What is Gate Valve?

A gate valve can be defined as a type of valve that used a gate or wedge type disk and the disk moves perpendicular to flow to start or stop the fluid flow in piping.

A gate valve is the most common type of valve used in any process plant. It is a linear motion valve used to start or stop fluid flow. In service, these valves are either in a fully open or fully closed position.

When the gate valve is fully open, the disk of a gate valve is completely removed from the flow. Therefore virtually no resistance to flow. Due to this very little pressure drops when fluid passes through a gate valve.

To achieve proper sealing, when the valve is fully closed, 360° surface contact is required between disk and seats.

Gate valves should not be used for regulation or throttling of flow because accurate control is not possible.

The high velocity of the flow in the partially open valve may cause erosion of the disc and seating surfaces and also creates vibration and noise.