Gate valves are preferred for pipelines carrying sludge, pulp, fibrous fluids, and fluids containing particles, particularly in the paper, wastewater, mining, coal ash, food waste, and chemical suspension industries. The sharp slider, moving perpendicular to the flow direction, easily cuts through solid particles that butterfly and ball valves can obstruct, thus offering superior performance for heterogeneous and abrasive fluids, as opposed to "clean" fluids.

Standard gate valves are generally designed for unidirectional sealing; the flow direction is marked on the body, and the sealing ring is positioned accordingly. If flow must be interrupted in both directions, a bidirectional valve is required. Elastomeric seats (EPDM for general-purpose water/steam condensates, NBR for compatibility with oils and fuels, and NR for high wear resistance) provide a perfect seal up to 120–150 °C and a pressure rating of 16 inches (PN16). Metal seats are preferable for hotter or more corrosive applications, but their sealing is inherently inferior to that of elastomeric seats.

Gate valves were originally designed for operation in the fully open/closed position; prolonged operation in the semi-open position accelerates erosion of the spool and seat, increases vibration, and reduces maintenance intervals. For pipelines requiring continuous flow regulation, V-shaped globe valves, butterfly valves, or linear control valves are preferable; gate valves should only be used in these applications for temporary throttling and at low differential pressures.

Ductile iron GGG40 is an economical and rigid option for the body, given its resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress. In chlorinated or aggressive environments, a body and spool made of AISI 304/316 stainless steel are recommended. Standard Truevalve configurations operate reliably up to PN16 and 150 °C; beyond these limits, metal seats, high-temperature elastomers, or special alloys should be considered. Fluid pH, particle size and solids content, differential pressure, and operating frequency must be taken into account when selecting the valve.

Manual handwheel control is sufficient for small diameters and infrequent operation; for large diameters, high differential pressures, or frequent operation, geared control reduces torque. Pneumatic cylinders (with optional spring-return safety) are preferred for processes requiring fast and reliable closure; electric actuators are a practical solution for installations without a compressed air network. SCADA/DCS integration is easy thanks to limit switches, positioners, and solenoid valves; for optimal actuator selection, it is essential to include a safety margin of at least 25% on the valve torque curve to compensate for load fluctuations due to particle flow.