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GangYe Group Co., Ltd.
GangYe Group Co., Ltd.

Globe Valve vs Gate Valve

Jan 10 , 2024

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Globe valves and gate valves are two common industrial valves that play crucial roles in various industrial applications. These valves are essential for controlling the flow of fluids within pipelines, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of numerous processes. In this overview, we will delve into the basic functions and significance of these valves in industrial settings.


Structure and Design between Globe Valve vs Gate Valve


Gate Valve: Gate valves are known for their simplistic design, featuring most internal components located at the top. They operate using either a rising or non-rising stem mechanism. When fully open, the valve's body becomes hollow, allowing for minimal obstruction and resulting in a low pressure drop. This characteristic makes gate valves well-suited for applications where maintaining low-pressure drops is critical. They, such as motorized gate valve, are commonly used for isolating media rather than regulating flow. Gate valves find extensive use in industries such as oil and gas, irrigation, and marine applications.


Globe Valve: In contrast, globe valves have a more complex design, with internal components situated within a cavity. These valves are designed primarily for throttling and positive shut-off. The unique design of globe valves, which changes the direction and rate of flow, results in relatively high-pressure drops during operation. Globe valves, like 6 inch globe valve, excel in applications where precise control of flow is essential, whether for regulating, throttling, or completely shutting off the fluid. However, they are less suitable for applications involving significant pressure changes due to their inherent high-pressure drop characteristics.


Applications and Functionality between Globe Valve vs Gate Valve

Gate Valve: Gate valves are ideal for applications where maintaining low-pressure drops is a priority. They excel at isolating the flow of media within pipelines, making them indispensable in industries such as oil and gas, where the efficient isolation of sections of a pipeline is crucial. Additionally, gate valves are commonly used in irrigation systems to control the flow of water and in the marine industry to manage fluid movement on ships and offshore platforms. While gate valves are not suitable for regulating flow, their straightforward design and minimal pressure drop make them valuable in specific industrial contexts.


Globe Valve: Globe valves are best suited for applications that require precise control over the flow of fluids. Their ability to throttle and provide positive shut-off makes them invaluable in processes where flow regulation is critical, such as in the chemical and petrochemical industries. Globe valves are commonly employed in power plants to regulate the flow of steam and other fluids. However, they are less suitable for applications involving substantial pressure changes, as the design of globe valves inherently leads to higher pressure drops during operation. Therefore, understanding the specific requirements of an industrial process is essential when choosing between globe valves and gate valves to ensure optimal performance and safety.



Working Mechanism between Globe Valve vs Gate Valve


Gate Valve: Gate valves operate by moving a disc or gate perpendicular to the direction of the media flow. This mechanism allows for either full flow or complete shutoff when the valve is in use. When fully open, the gate valve offers minimal obstruction to the flow, resulting in low pressure drop. However, gate valves are susceptible to vibration damage when operated in semi-open positions, which can lead to wear and reduced durability.

Globe Valve: Globe valves, on the other hand, function by moving a disc parallel to the direction of the media flow. This design enables precise throttling and tight shutoff capabilities. While globe valves provide excellent control over the flow, their operation typically results in a higher pressure drop compared to gate valves. This is due to the design that changes the direction and rate of flow as the disc moves. Despite the high-pressure drop, globe valves are valued for their ability to offer greater control over the flow of fluids, particularly the 6 inch globe valve, 10 globe valve, angle type globe valve, and those produced by straight globe valve manufacturers.


Advantages and Limitations between Globe Valve vs Gate Valve

Gate Valve: Gate valves come with several advantages, making them a popular choice in specific applications. They are generally more economical than globe valves due to their simpler design and construction. Gate valves also excel at providing tight shutoff, minimizing the risk of leaks in closed positions. Additionally, gate valves cause little pressure drop when fully open, making them suitable for applications where maintaining low-pressure drops is crucial. However, gate valves have their limitations; they are less durable than globe valves and are more prone to leakage, especially when subjected to vibration or thermal cycling.

Globe Valve: Globe valves offer several advantages that make them suitable for particular industrial requirements. They excel in providing precise control over the flow of fluids, making them ideal for applications where flow regulation is critical. Globe valves are also well-suited for high-pressure applications, thanks to their ability to maintain tight shutoff even under elevated pressures. However, their complex design leads to a higher pressure drop during operation, which can be a limitation in systems where minimizing pressure loss is a priority.


Price Comparison

Gate valves are generally more affordable than globe valves due to their simpler design and construction. The straightforward mechanism of gate valves involves fewer components, making them cost-effective to manufacture and maintain. This cost advantage makes gate valves an attractive choice for applications where precise flow control is not essential, and the primary concern is isolating or fully opening the flow. However, it's essential to consider the specific requirements of your application when selecting between gate valves and globe valves, as the cost savings of gate valves may be outweighed by the need for precise control and lower pressure drop offered by globe valves in certain situations. If you would like to know more about the price, please contact Gangye, a valve manufacturer dedicated to providing you with a variety of industrial valve solutions.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


What are the primary uses of gate and globe valves?


Gate valves are primarily used for isolating or fully opening the flow of fluids in pipelines. They are commonly employed in industries such as oil and gas, irrigation, and marine applications, where maintaining low-pressure drops and efficient isolation of media are essential.


Globe valves, on the other hand, are designed for precise flow control, throttling, and positive shut-off. They find extensive use in applications where regulating the flow of fluids is crucial, such as in chemical and petrochemical processes and power generation.



How do gate valves prevent pressure drops?


Gate valves prevent pressure drops by offering a clear, unobstructed path for the flow of fluids when fully open. The disc in a gate valve moves perpendicular to the direction of media flow, allowing for minimal obstruction. This design minimizes resistance to flow, resulting in lower pressure drops compared to other valve types.



In what scenarios are globe valves more advantageous than gate valves?


Globe valves are more advantageous in scenarios where precise control over flow is required. They excel at throttling and maintaining a specific flow rate. Globe valves are particularly suited for applications in the chemical industry, power plants, and processes where flow regulation, as opposed to full isolation, is paramount. Their ability to provide tight shut-off also makes them suitable for applications where preventing leakage is critical.



Can gate valves be used for throttling?


While gate valves are primarily designed for isolating or fully opening the flow, they can be used for throttling in certain situations. However, gate valves are not ideal for throttling because their operation in partially open positions can lead to vibration, wear, and potential damage to the valve components. In applications that require frequent or precise flow control, globe valves are a better choice due to their designed ability to handle throttling without these issues.



Why do globe valves have a higher pressure drop?

Globe valves have a higher pressure drop because of their design, which involves changing the direction and rate of flow as the disc moves parallel to the media flow. This redirection and constriction of the flow path result in increased resistance and turbulence within the valve, leading to a higher pressure drop compared to gate valves. While globe valves offer excellent control over flow, their higher pressure drop is a trade-off that must be considered when selecting a valve for a particular application, especially when minimizing pressure loss is a priority.