A gate valve is the most popular valve for water supply systems. It is typically used to control the flow of liquids and gases by opening and closing the gate located in the passageway.
A water Gate Valve is a type of valve that functions like a gate, they are required in completely shut-off fluid flow or in the fully open position to supply full flow in the pipeline. Gate valves are proven best performers for water treatment plants.
Are you looking forward to purchase a perfect and suitable Gate Valve but have no idea where to? Also if you want to learn more about Gate Valves, including the types of gate valves, functions, advantages, components, gate valve working principles, and a lot more. You are at the right place. Here at Cair Euromatic Automation, we have an informative and helpful blog for you.
What is Gate Valve?
Gate Valve is a control valve that opens by lifting a barrier called the gate, out of the flow line of media. They require very little space for the action to operate.
A leading advantage of the Gate Valve is the straight-through unobstructed passageway, which embraces minimal pressure loss over the valve operation.
However, these Valves are quite slower than quarter turn valves and they should be used only in the fully open and fully closed position, not to regulate the flow.
Gate valves are operated manually and this valve is also known as the Sluice valve.
Types of Gate Valve
According to the construction of water applications, the types of Gate valves are divided based on their disc and types of stem. They are classified as:
- Knife Gate valve
- Resilient Gate valve
- Parallel Dsik Gate valve
- Solid Wedge Gate valve
- Flexible Wedge Gate valve
- Split Wedge Gate valve
- Double Disc Gate valve
- Bellow Seat Gate valve
- Rising Stem Gate valve and Non-Rising Stem Gate valve
Knife Gate valve
Knife gate valves are the most common type of gate valve. It has a flat gate feature between two parallel seats to provide the required shut-off. These types of valves consist of two discs pressed apart against parallel seats. Applications of knife gate valves are limited to low-pressure. Cair Euromatic Automation manufactures Cast Iron, Cast Steel, Stainless Steel, and Alloy Steel Knife Edge Gate valves. The flexibility of the manufactured gate valve function makes it suitable for different industries.
Resilient Gate Valves
Resilient valves use Resilient seats. A resiliently mounted shut-off valve ensures reliable shut-off. Applications for gate valves are described as, water distribution systems, Isolation systems, and water supply. Resilient valves are suitable for medium temperatures. Resilient valves can be mounted in any position and are suitable for almost all types of media. For water applications, It enables a reliable and safe supply of drinking water.
Considerations Guide to Maintain
One of the most important considerations when choosing the correct gate valve is the size of the valve in the system. If you choose the wrong valve size, it can cause problems in your line and also you will face many other problems. It also determines the temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the medium in which the gate valve uses.
Components and Construction of Gate Valve
A gate valve has a straight forward design and can be used in a variety of low-pressure drop applications and also offers efficient sealing. As a result of its superiority, it has become one of the most widely used valves in the world today. Gate valves are designed as full-port valves. It empowers cleaning the pipe by using a cleaning pig.
The following are the primary parts of a gate valve: the body, bonnet, gate, stem, handwheel, and seat. Let’s explore them in greater detail:
Body
The main component of the gate valve is the Body. The valve body houses every component of the valve. It offers access to the media flow from the valve and is attached to both ends of the pipeline. The connection type is the most crucial choice, and it depends on the needs of the client including the operating pressure and valve size.
Bonnet
The body is attached to the bonnet. This element’s function is to supply merging to the Gate valve’s interior parts. The valve’s body is typically attached to the bonnet, which contains the moving parts by using nuts and screws from a seal. It usually connects to the body and disconnects to provide access for internal component repair or maintenance.
Gate
This part is in charge of slicing through the materials and stopping the flow. Gate designs and technologies come in a variety of forms to accommodate a wide range of application requirements.
Stem
The function of the stem in a Gate valve is to raise or lower the gate. The threaded stem is rotated to complete the process. It is done by a manual handwheel or an actuator.
Seat
The gate valve seats are either built into the body of the gate valve or are incorporated. It is made of the same substance as the valve body. The seat rings are sealed and welded to the valve body after being threaded into place or pressed into place. This type of construction is perfect for high-temperature situations since it allows for more variation than integral seats.
The design of the gate valve has not changed much over a century. However, some changes were made to the design of some slide valve elements. Most of the changes are limited to extending service life, improving sealing properties, and using high-quality materials and adhesives to improve corrosion protection. At the same time, the advanced water gate valve body has a compact elegant design that requires installation in limited spaces.
Gate valve operation and Maintenance
Slide valves are simply controlled by a handwheel or actuator. The handwheel is attached to the valve stem. It operates similarly to other valves. When opening the valve, turning the handwheel threads the gate stems into the gate to close.
A Gate valve requires more than 360° rotation to fully open and close the valve. When the gate is raised, it opens the inlet and outlet, allowing the material to flow freely. And if that port is lower, it closes and blocks the media. Shut-off valves are generally installed in areas of the pipeline where they open or close for long periods, as it usually takes some time to switch between these two positions. Gate valves should only be used for on/off control.
Troubleshooting tips for gate valve maintenance
- Turn the valve at least once a month if it is not used regularly.
- Check the flow pressure before any maintenance
- Replace the valve port by removing the upper body and stem.
- Remove from the piping in reverse order of installation
Applications of Gate Valves
Gate valves are used in many industrial applications including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, automotive, and marine. But Gate Valve is mostly recommended and suitable valve for water applications.
Water Main Gate Valve
Gate valves are the most popular type of valve used to open and close the flow of water in water applications. These valves are used to isolate parts of the system for maintenance.
Water Distribution Systems
A Gate valve used in a water distribution system is also called a water supply valve. Because these valves are generally used in underground pipelines that do not have risers. Its main function in this system is to prevent backflow, shut off water access, and adjust water pressure.
Industrial water systems
Industrial water application is used in many industries such as washing, dilution, and transportation. This water typically contains more ribbon solids, making slide valves ideal due to their full port design.
Waste water Treatment Plants
Gate valves are a type of shut-off valve used in waste water treatment equipment. They are particularly useful because of the knife edge of the gate. Which can cut through dust and other solids in the environment.
Advantages of Water Gate Valve
- The high shut-off function of the gate valve is excellent.
- The gate valve is bi-directional, so it can be used in two directions.
- Gate valves are used to open and close pipelines by lifting the gate valve out of the way.
- These valves are one of the most commonly used valves in industrial Applications.
- Gate valves are ideal for water applications
- Minimizes pressure loss
- This valve can handle high-flow and high-pressure environments.
- Simple design and easy to use
- The gate valve is durable and has a long service life
- Minimal torque required for valve operation saves labor.
- Gate valves can be used in pipelines where the medium flows in both directions and the direction of the medium flow is not restricted.
- Convenient installation and use, with excellent manufacturing technology.
- Relatively short valve length
Challenges and limitations of gate valves in water systems
Many issues can affect the operation of the water valve. Effective solutions to each problem will help prevent further complications. The most common causes of gate valve failure are corrosion and general wear over time, worm valve parts, temperature, improper installation, excessive stress, blocked valve stems, changing process conditions, and improper valve size.
- After the valve is restored and reassembled, the handwheel must be readjusted and a compression test must be performed.
- Installation and maintenance require a lot of space.
- Repairing and maintaining seating surfaces at the point of use is quite difficult.
- In water systems, where the high temperature changes irregularly,
- leaks occur in the gate valves at the end of the valve due to the load on the pipe.
- Seat surfaces are damaged by friction.
- Damage to valve stem and valve stem due to nut threads.
- Whether the package is defective.
- Sealing surface wear.
- Check, whether each part of the stroke absorber working normally.
The following sections summarize some of the main challenges associated with gate valves and how to solve and repair them.
- It must be checked continuously.
- Seat and guard leak
- Stem seal area leak
- Leakage between the handwheel and valve
- Leakage during opening or closing
If the gate valve is in trouble, the following work must be done.
- Clean the inner cavity and sealing surfaces, so that dirt is not allowed
- It must be checked whether the brand of the valve meets the requirements or the field of use.
- Consideration should be given to the position of the gate to ensure excellent flow
- If the valve does not provide the desired flow rate, it may be lost energy or damaged.
Future Trends in Gate Valve Technology
Hollow Design
Normally operating Gate valves have a cavity or pocket between the gate and the valve body when the valve is fully closed. This cavity can trap fluid, causing possible contamination and plugging during valve operation.
Self-cleaning function
Valves allow liquid to collect on the port and seating surfaces, which can affect tightness and overall performance. Advanced gate valves for water applications can incorporate self-cleaning mechanisms such as scraping or wiping surfaces to remove unnecessary dust and maintain optimal sealing.
Advanced materials and coatings
The gate valve body is now made of advanced materials that offer better corrosion resistance and durability. Materials such as steel, duplex, stainless steel, or high-performance alloy steel are often used in corrosive or high-pressure applications. In addition, advanced coatings such as hard chrome or ceramic coatings are applied to critical surfaces to increase wear resistance and extend valve life.
Intelligent and remote monitoring
Some gate valve models have integrated smart and latest technologies and sensors that enable remote monitoring and control. This empowers synchronized monitoring of valve status and performance, and anticipating maintenance. It improves overall efficiency, reliability, and operational safety.
Advanced sealing mechanisms
Gate valves have traditionally relied on a metal-to-metal seal that can wear and leak over time. Innovative gate valves include advanced sealing mechanisms such as flexible seats. It offers better resistance to wear, corrosion, and leakage, improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
