What is a crucial disadvantage of using gate valves for flow control?

Using gate valves for flow control has the significant disadvantage of potentially causing excessive wear. Gate valves are designed primarily for on/off service, providing minimal resistance to flow when fully open. However, when used for throttling or flow regulation, they can suffer from increased turbulence, which may result in erosion and accumulation of deposits within the valve. This excessive wear can affect the sealing surfaces and ultimately reduce the valve's lifespan and reliability.

Gate valves also tend to be less effective in applications requiring precise flow regulation, as their design does not allow for fine adjustments. This makes them less than ideal for situations where control over the flow rate is essential, leading to quicker degradation of the valve under improper usage conditions. Therefore, while they perform adequately in simple on/off operations, their limitations in flow control applications can lead to significant maintenance issues over time.