Gate valves

To be honest, when you hear 'gate valves', the first thing that comes to mind is boring general purpose fittings. But in practice, the difference between an ordinary model and a specialized solution for agricultural systems turns out to be fundamental. Many people still believe that it is enough to install any valve with a suitable diameter, and then they wonder why there are interruptions in drip irrigation.

Features of operation in agricultural complexes

This is what we had to face at the site in the Krasnodar Territory: standardgate valvesfrom an unknown manufacturer they began to leak after six months of work. Upon opening, it was discovered that the sealing rings could not withstand constant contact with fertilizers. It is a common mistake to not take into account the chemical composition of the working environment.

By the way, about materials. For systems with liquid fertilizers, we now use only EPDM seals, although we initially tried silicone and even Teflon. The latter, by the way, turned out to be too harsh for seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Another nuance is the response speed. In smart greenhousesgate valvesmust execute commands within 2-3 seconds, otherwise an imbalance occurs in the distribution of nutrient solutions. It is necessary to additionally check electric drives, especially in conditions of high humidity.

Integration with automation systems

When Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd. offers its remote control solutions, many customers do not immediately understand that the key element is reliablegate valves. Without them, all automation turns into a useless toy.

I have learned from my own experience that when designing a system, it is better to immediately install valves with pulse control. They are 15-20% more expensive than usual, but they allow you to accurately dose the supply of solutions. This is especially critical for multi-zone irrigation systems.

By the way, on the website https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru there are good examples of integrated solutions where valves are integrated into the overall control system. But I should note that their standard configurations sometimes lack protection against water hammer - it is better to work out this point individually.

Installation and maintenance problems

A memorable case was in the Rostov region, when during installation they mixed up the direction of flow ongate valvesDN80. The manufacturer indicated the arrow on the body, but the installers decided that this was not significant. The result is damage to the shutter the first time the system is started.

Now I always instruct the staff: even if the valve is symmetrical, the direction of flow affects the service life of the seals. This is especially important for systems with reverse flushing of filters.

I have developed a simple rule for maintenance: check the stroke of the rod once a season and, if necessary, lubricate it with graphite lubricant. It seems like a small thing, but it prevents up to 80% of jamming cases.

Compatible with filter systems

In the projects of Shandong Lingyao LLC, there are often combined solutions, wheregate valveswork in tandem with disc filters. There is an important point here: the valve must withstand backwash pressure, which can reach 6-8 bar.

I noticed that some domestic analogs do not have a sufficient safety margin for such modes. You have to either install imported ones or strengthen the connections with additional fasteners.

I saw an interesting solution in one of the projects of this company - they use valves with double seals specifically for areas after fine filters. Although this increases cost, it significantly reduces the risk of leaks when working with slurries.

Promising developments

We are currently experimenting with valves that can operate in a partially open position for precise flow control. Standardgate valvesThey are not very suitable for this - their adjustment range is too narrow.

In the latest project to create an intelligent agricultural park, exactly such solutions were used. It's too early to talk about results, but early data shows water savings of up to 12% compared to traditional schemes.

By the way, I started with simple ball valves, but gradually came to understand that for automated systemsgate valves- This is a more technological solution. Although they require more qualified service.

Economic aspects of choice

Many customers try to save money on valves, not realizing that replacing them in an already installed system costs 3-4 times more than the original price difference. Especially considering the equipment downtime.

The facilities of Shandong Lingyao LLC usually use valves in the mid-price segment - not the cheapest, but not premium either. In my opinion, this is a reasonable compromise for most agricultural applications.

I noticed an interesting pattern: the more complex the automation system, the more reliablegate valvesrequired. Because the cost of downtime of such a system significantly exceeds the savings on fittings.