Which type of valve is often utilized in place of a gate valve?

A butterfly valve is commonly utilized in place of a gate valve due to its ability to provide quick shut-off capabilities and minimal pressure drop when fully open. Butterfly valves have a simpler design, containing a rotating disk that controls flow, which allows for quicker operation compared to the linear motion of a gate valve. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in applications where fast response is necessary or where flow needs to be regulated tightly. They are also lighter and generally less expensive than gate valves, making them a preferred choice in many industrial applications.

In contrast, while globe valves and ball valves can also serve similar functions in terms of flow control, they do not typically replace gate valves in the same way a butterfly valve does due to their different operational characteristics. Check valves are primarily used to prevent backflow and are not designed to regulate flow in the same way as gate or butterfly valves.