A butterfly valve assembly for use in a fluid flow containing particles of debris is provided including a valve element. The valve element has a seal groove that extends about a periphery and defines an upstream side and a downstream side of the valve element. A seal is disposed within the seal groove. A clearance exists between the seal and an edge of the seal groove. Also, a relief is formed in either the valve element or the seal. The particles of debris accumulate in the relief and not the clearance.