Everything You Need to Know About Gate Valves and Their Uses
In industries where unrestricted flow and complete closure are required, gate valves are most commonly used to secure controlled movement of fluids. Their simple design, solid sealing, and other features make them a reliable option to control the fluid flow in large-scale operations, like oil pipelines. However, having complete knowledge about this useful equipment is necessary for safe operations.
Continue reading this blog to learn about gate valve uses, types, how they work, what their advantages are, and more that will help you understand why these are trusted by businesses across many industries.
Table of Contents
What is a Gate Valve?
Gate valves are the most widely used fluid flow control devices that are used in various industrial operations. They are either used to completely stop or fully allow the passage of liquid or gas in a pipeline. Even though they offer effective sealing, their simple structure makes them a trusted option. This works by lifting or lowering the gate inside the valve body. For example, if the handwheel is turned and the stem rises, the gate creates a completely open passage for fluid flow, while turning the handwheel in the opposite direction lowers the gate, blocking the path fully.
Main Components of a Gate Valve
You can understand the working of gate valves better by knowing about the main components they’re made of. Here are the five main components of this trusted flow control device that together make sure that the valve opens and closes smoothly during any industrial operation:
1. Body
It is the valve’s outer main casing that holds all internal parts together. It is made from durable materials, as it connects directly to the pipeline, so it must be strong to handle harsh pressure and corrosion conditions.
2. Gate (or Disc)
This is the movable part of a gate valve that moves up and down to allow and block the flow. It can have a wedge or split edge design, and when it is completely lowered, it fully blocks the flow, and in a reverse situation, it allows a clear passage.
3. Stem
This component connects the gate to the motor or handwheel and can be visible or nonvisible, based on the valve design. If it is connected to a handwheel, it allows manual operations, and when connected to the motor, it offers automated operations.
4. Bonnet
This covers the top of the valve body in many designs, and it can be removed for repairs or part replacement.
5. Handwheel
This is the component that makes a valve manually operated, as by turning it, the stem rotates, which raises or lowers the gate.
Types of Gate Valves
Gate valves are available in various designs that make them a suitable option for different flow conditions and system needs. Generally, they are divided based on the type of gate they use or the stem operation. Here are the two main types of this useful flow control equipment:
Based on gate type:
1. Solid Wedge
These are the most common and simplest type of gate valves, featuring a one-piece solid disc. These are used in industrial operations with high-pressure and high-temperature systems but are not a good option for systems where thermal expansion is a concern.
2. Flexible Wedge
These feature a cut or groove that offers slight flexibility and helps the gate seat better and handle minor temperature changes. These are commonly used in systems with frequent temperature changes.
3. Split Wedge
Unlike the solid type, it has two separate wedge components, and it is mostly used for non-condensing gases or liquids that don’t leave residue. In case of pressure buildup, gate valves with a solid wedge design stick, but they don’t.
Based on stem design:
1. Rising Stem
In this type of gate valve, the stem is visible when it moves up. This is used for operations where space is not a constraint and helps in knowing the valve position from a distance.
2. Non-Rising Stem
The stem doesn’t move up and down in this type of gate valve, and is ideally used for confined places, like underground pipes. Knowing about the valve position is not easy in this case.
Advantages of Gate Valves
Before learning about the various gate valve uses, it is a must to understand its benefits that make it a suitable fit for several industrial applications.
1. Full-bore flow- When a gate valve is fully open, it offers an unrestricted passage for the liquid and gases, which makes it helpful for systems where maintaining flow rate and volume is important. The zero obstruction in the flow path, when it is in the fully open state, makes it reliable flow control equipment.
2. Minimal Pressure Drop- As these offer a straight flow passage when fully open, they create minimal resistance and minimal pressure loss across the valve, making them a good choice for long pipeline systems. Not only does the lower pressure drop help with enhancing the overall flow performance, but it also allows energy-efficient use.
3. Tight Sealing- When they are fully closed, these create a solid seal, preventing leakage even in high-pressure and temperature conditions. This advantage makes it the most trusted option for systems that require complete isolation of flow.
4. Low Maintenance- The best part about the gate valves is their simple design, as they have very few movable components, making them easier to maintain. This makes them a cost-effective option for systems where long-term reliability is needed without frequent servicing.
5. Suitable for Bi-Directional Flow- Another big advantage of this equipment is that it allows flow in either direction, making it a more reliable choice for systems where it is not always known how the fluid enters the system, like complex piping networks where flow direction may reverse sometimes.
Major Industrial Applications of Gate Valves
Here are the top 3 industrial gate valve uses:
1. Water Treatment Plants
These are widely used in water treatment plants to control the flow of clean or treated water, as their full open-close mechanism ensures efficient flow control with minimal pressure loss.
2. Oil & Gas Pipelines
These are used to isolate sections for maintenance or emergencies while handling high pressures and temperatures in oil and gas pipelines, as their tight sealing capability makes them best for moving crude oil, gas, or refined fuels.
3. Power Plants
Gate valves uses in power plants because of their durability and ability to handle extreme conditions, and are used to regulate steam, water, and fuel flow in various systems, from boilers to cooling lines.
Conclusion
From water systems to oil pipelines and other industrial applications, the gate valve uses are many, thanks to its excellent features, including a simple design, various types, bi-directional flow capability, and others. You first need to understand your operations requirements and needs, and then select a gate valve that fits your operations.
Connect with Next Oil Solutions, the top-rated gate valve supplier in Kuwait, to secure high-quality gate valves meeting all necessary industrial standards. Moreover, our expert team also helps clients in choosing the right solution based on their system’s pressure, flow, and other needs. Whether you need a durable seal or a full-bore flow, our gate valves offer long-term reliability with efficient and smooth operations.
Also Read – How Does a Pressure Transducer Work?