Gate valves are a widely used type of industrial valve designed primarily to start or stop the flow of liquids and gases through pipework. They are commonly found across industries including water and wastewater, oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation and general industrial applications.
At Industrial Valve Outlet, we supply industrial valves to customers across a wide range of industries and applications. In this guide, we'll explain what gate valves are, how they work and where they can be used.
What Is a Gate Valve?
A gate valve is a type of isolation valve that uses a gate-shaped disc to control the flow through a pipeline.
When the valve is opened, the gate is lifted out of the flow path, allowing the medium to pass through the valve with minimal restriction. When the valve is closed, the gate moves down into the valve body and blocks the passage, stopping the flow.
Gate valves are generally designed for fully open or fully closed operation rather than regulating flow.
How Does a Gate Valve Work?
Gate valves operate by moving the internal gate vertically within the valve body.
A handwheel, gearbox or actuator is used to move the valve stem, which raises or lowers the gate.
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Fully open: The gate is raised completely, allowing the medium to flow through the valve.
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Partially open: The gate is partially lowered, restricting the flow. However, gate valves are generally not recommended for prolonged throttling applications.
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Fully closed: The gate is lowered into position, stopping the flow through the pipe.
Unlike quarter-turn valves such as butterfly valves, gate valves typically require multiple turns of the handwheel to move from fully open to fully closed.
What Are Gate Valves Used For?
Gate valves are commonly used where reliable isolation of a section of pipework is required.
They are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, depending on the valve's materials, pressure rating, temperature rating and construction.
Common applications include:
Water and Wastewater
Gate valves are widely used throughout water and wastewater systems to isolate sections of pipework and equipment.
Applications can include:
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Water treatment plants
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Wastewater treatment facilities
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Water distribution networks
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Pumping stations
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Irrigation systems
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Industrial water systems
Gate valves can be particularly useful in applications where a full-bore flow path is required when the valve is open.
Oil and Gas
Gate valves are commonly used within oil and gas installations for isolation duties.
Depending on their specification, they can be used on pipelines, processing equipment, storage facilities and other systems where reliable shut-off is required.
Material selection, pressure class, temperature and the characteristics of the medium being handled are important considerations when selecting a gate valve for these applications.
Chemical and Process Industries
Gate valves can be used in chemical and process installations where suitable isolation is required.
Because chemical media can vary considerably, the valve needs to be selected according to the specific fluid, concentration, operating temperature and pressure.
The compatibility of the valve body, gate, seats and seals with the process medium should all be considered.
Power Generation
Gate valves can be found in various power generation applications, where they may be used to isolate sections of steam, water and other process systems.
The required valve specification will depend on factors such as operating pressure and temperature, as well as the particular application.
Industrial Processing
Across general industry, gate valves can be used in pipework systems carrying water, air, gases, oils and other compatible media.
They may be installed to isolate pumps, vessels, process equipment and individual sections of a pipework system.
What Are the Advantages of Gate Valves?
Gate valves offer several characteristics that make them suitable for industrial isolation applications.
Full-Bore Flow
When a suitable gate valve is fully open, the gate is lifted clear of the flow path. This can provide a relatively unrestricted passage through the valve and help minimise pressure loss.
Effective Isolation
Gate valves are primarily designed for isolation, making them useful when a section of a pipework system needs to be shut off for maintenance or other operational requirements.
Suitable for Large Pipe Sizes
Gate valves are available in a broad range of sizes, including larger sizes used in industrial and infrastructure applications.
Wide Range of Materials and Specifications
Gate valves can be manufactured from different materials and supplied in various pressure classes and configurations, allowing them to be specified for different operating conditions.
Versatile Industrial Applications
With the correct specification, gate valves can be used across numerous industries and for a variety of compatible liquids and gases.
Types of Gate Valves
There are several different gate valve designs available, with the appropriate type depending on the application and operating requirements.
Wedge Gate Valves
Wedge gate valves use a wedge-shaped gate that moves between the valve seats to provide isolation.
They are commonly used across industrial and commercial pipework systems and are available in a variety of materials and specifications.
Parallel Gate Valves
Parallel gate valves use parallel gate faces and seats. They can be used in certain industrial applications where their particular design characteristics are appropriate.
Rising Stem Gate Valves
With a rising stem design, the stem moves upwards as the valve is opened. The position of the stem provides a visible indication of whether the valve is open or closed.
Non-Rising Stem Gate Valves
In a non-rising stem design, the stem rotates without moving vertically outside the valve body.
This configuration can be useful where installation space above the valve is restricted.
Gate Valves vs Butterfly Valves
Gate valves and butterfly valves can both be used for pipework isolation, but their designs and operating characteristics are different.
A gate valve uses a gate that moves vertically to open or close the flow path, while a butterfly valve uses a rotating disc.
Butterfly valves use quarter-turn operation and are generally more compact, whereas gate valves typically require multiple turns to operate.
The correct choice depends on factors including pipe size, available space, pressure and temperature requirements, flow characteristics, installation requirements and the intended use of the valve.
Are Gate Valves Suitable for Flow Control?
Gate valves are primarily designed for isolation rather than flow regulation.
Although a gate valve can technically be left partially open, prolonged throttling can result in increased wear, vibration and potential damage to the valve depending on the application.
If you need to regularly regulate or control flow, a different valve type may be more appropriate. A valve specialist can help determine which design is suitable for your particular application.
How Do You Choose the Right Gate Valve?
Selecting the correct gate valve requires consideration of the complete operating conditions of the system.
Important factors include:
The medium: What liquid, gas or other material will pass through the valve?
Pressure: What are the normal and maximum operating pressures?
Temperature: What temperatures will the valve be exposed to during operation?
Valve size: The valve needs to be correctly sized for the pipework and system requirements.
Materials: The valve body, gate, seats, stem and seals need to be suitable for the medium and operating conditions.
Connection: Consider whether a flanged, threaded or other connection is required for the installation.
Operation: Determine whether manual operation is suitable or whether the valve needs to be operated using a gearbox or actuator.
Installation space: The available space around and above the valve can influence the most suitable design.
Application: Consider whether the valve is being used for isolation, maintenance shut-off or another specific duty.
Getting these factors right is important for ensuring the valve is suitable for the application and can provide reliable service.
Industrial Gate Valves from Industrial Valve Outlet
At Industrial Valve Outlet, we supply industrial valves for a wide range of industries and applications.
We understand that every pipework system has different requirements, which is why selecting the correct valve specification is important. Whether you're replacing an existing gate valve, installing new pipework or looking for a suitable isolation valve for an industrial system, our team can help you identify the right solution.
Our range of industrial valves is designed to meet the requirements of different applications, with options available across a variety of sizes, materials and configurations.
Looking for a gate valve for your application?
Get in touch with Industrial Valve Outlet to discuss your requirements and find out more about our range of industrial valves. Email sales@industrialvalveoutlet.com or contact us on +44 (0)1482 697583.