For water engineers, utilities, consultants and contractors specifying large diameter water pipework, there is no universal diameter at which a gate valve automatically becomes a better choice than a butterfly valve, or vice versa. Both are widely used for isolation, and the final decision should be application driven, taking account of the project specification, operating conditions and installation constraints.

Gate valves remain a common engineering choice for isolation, while butterfly valves can offer practical advantages where space, weight and project cost become increasingly important. Installation space, weight and cost are areas where butterfly valves may offer an advantage, while neither technology should be treated as the default answer for every project.

Gate Valve vs Butterfly Valve: Key Selection Factors

Rather than relying on a simple diameter based rule of thumb, engineers should compare the characteristics of each valve against the requirements of the installation.

Which Is Better for a Large Water Main?

There is no single correct answer based on pipe diameter alone.

Where straightforward isolation and very low resistance through the fully open valve are priorities, a gate valve may remain the preferred specification. Where chamber dimensions, valve weight, handling or automation are significant constraints, a butterfly valve can provide a more practical alternative.

Utility standards and existing infrastructure also matter. Like for like gate valve replacement remains common, while new projects may increasingly consider butterfly valve technology. The consultant or design engineer must ultimately assess the application and specify the appropriate solution.

Pressure, temperature, media, required operating method and applicable certification should therefore be established before a valve is selected.

Supporting Large Diameter Water & Wastewater Projects

Bonomi UK supplies both gate and butterfly valve technologies, allowing engineers to select according to the application rather than forcing a single solution. Explore our valve range, including large diameter butterfly valves, resilient seated gate valves and other flow control solutions for water distribution, treatment and pumping applications.

Our butterfly valve range can also be combined with suitable actuators where automated operation is required. Bonomi UK also works with CMO Valves on specialist water industry solutions; CMO’s dedicated double flanged butterfly valve range includes large diameter options for water supply, pumping and treatment duties.

Backed by extensive UK stock and further support by European stockholding, application led technical support, our team can support customers in assessing valve type, operating conditions, actuation requirements before specification.

Speak to Our Water Industry Specialist

Specifying a new water main, upgrading an existing asset or comparing valve technologies for a project?

Contact us to discuss your application, or speak to our technical team about gate valves, butterfly valves and actuated solutions for water and wastewater infrastructure.

Bonomi UK has completed a bespoke actuated knife gate valve package designed to regulate water flow within an industrial cooling system.

The assembly combined a 6-inch CMO Series A unidirectional knife gate valve with a double-acting pneumatic actuator, a Power Genex 4–20 mA positioner and a specially fabricated linkage kit. The finished package was completed and function tested at our Automation Centre before despatch.

Accurate Remote Flow Control

The customer required more than a standard open-and-close valve. The package needed to regulate the amount of water entering the cooling system in response to changing process requirements.

The Power Genex positioner receives a 4–20 mA signal from the customer’s control system and adjusts the pneumatic actuator to move the valve to the required position. This allows operators to open, close or partially position the valve remotely, providing greater control over the volume of water entering the cooling system.

The positioner also monitors valve movement and adjusts the actuator to maintain the requested position.

Power Genex is a tried and trusted brand used by Bonomi UK and other companies within the wider Bonomi Group.

Overcoming a Complex Installation

The main challenge was integrating the positioner with the linear movement of the knife gate valve.

As a standard mounting arrangement could not be used, Bonomi UK requested assistance from a specialist fabricator, who then created something bespoke to suit the application.

The linkage connects the positioner to the valve stem, allowing it to accurately monitor and control the valve throughout its operating range.

This type of package requires careful design, alignment and calibration, making it a complex assembly that relatively few suppliers would be equipped to coordinate.

Completed and Tested Before Despatch

The package was returned to Bonomi UK, where the technical team completed the final pipework and wiring before carrying out full function testing within our Automation Centre.

Testing confirmed that the valve responded correctly to changes in the 4–20 mA signal, could be controlled at intermediate positions and returned to the fully closed position when the power supply was removed.

Completing this work before despatch reduced the installation and commissioning required on site while giving the customer confidence that the complete package would operate as intended.

CMO Series A Knife Gate Valves

The CMO Series A is a wafer-style unidirectional knife gate valve designed for reliable isolation across water and industrial process applications.

Its compact construction makes it suitable for installations where space and weight are important. A choice of materials, seals, accessories and actuation options also allows the valve to be configured around specific operating conditions.

Complete Valve Automation Packages

Bonomi UK holds extensive UK stocks of valves, pneumatic actuators, switch boxes, and positioners, along with a wide range of accessories.

Alongside standard automated valve packages, the company can develop bespoke brackets, mounting components and linkage systems where an off-the-shelf solution is not available.

This project demonstrates how Bonomi UK combines product availability, technical expertise and in-house assembly capabilities to deliver complete valve packages for demanding industrial applications.

For support with actuated knife gate valves, proportional flow control or bespoke valve assemblies, contact the Bonomi UK team.

Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy, supporting everything from cloud computing and financial services to AI and high-performance computing. As processing demands increase, so does the need for reliable and efficient cooling systems to manage the heat generated by high-density server environments.

To ensure uptime and operational efficiency, data centre infrastructure relies on robust flow control solutions that regulate cooling water, heating systems and fire protection circuits. High-quality valves, actuators and monitoring instrumentation are therefore essential to maintaining stable operating conditions across these critical systems.

Bonomi UK supports this infrastructure with high-performance European-manufactured valves and automation solutions, backed by local stock, technical expertise and support from our UK offices, automation centre and warehouses.

High-Quality Valve Solutions for Critical Cooling Systems

Bonomi UK provides a comprehensive range of high-quality valves designed to support the demanding requirements of data centre infrastructure.

Valves are fundamental to the safe and efficient operation of cooling and heating systems within data centres. They enable isolation, flow regulation and system control across chilled water circuits, condenser loops and heat rejection systems.

Ball Valves for Isolation and Control

Ball valves from the RB and Valpres ranges offer reliable isolation and flow control within chilled water circuits, cooling loops and heating systems.

Available in brass, carbon steel and stainless steel configurations, these valves provide:

• Robust performance in demanding environments
• Excellent sealing and durability
• Options for manual or automated operation
• Suitability for high-pressure applications

Their reliability and long service life make them a trusted solution for data centre applications.

Butterfly Valves for Large Diameter Pipework

Butterfly valves are commonly used in larger cooling circuits where compact installation and efficient flow control are required. Their lightweight design and excellentflow characteristics make them a practical and cost-effective solution for large pipe diameters.

They are frequently installed within chilled water distribution systems, condenser water loops and fire protection systems. Bonomi can quickly specify and supply a wide range of butterfly valves suitable for use within data centre applications.

Actuation for Automated System Control

As data centres become increasingly automated, actuated valves are essential for maintaining precise control across cooling systems.

Valbia electric and pneumatic actuators enable seamless integration with building management systems, allowing operators to monitor and control cooling systems remotely while improving efficiency and responsiveness.

Automated valve systems support:

• Precise regulation of cooling flows
• Integration with BMS and IoT platforms
• Energy optimisation
• Fail-safe system protection

By combining valves and actuators from a globally recognised manufacturer, operators benefit from proven compatibility and reliable long-term performance.

Monitoring Flow, Pressure and System Performance

Beyond flow control, monitoring equipment is crucial for maintaining system stability and efficiency and Bonomi can specify and supply this equipment too. Sensors and instrumentation provide real-time visibility of system performance, enabling operators to detect anomalies, prevent failures and optimise energy usage.

Typical monitoring solutions include:

• Pressure gauges and transmitters
• Flow meters
• Level sensors
• Servo-assisted solenoid valves

These devices support predictive maintenance strategies and allow facility managers to maintain high uptime levels, which are essential in mission-critical environments such as data centres.

Bonomi UK – A Complete Solutions Provider

Bonomi UK offers far more than individual components. Through our global group of manufacturers and subsidiaries, we are able to provide fully integrated flow control solutions tailored to the specific operational, control and regulatory requirements of each facility.

By supplying valves, actuators and ancillary instrumentation as a complete package, customers benefit from:

• Proven compatibility between components
• Simplified procurement and installation
• Quick delivery from our UK warehouse
• Technical support from a single supplier

Case Study – Supporting Cooling Equipment Manufacturers

Bonomi products are widely used by manufacturers of advanced cooling equipment designed for high-performance data centre environments.

One example is a customer who specialise in adiabatic cooling systems.

Adiabatic coolers are used to improve cooling efficiency by reducing water consumption while maintaining effective heat rejection. They also support free cooling strategies that reduce reliance on energy-intensive mechanical chillers during cooler periods.

For this adiabatic project, Bonomi supplied a range of components including:

• Brass ball valves
• Servo-assisted normally open valves with coil and plug
• Servo-assisted solenoid valves
• Pressure gauges
• Lugged butterfly valves in multiple sizes

These products help support the reliable operation of cooling equipment while ensuring durability, ease of installation and long-term system performance.

Global Manufacturing Strength with Local UK Support

Bonomi combines the strength of globally recognised European valve and actuator brands with local service and support.

From our UK headquarters, we provide:

• Local stock availability
• Technical specification support
• Application guidance
• Responsive service and aftersales support

This combination of global manufacturing expertise and local support ensures customers receive both high-quality products and the technical confidence required for critical applications.

Speak to Our Technical Team

Our technical specialists can help you specify the most suitable valves, actuators and monitoring solutions for your application, whether you are designing new infrastructure, upgrading existing cooling systems or integrating advanced control technologies.

From individual components to complete packaged solutions, we provide the expertise and product support required for mission-critical environments.

Contact our technical team today to discuss your data centre application.

Download our Data Centre Brochure Here!

📧 Email: sales@bonomi.co.uk

📞 Tel: 024 7635 4535

🌐 www.bonomi.co.uk

Bonomi UK is delighted to announce that we will be exhibiting at the LAMMA Show 2026, the UK’s leading agricultural machinery and technology event. The show takes place at the NEC Birmingham on Wednesday 14 January (8:00am–6:00pm) and Thursday 15 January (8:00am–4:30pm).

Visit us at stand 19.586

As a trusted partner to the agricultural industry, Bonomi UK will showcase a comprehensive range of hydraulic and process solutions designed to meet the needs of OEMs, engineers, buyers, and procurement professionals working across farm machinery and agricultural equipment.

Hydraulics Solutions on Display

Visitors to the Bonomi stand will see a wide selection of high-performance products, with a focus on Manuli Q-Safe couplings – the full range. Manuli is one of the leading names in hydraulic components, and the Q-Safe quick-release couplings will be a key highlight of our exhibit. Bonomi is the trusted UK partner for Manuli and has been growing the relationship over the last 10 years.

Alongside this, we will also display:

• Sewer jetting hose
• Hydraulic hose solutions
• High-pressure and low-pressure ball valves
• Electrically actuated PVC ball valves
• Knife gate valves manufactured by CMO
• Butterfly valves manufactured by CMO
• Pressure gauges & pressure and level sensors
• Non-return valves, strainers, and solenoid valves
• Hydraulic adapters

All of which are available to purchase from Bonomi UK from a range of renowned manufacturers, all part of the Bonomi Group, including Valbia, Valpress, CMO Valves & Manuli.

Key Highlights

At LAMMA 2026, Bonomi UK will be placing a spotlight on:

• Q-Safe quick-release couplings from Manuli
• Butterfly valves & Actuated ball valves from CMO, Valpress & Valbia.
• Knife gate valves from CMO.

These solutions provide robust, reliable performance in demanding agricultural applications, ensuring efficiency and long-term value for machinery manufacturers and operators alike.

Join Us at LAMMA 2026

We look forward to welcoming both existing and new customers to our stand, where our technical experts will be on hand to discuss how Bonomi UK can support agricultural equipment manufacturers with quality hydraulic and process solutions.

LAMMA 2026 promises to be an unmissable event for the industry, and we are excited to be part of it.

📅 Save the date:

• Wednesday, 14 January 2026 (8:00am–6:00pm)
• Thursday, 15 January 2026 (8:00am–4:30pm)

📍 NEC, Birmingham – Visit us at stand 19.586

European Water Flow Control Expertise Arrives in the UK Market

CMO Valves, a leading European valve manufacturer, announced its entry to the UK Utilities industry at this year’s Utility Week Live show in Birmingham.

Partnered with Bonomi UK, a leading provider of products and complementary services for the flow control industry, CMO Valves showcased its latest valve and flow control solutions including those designed specifically for the water, wastewater and utility sectors.

Operating as part of Bonomi UK, CMO Valves remains privately owned and managed by its original founders. The Spanish-born company designs, manufactures and assembles both standard and bespoke valves and components. Its offering includes large-diameter valves, penstocks, check valves and knife gate valves, with WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approvals for use in drinking water systems.

At Stand H4, CMO presented a range of innovative valves, including:

• Double Flange Butterfly Valve – Series 23D – Used for regulation and flow sectioning in water supply facilities, plumbing, irrigation, and similar applications.
• Resilient Seated Gate Valve – Series 11A – A resilient seat gate valve designed for pumping, irrigation, drinking water supply, and treatment. It features minimum head loss, full bore, 100% watertight performance, and can be repacked under pipeline pressure.
• Unidirectional Knife Gate Valve – Series A – Available with manual drives (handwheel, lever, geared motor with handwheel) and actuated drives (pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric).
• Dual Plate Check Valve – Series 33A – A reduced-size, high-performance dual plate check valve, suitable for fire prevention, HVAC, irrigation, and water supply systems.
• Metal Seated Gate Valve – Series 11A – Designed for use in pumping, irrigation, drinking water supply, treatment, and dirty water applications.

“CMO Valves is a respected and well-known name in Europe,” says Bonomi UK, Sales Manager, Jason Hitchins. “Having successfully supplied European markets for many years, the company brings a wealth of innovative manufacturing, and a comprehensive range of core products aligned to the needs of the UK water industry.”

Against the backdrop of Clean Power 2030 and AMP8 – an initiative introduced by Ofwat to create an accountable framework for managing the water and wastewater services industry – Bonomi UK and CMO Valves aim to lead the charge in helping to accomplish the industry’s objectives of achieving net-zero emissions and improving sustainable practices.

“Among its other objectives,” says Cristian Arrabal, Technical Manager for CMO Valves, “AMP8 sets out quantified targets to reduce leakage, reduce pollution and to cut internal sewer flooding incidents. In this regard, our goal is to help businesses across each sector to make significant contributions through reliance on industry-proven, high-quality components.”

To support these goals, Bonomi UK plans to draw on the extensive stock holding of CMO Valves in Spain. Continued investment will enable the expansion of UK-based inventory, ensuring fast delivery and robust after-market support.

“CMO Valves is the perfect fit,” adds Jason Hitchins. “Together we continue to work closely with contractors, maintenance teams and plant engineers to offer customer-focused, practical and cost-effective solutions backed by round-the-clock technical support.”

Bonomi UK is part of the Bonomi Group – a global organisation specialising in the production of valves, actuators and related components for various industrial sectors including hydraulics, water, heating and energy.

Together, Bonomi UK and CMO Valves are setting a new standard in flow control for the UK water industry by combining trusted engineering, proven product performance, and a shared commitment to sustainability. With innovation at the core and customer success as the goal, this partnership brings European valve expertise within easy reach of UK utilities, ensuring reliable solutions, rapid support, and long-term value for every project.

Contact our team team for any enquiries.