A gate valve opens by lifting a barrier from the flow’s path. Gate valves allow or prevent the flow of liquids, but typical gate valves shouldn’t be used for regulating flow unless they are specifically designed for that purpose.
Structure of gate valves
Typically, a gate valve consists of a round disk-shaped gate with a stem that is connected to a handle or wheel. The disk moves up and down to open and close the valve. The stem is connected to a seat, a sealing surface against which the gate rests when the valve is closed. The handle or wheel is used to open the valve and turns clockwise or counterclockwise depending on its build.
Gate valves are designed with features such as a bonnet, a threaded cover that houses the stem, and a packing gland, a device that seals the stem to prevent leakage.
Types
The gate valves are generally designed according to the need of the system, but some common types of gate valves used in the industrial setting are:
- Wedge Gate Valve: This type of gate valve uses a wedge-shaped disk that slides between two seats in the valve body. This disk creates a tight seal when the valve is closed.
- Parallel Slide Gate Valve: This type of valve uses two sliding gates in the same plane, which are moved by a handwheel or lever. The gates are designed to create a tight seal when the valve is closed.
- Knife Gate Valve: This type of valve has a blade-shaped disk that slides between two seats in the valve body. The disk is designed to cut through any debris or obstructions that may be in the flow of the fluid.
- Lift Check Valve: This type of valve uses a disk or plug lifted and away from the seat by the fluid flow. The disk or plug is designed to close the valve once the flow stops or reverses.
Advantages
Gate valves are generally favored over other valves in industrial usages, some of the reasons being:
- Gate valves are very easy to operate and maintain.
- They offer good tight shutoff capabilities and are very reliable.
- Gate valves are very cost-effective and durable.
- They can be used in a wide range of applications, including those with high pressure, temperature, and corrosive services.
- They are highly versatile, allowing for full or partial opening and closing of the valve.
- They provide a positive seal, meaning that once the valve is closed, it will remain sealed until it is opened again.
- They are generally resistant to wear and tear and have a long service life.
Industrial use
Gate valves are commonly used in industrial applications to control the flow of a variety of liquids and gases. Gate valves are also used to regulate the flow of oil in oil pipelines, to regulate the flow of steam in power plants, and to regulate the flow of water in water treatment plants.
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