API 600 Gate Valve

API 600 gate valve is a type of steel gate valve designed and manufactured according to API 600 (Steel Gate Valves—Flanged and Butt-welding Ends, Bolted Bonnets) standard. It is typically a bolted bonnet, outside screw and yoke (OS&Y), rising stem gate valve used in pipelines to start or stop fluid flow (not for throttling).
It is widely used in industries like oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, and water treatment because it ensures tight shutoff and conforms to international pressure/temperature ratings.

Structure of API 600 Gate Valve

Body – Cast or forged steel body with flanged or butt-weld ends.
Bonnet – Bolted bonnet construction for easy maintenance.
Stem – Rising stem design, with OS&Y type for visible stem position.
Wedge (Disc) – Solid, flexible, or split wedge design, providing reliable sealing against the seats.
Seat Rings – Renewable, hard-faced seat rings welded or threaded into the body.
Gland & Packing – Stem packing with gland follower for tight sealing and prevention of leakage.
Handwheel/Actuator – Operated manually (handwheel) or by gear/actuator for larger sizes.

Features of API 600 Gate Valve

Standardized Design: Conforms to API 600, API 6D, ASME B16.34.
OS&Y, Rising Stem: Easy to identify valve position (open/closed).
Bolted Bonnet: Provides reliable sealing and easy disassembly.
Full Bore Flow: Minimal pressure drop and turbulence, suitable for pigging.
Multiple Wedge Options: Solid, flexible, or split wedge for different service conditions.
Seat Design: Hard-faced (Stellite or equivalent) for wear and corrosion resistance.

Size & Pressure Range: Commonly 2" to 48", pressure class 150 to 2500.
End Connections: Flanged (ASME B16.5) or butt-weld (ASME B16.25).

Applications of API 600 Gate Valve

API 600 gate valves are widely used where isolation is required, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure services:
Oil & Gas Industry – Refinery pipelines, crude oil, and natural gas service.
Petrochemical Plants – Chemical processing lines, hydrocarbon transport.
Power Generation – Steam lines, boiler feedwater systems.
Water Treatment & Distribution – Large-diameter water mains.
General Industry – Pulp & paper, marine, mining.