Making the Most of Gate Valves

Use the right gate valves for the application

By Marjorie Gilbert

Gate valves are another one of those valves that come in more than one configuration. As might be expected, each configuration is for a specific task. The main gate valve configurations are slide gate valves, rotary gate valves, knife gate valves and wedge gate valves.

In the information about gate valves, the application of the gate valve designs are explored, as well as information about gate valve manufacturers and suppliers of gate valves. This will help your company achieve making the most of gate valves, and finding the best gate valve for your company's application.

1. Use wedge gate valves with potable water, sewage and more.

2. Allow rolling slide gate valves control flow control and shut-off.

3. Use rotary shut off valves for temporary shut-off.

4. Rely on knife gate valves when processing pulp, agriculture, water management and more.

Rely on wedge gate valves that are resilient and effective

Wedge gate valves can be made of ductile iron, carbon steel or stainless steel, and can be coated with epoxy on the interior and exterior. Some of them can be for use in fire protection systems, as well as for drinking water or sewage. Wedge gate valves can have a psi rating of 250, and can be 2 inches to 66 inches in diameter.
Try: American Cast Iron Pipe Company is a wedge gate valve manufacturer, as well as American Energy Services. Both are gate valve suppliers as well.

Use rolling slide gate valves for flow control and shut-off

Rolling slide gates are effective for controlling the flow as well as shutting off the flow completely. These gate valves have channels that are structurally heavy-duty, and are abrasion-resistant. Some of these valves have a bonnet. The blades are easily accessible for cleaning, and the rollers on the rolling slide gate valves can be re-greased.
Try: Two manufacturers of the rolling slide industrial gate valves are PEBCO and ShanRod.

Consider rotary gate valves for temporary shut-off

These gate valves work well in conjunction with air locks, because they allow you to remove the rotary air lock for maintenance. Some of the rotary gate valves come with a hand crank or a manually operated gate. These gate valves can be made of aluminum, stainless steel and carbon steel.
Try: Two manufacturers of the rotary gate valves are Horizon Systems and Plattco.

Research knife gate valves that are versatile and effective

Knife gate valves work well in the a variety of process industries. These gate valves often have hand wheels, a locking device for the fully-on or fully-locked positions and can have a fluid compatibility that is pH of 0-14.
Try: Velan and Automated Valve and Equipment are two of the many manufacturers of knife gate valves. As with many of the manufacturers listed above, these manufacturers make other styles of gate valves as well.

Contact the manufacturer and gate valve supplier for gate valve prices, as the gate valve price will vary. Ask about bulk discounts as well.