Description

How Does A Gate Valve Work?

A gate valve is a type of pipeline valve. When the valve is fully opened, it lifts the gate, allowing fluid to flow. Gate valves are used to shut off or allow full flow in pipelines.

They are mainly used in the industrial world. They are effective at regulating flow and reducing the total cost of ownership. These valves are also able to withstand high-viscosity fluids.

A gate valve is also known as a control valve. It allows media to flow freely as well as stop the flow completely. The best thing about this valve is that it offers unobstructed passage for the medium to flow, thereby preventing pressure loss.

This valve is very simple and easy to use and works by inserting a gate into the path of the flow. If you want to know more about the working mechanism of the gate valve, continue reading this article. 

What is a Gate Valve?

A gate valve is a type of pipeline stopper. The purpose of this type of valve is to prevent flow, not regulate it. These valves are most commonly found in the industrial world. This type of valve is designed to pierce high-viscosity fluids. The key to choosing the right one for your needs is understanding its various uses. 

A gate valve comes in many variations, including the wedge and knife types. The wedge gate is the most common type, especially in marine applications. It features a wedge-shaped metal piece that can move in and out of the valve body. A wedge gate offers a positive pressure seal but may allow seepage at low-pressure levels. In some cases, gate valves may be installed in vertical and horizontal configurations. If you have a hydraulic system, consider a wedge gate valve.

A gate valve has a low flow resistance due to its straight-through wetted area and the fact that the media can flow freely in either direction. Its end-to-end dimension is short, and its manufacturing process is excellent. Its maintenance is not easy as the valve needs to be cleaned before installation. 

How Does A Gate Valve Work?

Gate valves are very simple devices and are commonly used in applications that require a low-pressure drop. As the gates are usually not fully open, they only restrict the flow of fluid. 

They are also useful for high-pressure services as their operation is slow. However, the low-pressure drop makes them less efficient than other valve types. Gate valves are also used in pipelines where hammering is an issue. 

A gate valve comes with a rectangular gate or a wedge to restrict the flow. It also comes with a threaded stem which is connected to the actuator. The stem is connected to the gate in the valve. To open the valve, you need to turn the handwheel 360 degrees. 

It will cause the gate to move up and down on the stem in order to control the flow. When the gate is lifted up, there is no restriction, and the medium flows freely. When the gate is lowered, it blocks the flow of media. This is how a gate valve work.