Why choose gate valves?

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1. Low flow resistance and low flow resistance coefficient

When the gate valve is fully open, the valve body channel is basically the same as the inner diameter of the pipeline, and water can pass through almost in a straight line without changing the flow direction. Therefore, its flow resistance is extremely small (mainly from the edge of the valve plate), and the energy loss is small, making it very suitable for systems with strict requirements for pressure drop.

2. The opening and closing torque is relatively small, and the operation is relatively effortless.

Since the movement direction of the gate plate is perpendicular to the water flow direction, during the opening and closing process, the force exerted by the water pressure on the gate plate is parallel to the valve stem axis. This results in a relatively small torque or thrust required for operation (especially for parallel gate plates), making it convenient for manual operation or allowing the use of a lower-power actuator.

3. Bidirectional flow, no installation direction restrictions

The valve passage of a gate valve is usually symmetrically designed, allowing water to flow in from either side. This feature means that the installation does not need to consider the flow direction of the medium, offering flexible layout and is also suitable for pipelines where the flow direction may change.

4. Minimal erosion of the sealing surface when fully open

When the valve is fully open, the gate is lifted completely to the upper part of the valve cavity and separated from the flow passage. Therefore, the water flow does not directly erode the sealing surface, thus extending the service life of the sealing surface.

5. Relatively short structural length

Compared with certain types of valves (such as globe valves), gate valves have a relatively short structural length, which gives them an advantage in situations where installation space is limited.

6. Wide range of medium applicability

Different materials and sealing forms can be selected according to different working conditions. It is suitable for various media such as water, oil, steam, gas, and even slurry containing particles. Before the ball valve and butterfly valve were invented, the gate valve was the main valve choice for water plants, power plants and chemical enterprises. Due to the large diameter of the open pipeline and sufficient vertical installation space, it was mostly used in main pipelines that were not frequently operated.