applications of gate valves and butterfly valves
Gate Valves and Butterfly Valves are often used in applications where the valve will not be operated frequently. Both provide the benefit of an unrestricted full flow when open but do have the ability to “throttle” or reduce flow if required by positioning the gate between the full open and full closed positions. In general, this type of valve is not used in extremely high pressure applications as the gate acts as a diaphragm and can be bent or even burst by high pressure.
Good examples of gate and Butterfly Valves can be found in most locks used to raise and lower the water level in a channel or canal to move boats from a body of water at one elevation to one with a higher or lower elevation. The valves that open and close the ends of the channel are double-sided gate valves. Butterfly valves are located below the lock to supply water from the higher body of water to fill the lock or release water from the lock to the body of water at the lower elevation. These valves are under relatively low pressure but need to provide a significant volume of flow to operate the lock quickly and efficiently.
