Gate Valve vs. Ball Valve: Choosing the Right Valve
Introduction
Choosing the right and appropriate valve for your project is important, and different types of valves are used in different places.Just like gate valves should be used in normally open or normally closed situations, muffler check valves are used after pumps.This is how you can utilize the valves to their best advantage.。
Valves have an important role in industry
1.Control fluid flow
2. Regulate the flow and pressure of the medium
3. Protect the piping system
4. Saving energy and resources
What is a Gate Valve?
Gate valves open by lifting an obstruction out of the path of the fluid. They require very little space along the pipeline’s axis and do little to restrict the flow of fluid when the gate is fully open. The gate surfaces can be parallel, but they are most commonly wedge-shaped.
These versatile valves are the most common in water supply systems, functioning as linear-motion isolation valves to stop or allow the flow of water.Gate valves got their name from the closure element sliding into the flow stream to provide shutoff, thus acting like a gate.These valves are used to isolate specific areas of the water supply network during maintenance, repair works, new installations, and to reroute water flow throughout the pipeline.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gate Valve
Advantages:
1. Save physical strength and suitable for workers to operate.
2. Reduce the resistance of fluid media.
3. When the gate valve is fully opened, the sealing surface is less susceptible to erosion than the stop valve.
4. The gate valve has good sealing performance, and the sealing surface is not easily eroded even when fully opened.
5. The valve appearance and casting process are mature and have a wide range of applications.
6. Short structure: The gate valve disc is arranged vertically in the valve body, shortening the structural length.
7. The flow direction of the medium is not restricted, and there is no obstruction of flow or reduction of pressure.
Disadvantages:
1. It takes longer than other valves, both to open and close;
2. the sealing surface of the valve plate and the valve seat in contact with each other, because the opening and closing of the gate valve will cause relative friction and thus lead to loss.
3.The gate valve structure is relatively complex, more parts and components, causing some difficulties in maintenance.
What Is a Ball Valve
A ball valve is a fluid flow control device that uses a hollow, porous and swingable ball to control the flow of fluid through it.When the hole in the center of the ball is aligned with the inflow port, it is open, and when it is swung 90 degrees by the valve handle, it closes the hole, stopping the flow of fluid.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ball Valve
advantages:
1. Ball valves have higher passing efficiency;
2. Ball valves are more convenient to use; only ninety degrees to select the handle to open or close the valve;
3. The construction of ball valve is simple, low maintenance cost and convenient;
4. Ball valves are usually very sturdy and can withstand high water pressure.
disadvantages:
- Ball valve caliber complete, a wide range of options.
Disadvantages:
1. Ball valves tend to clog
They are not suitable for slurry applications due to the presence of cavities around the ball and seat.Slurries or other viscous liquids tend to solidify or clog the inside of the valve cavity, resulting in a significant increase in operating torque and, in some cases, rendering the valve inoperable.
2. Ball valves do not control flow accuracy well
Ball valves can only be used in the fully open or fully closed position and are not suitable for long term throttling.In addition to the limited accuracy in controlling flow, according to the ball valve technical experts, the ball valve for a long time in the partially open position operation will lead to deformation of the valve’s soft seat around the edges of the ball hole, which may lead to the ball valve is locked in that position.
Gate Valve vs. Ball Valve
1.Working Principle Comparison
- Gate Valve
Fluid control by vertical movement of the gate plate
- Ball Valve
Fluid control by rotating the hollow Nak asu ball
2. Structural Differences
- Gate Valve
Valve body, bonnet, stem, gate, seat and actuator
- Ball Valve
Mainly consists of valve seat, ball, sealing ring, valve stem and other driving devices, etc.
3. Application Scenario
- Gate Valve
Oil and gas transmission pipelines.
Water and sewage treatment works.
- Ball Valve
1.Chemical industry: ball valve plays a key role in chemical industry.It can be used to control the flow of various chemicals, such as acids, alkalis, solvents and so on.
2. Power industry: ball valves are used in the power industry to control fluids in the thermal system, such as steam, cooling water, etc..Ball valves have good sealing performance and high temperature resistance, suitable for high temperature and high pressure conditions of fluid control.
3. Pharmaceutical industry: ball valves are used in the pharmaceutical industry to control the flow of drugs.
Choosing the Right Valve: Factors to Consider
Size: the diameter of the pipe is important;
Temperature: ambient temperatures as well as temperature differences can affect the material in different ways;
Medium: both water and oil should be fully considered;
Pressure: the pressure of the fluid is important for the valve;
Ends or joints: according to the joints of the pipeline to choose the appropriate corresponding valve joints;
and delivery: a faster delivery time will make the work more efficient.
Summarize
Whether you choose a ball valve or a gate valve, as long as it suits your working environment and meets your production needs, it is the most suitable valve for you!