment maintenance, and emergency isolation. Actuators also provide position feedback and torque monitoring, enabling early detection of seat wear or mechanical issues before valve failure.