What factors should be considered when selecting gate valves?

Gate valve selection: multi-dimensional consideration to ensure adaptability

As a key equipment for fluid control, gate valves need to be selected based on multiple factors to ensure stable and efficient operation under specific working conditions.

Firstly, the characteristics of the medium are the basis for selecting gate valves. Different media have different requirements for the material of gate valves. For example, when transporting highly corrosive media such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., it is necessary to use gate valves with strong corrosion resistance, such as fluorine lined gate valves. The inner wall of the valve body is lined with fluoroplastics, which can effectively resist corrosion and extend the service life of the gate valve. If the medium contains solid particles, the sealing surface and flow channel of the gate valve should have wear resistance to prevent leakage caused by wear and ensure the sealing performance of the gate valve.

Secondly, working pressure and temperature are crucial for the selection of gate valves. Under high-pressure conditions, gate valves need to have sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand the pressure of the medium without deformation or rupture. For example, forged steel gate valves are often used in high-pressure pipelines in the petrochemical industry. They are made through forging processes, have a tight structure, and can withstand high pressures. In terms of temperature, high-temperature media can cause the material of gate valves to expand, affecting sealing and operational performance, while low-temperature media may make the material brittle. Therefore, suitable gate valve materials and structures should be selected according to the specific temperature range. For example, high-temperature gate valves use special alloy materials, while low-temperature gate valves undergo low-temperature treatment.

Furthermore, the operating conditions and requirements cannot be ignored. For occasions that require frequent opening and closing, the opening and closing torque of gate valves should be small, and the operation should be easy. Electric or pneumatic gate valves can be selected to achieve automation control and improve work efficiency. If extremely high sealing performance is required for pipelines containing flammable and explosive media such as gas and natural gas, reliable sealing gate valves should be selected, such as parallel double gate valve, which has good sealing effect and can effectively prevent medium leakage.

In addition, factors such as installation space and connection methods for gate valves should also be considered. Reasonable selection of gate valves can ensure their reliable operation in the system, ensuring production safety and stability.