Gate valve is a mechanical control element used to fully open or fully close the flow of liquid and gas. Also known as a “gate valve”, this type of valve has a vertically moving slide inside. This slide allows the fluid to pass freely when the valve is fully open, while it seals the line tightly when fully closed, cutting off the flow. Gate valves are generally suitable for systems that will operate fully open or fully closed; therefore they are not preferred in applications where flow control is required. These valves, which stand out with their low flow resistance and high sealing properties, offer great advantages in terms of energy efficiency and long-lasting use.
Gate valves have a wide range of applications. They are preferred in many systems from infrastructure projects to power plants, from petrochemical plants to drinking water networks. In water and waste water systems, they are used to control the direction of flow, while in oil and natural gas lines, they provide safe flow control in high pressure and hot environments. They are also frequently used in areas such as fire installations, shipbuilding and chemical industry thanks to their durable structures. The correct selection of gate valves is critical for the safety and efficiency of the system.
What is Gate Valve?
Gate valve is a type of valve used to completely open or completely close the flow of liquid or gas in a pipeline. This system, which is often called “gate valve” in Turkish, has a slider mechanism that moves vertically inside. This slide can be moved up or down with the help of a flywheel or an automatic actuator, allowing the passage of fluid or blocking the flow completely. Gate valves are particularly ideal for applications where the flow must be stopped or released completely rather than gradually. Because their internal structure is straight-through, they offer minimum flow resistance in the open position, which minimizes pressure loss in the system.
Generally manufactured from durable materials such as cast iron, steel, bronze or stainless steel, gate valves are available in various sizes and designs to suit different applications. These valves, which can be integrated with both manual and automatic control systems, provide smooth and safe flow control in systems where water, gas, steam and chemicals pass through. Gate valves’ simple operating principle, low maintenance and long service life make them an indispensable component of industrial plants and infrastructure systems.
How Does Gate Valve Work?
The gate valve controls the flow by means of the slide mechanism inside. When the flywheel (handwheel) on the valve is turned, this movement moves the gate up or down through the screw mechanism. When the gate goes all the way up, there is a straight passage through the pipeline and the fluid passes through almost without resistance. When the gate goes down, it completely closes the inside of the pipe and the flow is completely cut off. This mode of operation makes gate valves ideal for “fully open” or “fully closed” positions only. When used in the half-open position, turbulence can occur at the edges of the gate and this can cause wear inside the valve.
The operating efficiency of gate valves offers the advantage of high sealing and low pressure loss thanks to the slide running perpendicular to the flow direction. In this way, it gives effective results in large diameter pipelines and high flow systems. At the same time, energy loss is minimized as the fluid moves in a straight line when the valve is fully open. Gate valves can be manually operated with a handwheel or automated with electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, making them controllable in large and complex systems.
What are Gate Valve Types?
Gate valves are divided into different types according to the area of use, installation method and internal structure. These types are selected depending on criteria such as the properties of the fluid, the working pressure of the system and the width of the installation area. One of the most common types of gate valves is wedge gate valves. In this model, the gate is wedge-shaped and fits tightly to the seal surface during closing, providing high sealing. Wedge type gate valves, which are especially preferred in systems with high pressure and temperature difference, are very advantageous in terms of reliability.
Another type is parallel gate valve models. In these valves, the slide has a flat surface and is closed by spring-assisted mechanisms on the gasket surface. Since it requires less torque, it is frequently used in low pressure systems. In rising stem type gate valves, the valve stem rises up as you turn the flywheel, so that the open or closed status of the valve can be easily observed from the outside. This feature provides great convenience, especially in areas where the installation is dense. In non-rising stem type valves, the stem remains stationary and only the gate moves. These types of valves are preferred where installation space is limited. Each type of gate valve offers different advantages according to the intended use and system requirements.
Where is Gate Valve Used?
Gate valves are widely used in many different sectors thanks to their high durability, low flow resistance and complete sealing properties. One of the most frequently used areas is city drinking water and wastewater infrastructure systems. In these systems, gate valves play a major role to divert water to different zones or to interrupt the flow during maintenance. Water utilities prefer these valves due to their long life and low maintenance. Likewise, in fire extinguishing systems, they increase safety by enabling the line to be opened and closed quickly during emergency interventions.
In industrial use areas, gate valves stand out with their structures that can withstand high temperature and pressure in petroleum, natural gas and chemical plants. Since reliable sealing and flow control are critical in these sectors, gate valves offer ideal solutions. Also in power plants, especially in steam lines, high temperature resistance and low pressure loss features make gate valves indispensable. From shipbuilding to mining facilities, from industrial process lines to agricultural irrigation systems, gate valves are an important flow control element that ensures safe and efficient operation of systems of all sizes.
What Should Be Considered When Using Gate Valves?
Some technical and environmental factors to be considered during the selection and use of gate valves are of great importance for efficient and long-lasting operation of the system. Firstly, the pressure and temperature values of the line where the valve will be used must be analyzed correctly. If the body and internal components of the gate valve are not suitable for these values, deformation, leakage or mechanical failures may occur over time. For this reason, it is of great importance to select the material suitable for the operating conditions (for example stainless steel, cast iron or bronze). The chemical nature of the fluid should also be taken into consideration; for acidic, abrasive or corrosive fluids, models with a special coating or gasket structure should be preferred.
The physical conditions of the installation area also play a decisive role on the gate valve type. For example, non-rising stem type valves are preferred where space is limited, while rising stem type valves are more advantageous where visual control is required. In addition, gate valves should only be used in fully open or fully closed positions; they should not be used in systems that require gradual control such as flow adjustment. Positioning the valve so that it can be regularly maintained, easily dismantled and serviced when necessary also reduces operating costs in the long term. Correct technical analysis and proper valve selection will ensure system safety and maximize valve life.
Differences Between Gate Valve and Globe Valve
Gate valves and globe valves, although similar in appearance, serve functionally different purposes. The gate valve is mainly designed for the opening and closing function. It allows the fluid to pass through completely or to be cut off completely. Since the flow line continues straight in these valves, there is minimum resistance in the open position and the pressure loss is very low. However, gate valves are not suitable for gradually controlling the flow; turbulence can occur in the half-open position, resulting in wear of the internal components of the valve. For this reason, it should be preferred only in systems that will operate “fully open” or “fully closed”.
The Globe valve is designed to precisely regulate the flow rate. Its internal structure resists the flow by changing the direction of the fluid, resulting in greater pressure loss. However, thanks to this resistance, the flow rate can be controlled gradually. This makes the globe valve ideal for systems that require precise adjustment, such as heating systems, laboratory lines and process control applications. In summary, while gate valves are preferred in open-close systems, globe valves are more suitable for lines that require flow control. This fundamental difference must be taken into account when designing the system.
Conscious Choice is Important When Buying Gate Valve
In order for a system to operate safely, efficiently and long-lasting, all equipment used must be selected correctly; at this point, the selection of basic flow control elements such as gate valves is of great importance. Making a price-oriented decision when buying a gate valve can lead to greater costs and system failures in the future. For this reason, criteria such as the area of use, type of fluid, system pressure and temperature, physical conditions of the installation area should be evaluated in detail. In addition, the material structure, sealing technology and sealing capacity of the selected valve should also be carefully analyzed.
An informed choice is not only about selecting a product that meets the technical requirements of the system, but also about working with trusted brands, certified manufacturers and companies that provide after-sales support. The right gate valve increases energy efficiency, reduces the need for maintenance and keeps system safety at a high level. This conscious investment in the long term provides both cost advantages and adds value to the business by keeping system performance consistently high.
