Despite serving very different functions, gate valves, globe valves, and check valves are often spoken about concurrently, due to the many similarities in: construction material grades, trims, and other technical specifications. A Gate Valve, also known as a sluice valve, is the most common type of valve used and are a cost-effective way to provide a quality sealing valve with a high-temperature tolerance.
Application Considerations
Gate valves are obligatory in applications that require minimum pressure loss in areas where bi-directional flow is desirable.
Once again, because a gate valve is designed to be completely open or completely closed, it will not have the impact on the overall pressure of the system.Gate valves should be designed using the same size opening on either end. Any narrowing or widening will change the flow of fluid and limit the efficiency of a system.
Gate Valve Operation
As the name suggests, gate valves work by a simple “gate” mechanism that executes the important function of regulating fluid flow through the system. The “gate” itself is usually a round or rectangular gate/wedge. However, it’s essential to note that a gate valve only delivers a no-flow or full-flow condition and can only be functioned in one position. It will not work in an application where partial flow is required.
A distinct feature of a gate valve is that the sealing surfaces between the gate and seats are planar, so gate valves are often used when a straight-line flow of fluid and minimum restriction is desired. Gate faces can be parallel, but are most commonly wedge-shaped.
Because of their ability to cut through liquids, gate valves are often used in the petroleum industry.
Gate valves are characterized as having either a rising or a non-rising stem, depending on which end of the stem is threaded. Rising stems are fixed to the gate and rise and lower together as the valve is operated, providing a visual indication of valve position.
Gate valves are actuated by a threaded stem which connects the actuator (e.g. handwheel or motor) to the gate. The actuator takes the form of a nut which is rotated around the threaded stem to move it. Nonrising stem valves are fixed to, and rotate with, the actuator, and are threaded into the gate. They may have a pointer threaded onto the upper end of the stem to indicate valve position, since the gate's motion is concealed inside the valve. Nonrising stems are used underground or where vertical space is limited.
