Gate Valves: How They Work and Why You Need Them

Gate valves are a type of valve that is used to shut off or regulate the flow of fluids in a pipeline. Gate valves are similar in construction to globe valves, but the closure member and seat surface are parallel.

Principle of Operation:

The gate valve works by the valve stem driving the gate plate along the centerline of the seat, making the gate plate sealing surface and the seat sealing surface tightly fit, thus preventing fluid flow.

Function:

The functions of gate valves can be summarized as follows:

Shut off fluid flow: Gate valves can completely shut off the flow of fluids in a pipeline, and are used to cut off or isolate the pipeline.

Regulate fluid flow: Gate valves can regulate the flow of fluids by adjusting the angle of the valve opening.

Prevent fluid backflow: Gate valves can prevent fluid backflow, and are used to prevent fluids from flowing in the opposite direction in the pipeline.

Application:

Gate valves are widely used in a variety of industries, including water supply, drainage, gas, petroleum and chemical, metallurgy, and power.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

The advantages of gate valves are that they have a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, easy operation, and simple maintenance. The disadvantages are that the sealing performance is not as good as other valves, the flow resistance is large, and it is not suitable for regulating the flow of fluids.

Selection:

When selecting a gate valve, the type of fluid, temperature, pressure, and flow rate requirements should be considered to select the appropriate gate valve.

Additional Notes:

The term "gate" in gate valves refers to the closure member, which is typically a flat plate.

Gate valves are not typically used for throttling, as they have a relatively high flow resistance.

Gate valves are available in a variety of materials, including steel, stainless steel, and plastic.