Forged Steel Gate Valve Application and Troubleshooting

Applications of forged steel gate valves 

Forged steel gate valves are used in different industries for various applications, such as:

• Chemical processing.
• Municipal water supply.
• Steam power plants.
• Crude oil and natural liquid gas transportation.
• Ships for the steam circuit.

Advantages of forged steel gate valves 

• These valves are bi-directional. This feature allows fluid to flow through the valve in both directions without causing malfunctions.
• Forged steel gate valves have low-pressure drops when fully opened.
• These valves are easy to install, clean, and repair. Removing the bonnet (top cover) makes it easy to access the internal parts of the valve for effective cleaning and restoration.
• These valves have a few moving parts, which makes repair and maintenance cheaper.
• They are versatile in use. This is because they can be used in different applications ranging from hot to cold fluids.
• These valves are available in various sizes for high pressure and flow rates.
• They are highly reliable.

Disadvantages of forged steel gate valves 

• They are not reliable for throttling fluid flow.
• These valves occupy ample installation space.
• They are slow in operation.

Troubleshooting forged steel gate valves 

The valve is hard to operate 

• Foreign materials stuck between gland flange and stem. Disassemble the valve according to the forged steel gate valve manufacturer’s guidelines and remove foreign materials.
• Gland bolt over torqued. Loosen the gland bolt.
• Misaligned gland flange. Re-align the gland flange perfectly.

Fluid leakage between the body and the pipe 

• Loose bolts. Tighten the valve-pipe flange bolts.
• Worn out gasket. Replace the gasket.
• Excess fluid pressure. Use a higher-rated valve or reduce pipe pressure to the level the forged steel gate valve manufacturer recommends.

Leakage between body and bonnet 

• Loose bolts. Tighten the bolts.
• Damaged or worn-out gasket. Replace the gasket.

Leakage through the valve stem 

• Damaged or worn-out packing. Replace the packing.
• Damaged stem. Replace the stem.

The valve does not close or open completely 

• Foreign materials stuck in the valve. Open the valve and remove all foreign materials.
• Worn out or damaged valve seats. Replace the seats.