Types of Gate Valve and Parts – A Complete Guide for Engineer

What is Gate Valve?

A gate valve can be defined as a type of valve that uses 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 fully open or fully closed.

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.

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

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.

Gate Valve Parts

Here you can see the main parts of the gate valve. The disk of a gate valve is also known as a wedge. Read the complete guide on valve parts to learn about each of these parts.

Image- Trouvay & Cauvin

Types of Gate Valves

There are three ways to classify the gate valve.

1. Types of Disk
   1. Solid taper wedge
   2. Flexible wedge
   3. Split wedge or Parallel disks Valve
2. Types of Body Bonnet Joint
   1. Screwed Bonnet
   2. Bolted-Bonnet
   3. Welded-Bonnet
   4. Pressure-Seal Bonnet
3. Types of Stem movement
   1. Rising Stem or OS & Y Type (Outside Stem and Screw Type)
   2. Non-rising Stem type

Solid Wedge Gate Valve

A solid wedge is the most common & widely used disk type because of its simplicity and strength. A valve with a solid wedge may be installed in any position, and it is suitable for almost all fluids. It can be used in turbulent flow also.

However, it does not compensate for changes in seat alignment due to pipe loads or thermal expansion. So, this type of disk design is most susceptible to leakage. A solid wedge is subjected to thermal locking if used in high-temperature service.

Thermal locking is a phenomenon in which a wedge is stuck between the seats due to the expansion of the metal. Solid-wedge gate valves are generally used in moderate to lower pressure-temperature applications.

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Flexible Wedge Gate Valve

The flexible wedge is a one-piece solid disk with a cut around the perimeter. These cuts vary in size, shape, and depth. A shallow, narrow cut on the wedge perimeter gives less flexibility but retains strength. A cast-in recess or deeper and wider cut on the wedge perimeter gives more flexibility but compromises the strength.

This design improves seat alignment and offers better leak tightness. It also improved performance in situations where thermal binding possible. Flexible wedges Gate valves are used in steam systems.

Thermal expansion of the steam line sometime causes distortion of valve bodies which may lead to thermal blinding. The flexible gate allows the gate to flex as the valve seat compresses due to the thermal expansion of the steam pipeline and prevents thermal blinding.

The disadvantage of flexible gates is that line fluid tends to collect in the disk. These may result in corrosion and ultimately weaken the disk.

Split wedge or Parallel disks Gate Valve

A split wedge Disk consists of two solid pieces and holds together with the help of a special mechanism. You can see the same in images. In case one-half of the disk is out of alignment, the disk is free to adjust itself to the seating surface. The split disk can be in a wedge shape or a parallel disk type.

Parallel disks are spring-loaded, so they are always in contact with seats and give bi-directional sealing. The split wedge is suitable for handling noncondensing gasses and liquids at normal and high temperatures.

Freedom of movement of the disk prevents thermal binding even though the valve may have been closed when a line is cold. This means when a line gets heated by fluid and expands, it does not create thermal blinding.

Types of gate valve based on body, bonnet connection

1^st is screwed bonnet: This is the simplest design available and it is used for inexpensive valves.

2^nd is bolted-bonnet: This is the most popular design and is used in a large number of gate valves. This requires a gasket to seal the joint between the body and the bonnet.

3^rd is Welded-Bonnet: This is a popular design where disassembly is not required. They are lighter in weight than their bolted-bonnet counterparts.

4^th one is Pressure-Seal Bonnet: This type is used extensively for high-pressure high-temperature applications. The higher the body cavity pressure, the greater the force on the gasket in a pressure-seal valve.

OS & Y Gate Valve or Rising Stem (Outside Stem and Screw Type)

For a rising stem valve, the stem will go up while opening the valve and move down when you close the valve. You can see it in the image. In the inside screw design, the threaded portion of the stem is in contact with the flow medium, and when you open the valve, the handwheel rise with the stem.

Whereas in the case of outside screw design, the only smooth portion is exposed to the flow medium and the stem will rise above the handwheel. This type of valve is also known as OS & Y valve.  OS & Y means outside steam and York.

Non-rising Stem Gate Valve or Insider Screw Valve

There is no upward movement of the stem in a non-rising stem type. The valve disk is threaded internally. The disc travels along the stem like a nut when the stem is rotated. You can see the image. This type of valve exposes stem threads to the flow medium.

Therefore, this design is used where space is limited to allow linear stem movement, and the flow medium does not cause erosion, corrosion, or wear and tear to stem material.  This type of valve is also known as an insider screw valve.

Gate Valve Applications

• Gate valves are used in almost all fluid services such as air, fuel gas, feedwater, steam, lube oil, hydrocarbon, and almost any services.
• Some special gate valve is used in slurry and powder product also, such as knife gate valve.

Advantages of Gate Valve

• Gate valve provides good shutoff
• Pressure drop during operation is very less
• Most of the gate valves can be used as bi-directional
• They are suitable for high pressure and temperature application and require less maintenance

Disadvantages of Gate Valve

• It cannot be used to control the flow.
• A gate valve is slow in operation. Opening and closing take time which is good also as it reduces the chance of hammering.
• When partially open, it creates vibration and noise.
• Repairs, such as lapping and grinding of seats are more difficult due to limited access.

Click here to learn about Other Types of Valve