Moreover, ball valves seal much tighter — and are therefore much less prone to leaks — than gate valves because of their per cent shut off characteristics. Ball valves offer greater longevity, a lower rate of failure, and are easier to use than gate valves. BME stock a wide range of ball valves , from quarter-inch to six-inch at our works in Bishopbriggs. From general purpose two-piece ball valves, v-ball control valves, hygienic valves, to heavy duty ball valves for steam; we have a variety of sizes, end connections and materials to suit many applications.
We also stock gate valves up to six-inch in size, and can supply many size and material variants, including knife gate valves , on a next-day basis. Download our brochure. About Us Contact Us Blog. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.
This entry was posted on June 13, by Korey. One of the most important components of a functional plumbing system is the valves it contains.
Valves allow for the start and stop of the flow of liquid, and they need to work well to prevent leaks and unwanted flow. While there are a number of valve types on the market, two of the most common are the ball valve and the gate valve. Here's what you need to know about these two valve types. A gate valve gets its name from the internal mechanism that enables the flow of water.
This mechanism looks like a tiny gate that moves up and down on a stem, which is connected to the handle. The handle is a screw handle that moves the gate up and down, opening and closing the valve as needed. They are sometimes found in home plumbing systems, though ball valves are becoming more popular in this area.
They are also commonly found in the oil and gas industry, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, automotive, and marine applications. They can be used in high pressure and high temperature environments, so are often found in manufacturing. Gate valves have one major advantage over ball valves. Because the opening and closing mechanism is slow, they can't cause a water hammer. For this reason, some municipalities require the valve nearest to the water meter to be a gate valve.
However, gate valves have disadvantages as well. The screw mechanism that opens and closes the valve can easily fall victim to corrosion. Once corroded, the valve won't work properly. Gate valves should be used in fully open or fully closed positions, but it is possible on some models for the valve to be stuck partially open or partially closed. This causes vibration of the gate, which can damage the valve. Gate valves can be hard to operate by those with disabilities, and they don't provide a visual clue to the "on" or "off" position.
While the basic function of a gate valve is the same regardless of the type, you will find a number of valve types on the market.
Garden hoses with a spigot are an example of this. Gate valves give uses control over the pressure of the flow, rather than simply turning it off or on.
Gate valves offer users significantly more control over the flow and pressure of the water than ball valves but do not afford users the option of an immediate stop of flow. For those looking to use gate valves but worried about corrosion, stainless steel gate valves are incredibly resilient and no more prone to corrosion than ball valves. They stated that the benefit of a ball valve vs a gate valve is that they seal much tighter, therefore making them better at avoiding leakage than gate valves.
In addition, they are also easier to use than gate valves, offering both lower rates of failure and greater longevity. The durability of ball valves makes them an ideal choice for shutoff applications. They perform consistently well after many cycles, as well as boasting reliability and the ability to close securely even after long periods without use.
For these reasons, they are often preferred over gate and globe valves. For more information about ball or gate valves or any of the other products that they stock, visit the BM Engineering Supplies website. BM Engineering Supplies is an industrial valve supplier with stocks of high-quality process and general purpose valves. Interested in receiving even more industry-leading news from Process Industry Forum delivered directly to your inbox?
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