Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
(OP)
I have a storm drainage system that has a flow splitter to some treatment devices. Gate valves are shown on each side of the flow splitter for either spill control or maintenance purposes, i.e. flow to treatment devices can be shut off while performing maintenance. I normally show gate valves for this purpose. I had a peer tell me to use a plug valve instead, as it is better at creating a good seal when flow streams in drainage systems have some grit and such. However, I am concerned about the reduced port area that would restrict gravity flow, and I have heard plug valves are very hard to operate and if they are not maintained can be impossible to budge later on. Comments?





RE: Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
Gate valves are NOT designed to be used as throttling or flow control vales . They are intended to be shutoff valves to remain fully open or fully closed.
Other types to consider are :
Plug Valve
Slide Gates
Swing Gates
"Duck bill: Tide or backwater valves
Tainter Gates
Several valve makers offer Free Advice including
Globe
Golden
Crane
Many, many others
Several standards and professional groups such as AWWA, WPCF,
ASCE
The Ten State Standards
and your local agencies having jurisdiction will also offer advice, even if not asked.
Apologies for the acronyms.
Prepare for a long Google Session and good luck.
RE: Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
RE: Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
Resilient seat gate also know as wedge valves will have less of a problem since there is no groove but if there is debris in the gate area that cannot be crushed or flowed out, the valve will still leak.
Plug valves are better at sealing against this problem because they slide the debris away (or attempt to) but if the debris is tightly adhering to the sealing surface it make the valve very hard to operate.
RE: Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
I suspect that a gate or wier is better device
RE: Is PLUG VALVE better than GATE VALVE on storm drainage piping?
So far biggest advantage I'm hearing for plug valves is the ability to still provide a good seal in a system where solids may drop out of the flow stream, and biggest disadvantage is the potential for them to be difficult to impossible to operate if not well maintained / lubricated.