Valves are essential in any production process that involves the flow of fluids. The motion of these fluids needs to be regulated, so they are restricted when they need to be and allowed when they need to flow. Valves will connect or separate equipment parts either by putting a sealing element down or lifting it.
Gate valves are the most commonly used type of valves in plumbing systems. They carry amazing features such as a total free flow of fluid when they are open.
How do gate valves work?
Gate valve manufacturers offer valves that channel a wide variety of fluids, including gas, fuel, air, water, hydrocarbons, and steam. They are designed with a wedge-shaped metal gate which can be lowered to restrict the flow of water or lifted to allow fluid through. They do not necessarily control the movement of fluid, as they can only either be fully open or fully closed. Using a gate valve to adjust water flow may instead cause damage to the valve due to wear and tear.
The merits of using gate valves
- The gate within the valve withdraws completely into the valve body when lifted, so there is no restriction whatsoever. If you need a valve that will allow full flow of fluid, a gate valve is your best shot.
- The opening and shutting of a gate valve is faster and easier than shut-off valves, and it offers better sealing to prevent leakages.
- They are useful in multiple spaces, allowing the flow of high-viscosity media and fluids containing granular solids.
- Gate valves are dual-flow and are therefore not limited to one-way flows. They will be suitable where the direction of flow may change, e.g., in multi-directional pipelines.
The demerits of gate valves
- The valve can only be raised or lowered manually, which can be slow and time-consuming.
- Repeated use of gate valves causes wear and tear, which reduces its sealing quality and lowers its efficiency.
