Robinet à boisseau conique ou robinet-vanne : Lequel utiliser ?

When it comes to managing fluid flow in industrial or commercial settings, valves play a crucial role. And two of the most common types of valves are plug valves and Vannes.

But how do you know which one to use for your specific application?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare plug valves vs gate valves to help you make the right choice. I’ll cover everything from design and operation to performance factors, applications, and maintenance.

How Do Plug Valves and Gate Valves Differ in Design?

The core difference between these two valve types comes down to their internal mechanism and how they regulate fluid flow.

Plug Valve Design

As the name suggests, a plug valve uses a cylindrical or tapered plug with a bored passageway running through the center. By rotating this plug 90 degrees, you can align or offset the passage with the inlet and outlet ports.

When open, the ports connect through the bored plug, allowing fluid to flow. When closed, the plug blocks the ports, stopping flow.

Plug valves come in lubricated or non-lubricated models. Lubricated plug valves work well for high temp liquids like oils. Non-lubricated valves have a sleeve lining for use with lower temperature fluids.

Gate Valve Design

Gate valves operate very differently. Rather than a bored rotating plug, they use a solid gate that slides perpendicular to the flow path.

To open and close the valve, you raise and lower this gate. When open, the gate pulls up out of the flow path, leaving an unrestricted opening for fluid. Closing the valve drops the gate down to block flow.

Most gate valves have rising stems, meaning the stem rises out of the bonnet as you open the valve. This gives a visual status indicator. Non-rising models keep the stem inside, saving space but losing the indicator.

How Does Their Operation and Performance Differ?

Beyond core design, plug valves and gate valves differ in various performance factors and operation.

Operation Comparison

One major difference is the speed of operation. Plug valves only require a 90 degree turn to fully open or close. This makes them faster for applications needing quick on/off control.

Gate valves use multi-turn stems, taking several full turns to raise or lower the gate. This slower action can help prevent water hammer in some systems. But it makes gate valves impractical for quick isolation needs.

Both valve types can use manual handles, gears, or actuators for operation. So automation capabilities are similar.

Performance Factors

Plug and gate valves also differ in various performance areas:

• Pressure handling – Gate valves suit higher pressures, while plug valves excel at lower pressures.
• Plage de température – Maximum temps run hotter for gate valves in most cases.
• Contrôle de flux – Plug valves allow throttling flow. Gate valves best run fully open or closed.
• Fluid types – Plug valves suit liquids, gases, slurries. Gate valves work best with clean fluids.

In fully open positions, gate valves are full port, meaning they offer very little flow restriction or pressure drop. Plug valves tend to have slightly more loss through their bored passages.

What Applications Suit Plug Valves or Gate Valves?

With an understanding of their design and performance differences, we can better match these valves to suitable applications.

Plug Valve Applications

Plug valves work well for:

• On/off applications needing quick isolation
• Throttling flow control
• Lower pressure systems
• Corrosive or abrasive fluids and slurries
• Frequent cycling

They suit water treatment, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing systems meeting these criteria.

Gate Valve Applications

Gate valves are well-suited for:

• Isolation of high pressure lines
• Minimal pressure drop
• High flow capacity
• Infrequent cycling
• Clean fluids like gases and water

Typical gate valve applications include steam lines, hydrocarbon processing, fire suppression systems, and water distribution.

How Do Installation and Maintenance Compare?

Both valve varieties have some unique installation and maintenance considerations.

Installation Factors

Plug valves tend to be more compact than gate valves. So plug valves suit applications where space is limited.

However, you need to account for the lever handle swing radius. Gate valves need more overhead space on rising stem models.

Maintenance Considerations

Plug valves have more internal components exposed to the fluid flow. So they tend to need more frequent inspection and lubrication to prevent sticking and ensure good seals.

Gate valves have fewer wetted parts, and their on/off design limits wear. So they tend to provide good service life with less routine maintenance needed. Neglecting occasional inspection can lead to issues over time, however.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Valve for Your Application

As you can see, plug valves and gate valves have distinctly different designs tailored towards certain installation requirements, system conditions, and operating preferences.

For quick on/off duties under 1,000 psi, plug valves often serve reliably with smooth throttling control. Gate valves handle higher pressures but are slower for isolation tasks. Maintenance tradeoffs exist as well.

By understanding these valve characteristics, along with the needs of your specific system, you can select the better option with confidence. This ensures you get a valve offering the safety, performance, and service life your application demands.

The right valve choice is a critical component of efficient system function. So take time to fully compare plug vs gate valves when exploring options. The effort pays dividends over years of smooth operations.