High Pressure Gate Valve Application and Troubleshooting

A high-pressure gate valve is a high-strength valve for use in high-pressure applications. The valve operates using a disc that moves up and down to start and stop fluid flow. The valve operates by use of manual handwheel or actuators. Actuators used in this valve are hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic. The working principle of the actuated and the manual valve is the same. The valve is automated with actuators where high torque is needed to operate. Even when low torque is required to operate the valve, automation is also used to enhance full industrial automation. The valve is only used for shut-off applications. Using the valve for throttling flow causes damage to the valve disc or leads to rapid erosion due to high pressure and high flow rate.

High-pressure gate valve manufacturer produces different types of this valve, such as, wedge gate valves, conduit through valves, electrically operated valves, pneumatically operated valves among others. This valve is used in different applications such as water supply, chemicals, petroleum and petrochemicals, gas, and power plants. Advantages of this valve include bi-direction flow, versatility in application, low-pressure drop, high strength, and reliability.

Applications of high-pressure gate valves 

• These valves are used in thermal power plants to control the flow of steam and water at high temperatures without damaging valve seats.
• They are used in municipal water supply over long distances since they have a low-pressure drop.
• High-pressure gate valves are used in the transport petroleum and petroleum products.
• High-pressure gate valves are used in steel manufacturing plants.
• They are used to feed boiler systems.
• They are used in marine applications.
• They are used in transportation of chemicals and water.

Advantages of high-pressure gate valves 

• High-pressure gate valves have low-pressure drop when they are fully open. This helps to save pumping energy.
• They are bi-directional. This property allows the valve to transport fluid in either direction of the piping system.
• They are of high strength, allowing them to operate under high pressure and temperature.
• These valves are versatile in the application as they are used in many industrial applications.
• They are free from fluid leakage.
• High-pressure gate valves are highly reliable for on and off fluid flow.
• They can be automated or they can be operated manually.

Disadvantages of high-pressure gate valves 

• These valves are not recommended for throttling applications since the disc wears out rapidly or gets damaged.
• The valve produces a lot of noise and vibration when partially open.
• It requires several handwheel turns to open or close, unlike ball valves that require only a quarter turn.
• High-pressure gate valves need a large area for installation.

Troubleshooting high-pressure gate valves 

Fluid leakage through the body flanges 

• Loose bolts. Tighten the bolts and nuts to the torque the high-pressure gate valve manufacturer recommends.
• Worn out gasket. Replace the gasket.

Fluid leakage between the bonnet and the body 

• Worn out gasket. Replace the gasket.
• Loose bolts. Tighten the bolts.

The valve is hard to operate 

• Foreign materials are stuck in the valve. Disassemble the valve and clean off solid particles.
• Damaged stem. Replace the stem.
• Worn out or damaged seats. Replace the seats.
• Misalignment on gland flange. Re-align the gland flange.
• The gland bolt is over-tightened. Loosen gland bolt.

The valve does not open/close completely 

• Foreign objects in the valve. Disassemble the valve and clean off foreign materials.
• Stem threads are worn out or damaged. Replace the stem.

Fluid leakage through the stem 

• Worn out packing. Replace the packing.
• Gland flange loss. Tighten gland flange.