What Does a Gate Valve Do?

A gate valve is generally used to completely shut off fluid flow or, in the fully open position, provide full flow in a pipeline. Thus it is used either in the fully closed or fully open positions. A gate valve consists of a valve body, seat and disc, a spindle, gland, and a wheel for operating the valve.

What Does a Gate Valve Do?

A gate valve is a valve that opens by lifting a round or rectangular gate/wedge out of the path of the fluid.

The distinct feature of a gate valve is 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 flow restriction is desired.

It is a type of valve used to control the flow of liquids and gases. Gate valves are primarily used to start or stop the flow of liquids, gases, or slurries by lifting or lowering a round or rectangular gate/wedge out of the path of the fluid.

The advantage of a gate valve is that it can be fully opened or closed with a very small turning movement of the operating handwheel or lever.

This is in contrast to a globe valve, where the gate must be turned through almost a complete revolution to open or close the valve.

The main disadvantage of a gate valve is that it is not suitable for regulating flow, because the gate must be either fully open or fully closed to allow flow.

Partial opening of the gate creates a large pressure drop across the valve, which can damage the valve and cause cavitation (vaporization of the liquid) in the downstream piping. Gate valves are