Valves are necessary in any utility systems for controlling, regulating, and directing the flow of fluids. One important type of valve is the gate valve, also known as the sluice valve.
A sluice valve uses a gate or a wedge-shaped disc to control and regulate the flow. This gate runs perpendicular to the flow of fluids into or out of the pipeline. The valve opens by lifting the gate out of the path of the fluids and enabling it to flow.
How does a sluice valve work?
Lifting the gate or the wedge is controlled by a threaded stem (a connecting rod or a shaft). The top end of the stem has a hand-operated wheel or a motor that raises or lowers the gate, while the lower end has a circular or wedge gate to obstruct the flow. The threaded stem prevents water hammering effects, as it needs to be turned several times to go from open position to closed position.
There are two types of spindles (wheels at the top of the stem used to turn the valve on and off) used for raising the gate in a sluice valve.
- A raising spindle: The spindle is attached to the gate, but the gate does not rotate with the handwheel.
- A non-raising spindle: The spindle is threaded, and the gate is also threaded where it is attached to the spindle. During operation, the valve stem does not raise but rotates in place while raising the gate.
The valve is contained within a valve chamber and has caps or handwheels to operate it and can be opened clockwise or anticlockwise.
The size of the sluice valve is usually the same size as the main valve—up to 300-mm diameter. There are available in bigger diameters where the size of the sluice is two-third the size of the main, but subject to a minimum of 300 mm.
When should sluice valves be used?
The simple mechanics of the sluice valve make it one of the most used valves across many industries. It is mainly used for industrial applications. You will commonly find them on process plants where they are used to manage slurries.
When in operation, these valves are either fully opened or fully closed. They are commonly used to cut off the flow of liquids and cannot be used for throttling as accuracy cannot be achieved through these valves. Besides, the high flow velocity in a partially opened valve can damage the gate, cause disk and seat surface erosion, and result in vibration and noise.
Sluice valves are often used for large pipe diameters because they are easy to use and have a simple construction than other larger valves.
What sluice valve products does Hynds have?
We stock several sluice valve products for various applications, such as potable networks, water storage, pump stations and process water systems.
Hawle E2 Gate Valves with EN1092 or Table E Flanges
The E2 resilient seated double flanged gate valve is drilled to EN1092 PN16 or AS2129 Table E.
The Hawle E2 Flanged Sluice Valves have flanges available in Table D, Table E, and PN16 from DN50–600
Hawle E3 Resilient Seated Gate Valve
The Hawle E3 resilient seated gate valve has been developed from the successful E2 gate valve with a few refinements to enhance performance.
Hawle E2 Flanged System 2000 Sluice Valve
The Hawle E2 Flanged System 2000 is a resilient seated valve with flange and socket for PE (PE 80/100) total restraint.
These service valves have multiple connection types to suit various applications.
Hawle A Valve with Flanged Ends
This is the world’s first mono-design resilient seated shut-off valve.
A flanged tee piece comprising three flanged outlets and two or three integral E2 Elypso valves.
If you need any sluice valve products or have any questions, please contact us.
