Typical Applications of Pipeline Gate Valves

As a commonly used fluid control equipment, pipeline gate valves are widely used in various industrial and civilian fields due to their reliable cutoff performance, wide applicable pressure and temperature range, and other characteristics. The following are typical application scenarios.

1). Industrial Production Field

Petrochemical Industry

It is one of the core application scenarios of a gate valve, mainly used for the transportation pipelines of media such as crude oil, refined oil, natural gas, chemical raw materials (such as acid and alkali, organic solvents), etc.

1. In long-distance oil and gas pipelines, large-diameter gate valves (DN300-DN1200) are used for mainline cutoff to ensure rapid cutting off of the medium during maintenance or accidents, ensuring system safety.

2. In refining equipment, high-pressure gate valves (pressure ≥ 10MPa) are suitable for the inlet and outlet pipelines of equipment such as reaction vessels and distillation towers, and can withstand high temperatures (200 to 400 ℃) and corrosive media.

3. For complex media such as sulfur and sand, gate valves made of special materials such as sulfur resistant steel and fluorine lining can avoid leakage caused by corrosion and wear.

Power Industry

Mainly used for steam water and steam pipeline systems in scenarios such as thermal power generation, nuclear power, and new energy generation.

1. In the main steam and feedwater pipelines of thermal power plants, high-pressure and high-temperature gate valves (pressure ≥ 16MPa, temperature ≥ 540 ℃) are used to cut off steam or high-pressure water, ensuring the safe operation of equipment such as boilers and turbines.

2. In the primary and secondary systems of nuclear power plants, nuclear grade gate valves must have radiation resistance, seismic resistance (grade ≥ 9), and zero leakage characteristics to control radioactive media.

3. In the thermal oil pipelines of photovoltaic and solar thermal power stations, temperature resistant gate valves (-40 to 300 ℃) are used to cut off the heat transfer medium and ensure the stability of the heat collection and storage systems.

Metallurgy and Mining

In steel, non-ferrous metal smelting and mining, gate valves are used to transport high-temperature furnace gas, slurry, cooling water and other media.

1. The oxygen pipeline in the steelmaking workshop adopts high-pressure gate valves (pressure ≥ 2.5MPa) to ensure the safety of oxygen transportation.

2. In the transportation pipeline of mine tailings, wear-resistant gate valves (such as ceramic lining and high chromium cast iron material) can withstand the erosion and wear of slurry, extending their service life.

2). Municipal and Public Utilities Sectors

Urban Water Supply and Drainage Systems

It is the main application scenario of civilian gate valves, covering tap water transportation, sewage treatment, rainwater discharge, etc..

1. In the main and branch pipes of tap water, large-diameter soft sealed gate valves (DN100-DN2000) are used to control regional water supply, with good sealing performance to avoid tap water leakage.

2. Corrosion resistant gate valves (such as rubber and plastic lining materials) in the inlet, sedimentation tank, and sludge treatment pipelines of sewage treatment plants can withstand the acidity, alkalinity, and impurities in sewage, preventing blockage and corrosion.

3. In the urban flood control and waterlogging drainage system, the gate valve is used to regulate the flow of rainwater pipe network and quickly open the drainage channel in rainstorm.

Gas and Heat Supply

It's used for the transportation and control of natural gas, artificial gas, and thermal steam.

1. In urban gas pipelines, medium pressure gate valves (0.2-4.0MPa) are installed on pressure regulating stations and branch pipelines to cut off or connect gas, ensuring the safety of residential and industrial gas use.

2. Gate valves are used in the main pipes of central heating systems and branch pipes of residential areas to control the delivery of hot water or steam, regulate the flow and pressure of heating areas.

3). In the field of energy and new energy

Hydrogen Energy and New Energy

With the development of the hydrogen energy industry, the application of gate valves in hydrogen preparation, storage, transportation, and refueling processes is rapidly increasing.

1. In the hydrogen outlet pipeline of the electrolytic cell, a hydrogen embrittlement resistant gate valve (made of 316L mod stainless steel or nickel based alloy) can prevent hydrogen leakage and material embrittlement.

2. In the high-pressure hydrogen storage tank and refueling pipeline of the hydrogen refueling station, the high-pressure gate valve (35MPa/70MPa) is used to control the storage and refueling of hydrogen gas, and must meet an extremely low leakage rate (≤ 0.001%).

3. In LNG receiving stations and transportation pipelines, ultra-low temperature gate valves (-196 ℃) are used to cut off liquefied natural gas and ensure low-temperature sealing performance.

Traditional Energy Extraction

In coal and shale gas mining, gate valves are used for medium control of drilling platforms and gathering pipelines.​

1. In the fracturing fluid pipeline for shale gas extraction, high-pressure gate valves (pressure ≥ 70MPa) can withstand the high pressure of fracturing fluid and sand erosion.

2. Explosion proof gate valves (complying with Ex d Ⅱ CT4 grade) are used in the underground water supply and drainage and gas extraction pipelines of coal mines to prevent the risk of gas explosions.

4).Special working condition scenarios

Deep Sea and Underwater Engineering

In deep-sea oil and gas extraction and subsea pipelines, underwater gate valves need to withstand high pressure (25,000 psi, about 172 MPa), low temperature, and seawater corrosion. They adopt fully welded structures and special sealing technologies to ensure long-term reliable operation at a depth of one kilometer.

Medicine and Food Processing

In the production of pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, sanitary grade gate valves (with surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.8 μ m, made of 316L material) are used to transport medicinal liquids, purified water, and food raw materials, avoiding medium contamination, and are easy to clean and disinfect, in compliance with GMP standards.

The application scenarios of pipeline gate valves cover a wide range of fields, from industrial production to civilian services, from traditional energy to new energy. Its core function is to achieve reliable cutoff and control of fluids. The significant differences in material, pressure, temperature, and sealing performance requirements for gate valves in different scenarios have driven the development of gate valve products toward customization and high-end (such as extreme working condition resistance and intelligence).