Views: 79 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-12-28 Origin: Site
Valves are an important component of any kind of piping system. They help start, stop, and regulate the flow of materials and prevent leaks and unwanted flow. Valves are vital to the operations of many machinery and equipment across various industries and applications. It is hard to imagine a set-up where valves are not involved. However, not all valves are the same.
While there are many different types of valves available in the market like 220v solenoid valve and globe valve, ball valves and gate valves are two of the most common types of valves used in almost all industries. Though both of these valves perform more or less the same function, there are structural differences between the two that make them suitable for different applications. It can be confusing to choose which one is suitable for your needs. That is where this guide can help you. Read on to find out how gate and ball valves work, what makes them different from each other, and how you can choose which one is best for your application.
Common applications
Both ball valves and gate valves are commonly used in residential and industrial applications.
gate valves are generally found in older plumbing systems and in applications where frequent shut off is not required. Large water supply lines use gate valves due to their straight flow path and less flow restrictions. ball valve are increasingly used in new plumbing systems with frequent shut off requirements.
Gate valves are used for application with slurries and viscous media because they are easier to clean and maintain. Ball valves are not desirable because they are difficult to clean, and the slurry particles may damage the rotary ball.
Gate valves are used in power plants, mining and water treatment applications which are high temperature and high-pressure environments.
ball valve are commonly used in fire protection systems and marine applications. They are best not used in food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications as ball valves are difficult to clean and may cause contamination.
Which is better gate valve or ball valve?
It depends on the application. A ball valve is better suited for smaller flow rates, anything requiring more than 2 ports, or for durability/sealing concerns. A gate valve is typically cheaper, better for higher flow rates, and requires a smaller installation space.
What is the difference between gate valve and ball valve?
The main difference is in the operation. A gate valve moves a solid disk up and down to open/close the orifice. A ball valve rotates a ball (the orifice) with a bore in it 90 degrees to open/close the valve.
What is a gate valves used for?
A gate valves is used to control the flow and is typically used as a shut off valve.
When would you use a gate valve?
A gate valve is ideal for applications that have slurries, large flow rates, cost sensitive, and for shut off purposes.