1. Differences in structural characteristics
Opening and closing mode:
Ball valve by rotating the ball (90 ° can be completed opening and closing) to achieve rapid cut off or conduction of fluid, easy to operate and fast response speed;
Gate valve need to lift the gate, the need for multi-turn rotary drive device, slow opening and closing speed and complex operation.
Fluid resistance:
Ball valve flow path is straight through type, resistance is very small, suitable for high viscosity or particulate media;
Gate valve flow path is narrower, resistance, easy due to impurity accumulation leading to sealing surface wear.
2. Performance Advantages Comparison
Sealing:
Ball valves use the ball and elastic/metal sealing ring with better sealing performance (especially in small-diameter scenes);
Gate valve relies on the gate and seat compression sealing, high pressure is easy due to media impact resulting in sealing surface wear.
Lifetime and Maintenance:
Ball valve structure is simple, wear and tear, low maintenance costs;
Gate valve is easy to cause friction between the gate and the valve seat due to frequent opening and closing, and the seals need to be replaced periodically.
3. Selection of Applicable Scenarios
Recommended scenarios for ball valves:
Need to frequently open and close or quickly cut off the fluid system (such as chemical industry, petroleum pipeline);
Medium containing particles, high viscosity or the need for low resistance to transport conditions (such as mud, oil);
Small and medium diameter pipeline, the sealing requirements of the occasion (such as gas, water treatment).
Reserved scenarios for gate valves:
Large diameter full through diameter pipeline (such as municipal water supply and drainage trunk pipe);
Scenarios that need to be kept fully open/closed for a long time and are not frequently operated (e.g., HVAC systems).
4. Costs and trends
Economy: ball valve manufacturing costs gradually reduced, and due to low maintenance frequency, long-term use of more cost-effective;
Industry trends: ball valves with lightweight, high pressure resistance (such as alloy steel material) and other advantages, and gradually replace the traditional gate valve, especially in the petrochemical, energy sector.
