What Is a Gateway Valve? Everything You Need to Know

The global market size has grown tremendously through the years, reaching an astounding $73 billion in 2019. That size will surpass $185 billion in 2030.

Valves are available in a wide variety, with gateway valves one of the most commonly used in plumbing applications.

But what exactly is a gateway valve? Where is it used, and how does it work? What types of gateway valves are there?

If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we tell you all you need to know about gateway valves.

What Is a Gateway Valve?

Also known as a gate valve or a sluice valve, a gateway valve refers to a type of valve that opens by lifting a barrier out of the way of the medium. These valves are appropriate for both underground and above-ground installation.

Gateway valves are designed for fully closed or fully open service. You can install one in a pipeline as an isolating valve. You shouldn’t use a gate valve as a control valve or a regulating valve.

You can operate a gate valve by doing a clockwise to open or clockwise to close rotating motion of the valve’s stem. The gate then moves down or up on the stem’s threaded part.

Where Do We Use Gateway Valves?

Generally, we use gateway valves when we need minimum pressure loss as well as a free bore. When a gateway valve is open fully, there’s no obstruction in the path of the fluid, which means extremely low loss of pressure. Because of this design, one can use a pipe-cleaning pig.

As we pointed out earlier, one operates the valve using a threaded stem. Given that you have to turn the valve multiple times to open or close it, that slow operation means there are no water hammer effects.

Gateway valves are ideal for a wide variety of fluids, including potable water, neutral liquids, and wastewater. These valves can also be used in gas pipelines.

What Are Some Common Types of Gateway Valves?

Gateway valves are available in many designs. Each design uses a different technology to meet its application requirements.

Typically, gate valves are classified depending on:

Type of Closing Element

Under this classification are four main types of gateway valves. Let’s delve into each.

Parallel Disk Gate Valve

This type of gate valve has two discs against parallel seats. Between the discs and at the point of closure is a spring.

The most common design is the knife gate valve. This valve features a flat gate between two seats that lie parallel to each other, achieving the needed shut-off.

Parallel disk gate valves are usually applied in low-pressure drop situations.

Solid-Wedge Gate Valve

Solid-wedge gate valves are the most commonly used type of gate valves in the process sector. These valves are also the most affordable of all gate valves. The main reason for having a wedge shape in these valves is for introducing a high supplementary seating load.

You can install a solid-wedge gate valve in almost any position. These types of gate valves are also appropriate for most types of fluids and work well for turbulent flows.

Flexible Wedge Gate Valves

This type of gate valve uses a flexible wedge that’s a single-piece disc cut around its perimeter. The cut can vary widely in shape, size, and depth.

With this type of gate valve, you don’t need to worry about thermal expansion and contraction. That’s because the disc compensates for that and remains easy to open.

Flexible wedge gate valves are typically used in steam systems.

Split Wedge Gate Valves

A split wedge gate valve features two halves, allowing the wedge between their outer faces to fit into the seat. Both faces are self-aligning and self-adjusting.

Gate Valve Types Based on Type of Stem

In this type of classification are two distinct gate valve designs. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Raising Gate Valve

Also referred to as the OS&Y type, this type of gate valve features a stem that rises to open the valve and lowers to close it. Given that the stem threads don’t come into contact with the flow medium, you don’t need to worry about corrosion.

Non-Rising Stem Gate Valve

This type of gate valve is also referred to as the insider screw gate valve. The valve’s stem is typically threaded into the gate.

In the non-rising gate valve, both the stem and the handwheel move together. The stem comes into contact with the medium, unlike in the raising gate valve.

What Are the Advantages of Gateway Valves?

Gate valves are popular for a reason. These valves provide smooth on and shut off features. Additionally, pressure drop is almost non-existent when operating them.

Gate valves are also considerably cheaper compared to many other types of valves of the same quality and design, including ball valves. They also require significantly less maintenance.

What Are the Disadvantages of Gateway Valves?

Gateway valves do have their weaknesses too. For instance, a gate valve can’t throttle or regulate the flow of the medium. The valves are also vibration-prone and noisy when partially open.

Some gate valve designs are also prone to pressure or thermal locking. Moreover, it may perform certain repairs that they require, including grinding and lapping.

Gate Valve Maintenance

Gateway valves need regular maintenance to stay in top shape for a long time. One way to do so is by using lubrication to keep the gate valve from getting stuck.

You also need to beware of rust. When you spot any signs of rust, use a wire brush to scrape it off before painting the valve, if necessary.

Tackle leaks using the right type of sealant. To discover more about which type of sealant to use, you can head online or talk to a qualified plumber.

Get the Right Type of Gateway Plumb for You

As you can see, there are many types of gateway valves. These valves have a variety of applications, so be sure to get the right one for you. Once you’ve invested in a gateway valve, remember to regularly maintain it so you get the most out of it.

Would you like to learn more about gateway valves? Please keep visiting our blog.