Gate valves are often considered better for throttling applications compared to ball valves due to their design and functionality. The key difference between the two lies in how they control the flow of fluid within a pipe, particularly when partial flow regulation is required. Gate valves consist of a wedge-shaped metal gate that moves up and down within the valve body to control the flow. When fully open, the gate is completely removed from the flow path, offering minimal resistance and low friction. This makes gate valves particularly suitable for applications where the flow is either fully open or completely shut off, such as in isolation processes. However, when it comes to throttling controlling and adjusting the flow to a specific level gate valves perform better due to their design. The primary advantage of gate valves for throttling is that their gate moves in a linear motion, providing more precise control over the flow rate. This allows for gradual adjustments, enabling operators to fine-tune the flow with greater accuracy than ball valves.

The relatively large flow passage in a gate valve also ensures that fluid velocity remains low and stable during throttling, minimizing the risk of cavitation or turbulence, which can occur at higher velocities in other types of valves. Ball valves, on the other hand, feature a rotating spherical disc with a hole or bore in the middle, which aligns with the pipe when the valve is fully open. When the valve is partially closed, the ball blocks the flow path, making it difficult to achieve precise flow control. The bore size in ball valves is often fixed, so throttling with ball valves can result in uneven flow rates and the potential for valve damage or wear over time if the valve is used frequently for throttling. Moreover, the high velocity and turbulence created when throttling with a ball valve can lead to excessive wear on the valve seat and the ball itself, reducing the overall lifespan of the valve.

In contrast, ball valve vs gate valve is designed to handle throttling more effectively due to their ability to create smoother, more controlled flow restrictions. The design of the gate valve helps prevent the erosion and damage often seen with ball valves when they are throttled, particularly in high-pressure or high-flow applications. The gate, being a flat surface, ensures that it does not suffer from the same wear-and-tear issues as the spherical ball in ball valves. While gate valves may perform better in throttling applications, they are not without their own limitations. They are slower to operate compared to ball valves and may require more effort to adjust the position of the gate. Additionally, gate valves are more prone to issues like seat leakage, especially in throttling positions, as the gate may not form a perfect seal at intermediate positions. In conclusion, while both gate and ball valves have their own strengths and weaknesses, gate valves are generally better suited for throttling due to their ability to provide precise control over flow rates.