Gate Valve VS Butterfly Valve (Full Comparison)

By examining the pros and cons of gate valves and butterfly valves, we aim to provide engineers and piping system designers with guidance on selecting the appropriate valve for their needs. Understanding the differences between these two valve types and their suitable applications is crucial in various industries, including petrochemical, water treatment, and power generation. This knowledge is essential for optimizing system performance, enhancing operational efficiency, and minimizing maintenance costs.

What Is A Gate Valve？

Industrial piping systems commonly use gate valves as cutoff valves, and gate valves are one of the standard linear movement valves. It operates by lifting an internal gate to control the flow of fluid, with the gate's movement being perpendicular to the flow.

It should be reminded that it can not be used as a flow control valve, it can only completely open or close the flow path, so the sealing performance is better. It is not suitable for half-open and closed states. Gate valves in the fully open or fully closed position when the durability of the best, the fluid resistance is also the smallest, so should be avoided for a long time in the middle of the open state.

Composition

The main components of a gate valve include the valve body, valve seat, gate, valve stem, stuffing box, and drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is typically manual, electric, or pneumatic. As technology improves, gate valves are more frequently being fitted with remote control mechanisms in their drive systems.

Categorization

According to the different characteristics of the use of gate valves can be divided into many categories:

According to the type of valve stem is divided into an open stem gate valve and concealed stem gate valve

Gate valves can be categorized by their structure into two types: wedge gate valves (which include single gate and double gate) and parallel gate valves.

The connection can be divided into flange gate valve, welded gate valve, threaded gate valve (internal thread, external thread).

In the choice of gate valve according to the specific needs of the appropriate type, the choice of butterfly valve is the same.

A butterfly valve is a common fluid control valve, quarter turn valve， mainly used in pipeline systems to control the flow of fluid.

The butterfly valve is simple in structure, small in size, and light in weight. Switch quickly, only need to rotate 90 degrees to complete the opening and closing, fluid resistance is small, fully opens when the channel area is large. Good regulating performance can control the flow by changing the angle of the butterfly plate. Good sealing performance under low pressure, more suitable for large caliber pipelines and low pressure occasions that require fast switching.

When installing butterfly valves, it is important to leave enough straight sections of pipe both before and after the valve. This helps ensure stable fluid flow and optimal valve performance. For applications that require precise flow control, it is advisable to use eccentric butterfly valves, as they provide better regulating performance at small openings.

Composition

It consists of the valve body, butterfly plate (valve flap), valve stem and sealing ring and other components. The butterfly plate is disc-shaped, installed in the valve body, and can be rotated around a fixed axis. Rotating the valve stem to drive the butterfly plate rotation, to control the passage of fluid.

Categorization

Classification by connection method

Butterfly valve: simple structure, small size, lightweight, easy to install and dismantle.

Flanged butterfly valves offer good durability, making them suitable for large diameter pipelines. They can also be used as end-of-line valves.

Lug type butterfly valves have a distinctive protruding lug structure on the outer ring of the valve body, allowing for direct connection to the pipe flange.

Welded butterfly valve: suitable for some special working conditions.

Classification by structural form

Centre-Sealed Butterfly Valve

Single Eccentric Seal Butterfly Valve

Double Eccentric Seal Butterfly Valve

Triple Eccentric Butterfly Valve

Classification By Seal Material

Soft Seal Butterfly Valve: The sealing surface is made of non-metallic soft material.

Metal hard seal butterfly valve: sealing surface with metal materials.

Classification By Working Pressure

Vacuum Butterfly Valve，Low Pressure Butterfly Valve， Medium Pressure Butterfly Valve，High Pressure Butterfly Valve，Ultra High Pressure Butterfly Valve

High-temperature and high-pressure working conditions usually require double- or triple-eccentric metal hard seal butterfly valves, while more economical soft seal butterfly valves can be used in normal temperature and pressure environments. For applications requiring precise flow control, butterfly valves with eccentric structures are a better choice.

In the selection process, not only should we consider the current needs, but also anticipate possible future system upgrades. Selecting a butterfly valve that slightly exceeds current requirements may save costs for future expansion. In addition, the limitation of installation space is also an important consideration. Wafer-type butterfly valves are suitable for occasions where space is limited, while flanged butterfly valves are more suitable for places that require frequent maintenance.

Operational Comparison

Butterfly valves stand out in many applications for their quick operation. Its simple 90-degree rotating mechanism allows for on/off operation that usually takes only a few seconds, and even motorized butterfly valves can be fully operated in 10-30 seconds.

In contrast, gate valves take significantly longer to operate. Due to their multi-turn threaded drive mechanism and the long stroke of the gate, gate valves typically take several minutes to go from fully open to fully closed, and large diameter gate valves may even take 10-15 minutes.

However, operating time is not the only criterion for valve selection. In applications where frequent operation is not required or speed of operation is not critical, the long operating time of a gate valve may not be a problem.

Installation Space

Compared to gate valves, butterfly valves require less vertical installation height, less operating space, and more flexibility in piping layout. Gate valves, on the other hand, require a larger vertical space and operating area due to their structural characteristics, especially for large-diameter gate valves.

Cost Comparison

Typically, butterfly valves have the advantage of lower initial and maintenance costs due to their simple construction, low material usage and simple processing. In contrast, gate valves have higher initial and installation costs, but their long-term reliability and durability may provide better overall economic benefits in high-pressure, high-temperature, or applications requiring tight shutoff.

In most routine applications, butterfly valves are more cost-effective; however, in some demanding environments or critical applications, the high reliability and long life of gate valves may be more advantageous. Therefore, the final choice should be based on a combination of specific application scenarios, system requirements and long-term operating costs.

Safeguard

Maintenance of gate valves is usually more complex and time-consuming. Several components, such as the gate, stem and sealing surfaces, require maintenance, which often involves disassembling the entire valve, cleaning and replacing the sealing surfaces, and adjusting the position of the gate. Longer downtime may also require professional maintenance personnel to operate.

In contrast, butterfly valve maintenance is simpler and faster. Its main maintenance points are concentrated in the butterfly plate and sealing ring, most of the cases do not need to completely dismantle the valve. Butterfly valve seal replacement is also more convenient and usually can be completed in a relatively short period.

However, from another point of view, the sealing ring of the butterfly valve may need to be replaced frequently, especially in frequent operation or handling of abrasive media. It will also increase the maintenance cost

Overall, butterfly valves are easier to maintain daily, but gate valves may be more durable in the long term, it is still necessary to consider it comprehensively, Bafaw has many years of operating experience and real product usage data, if you can't decide, we can give you clear advice!

Application Scenario

Gate valves are particularly well suited for applications that require complete shutoff of fluids, commonly found in the petroleum, chemical, and power industries.

Butterfly valves excel in flow regulation and occasions where frequent switching is required. Commonly used in water treatment, HVAC, food processing and other industries.

To sum up is for the need to strictly cut off and infrequent operation of high-pressure systems, the priority choice of gate valve;

For low-pressure systems that require frequent flow regulation and fast switching, butterfly valves may be a better choice.

As technology continues to progress, the performance of both gate valves and butterfly valves is improving, and their applications are expanding. Engineers and system designers should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each valve type based on the specific requirements of their projects.

This will help them select the most suitable valve to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of piping systems. In the future, with advancements in industrial automation and intelligence, we may see even more integration and innovation in the design and functionality of these two types of valves.