What is a Check Valve? A Beginners Guide
Industrial Check Valve allows liquid and air to flow in only one direction and works to prevent backflow. Check valves are inexpensive, effective in operation, and easy to maintain, for the potential issues that a media backflow can cause, such as contamination and serious issues like upstream media damage to equipment and the system. In this blog, we will explain what a check valve is, its functions, parts, types, working principle, and applications.
Understanding Check Valves
A check valve, also known as a non return valve, retention valve, or one-way valve, allows fluid to flow in a single direction. These valves are integral fluid systems; they have two openings or ports, one termed an inlet, through which fluid enters the valve, and the other called an outlet, through which fluid exits the valve.
It works to avoid backflow in the industrial system. These valves are typically employed in applications where backflow may pollute the fluid entering the system. Check valves are actuated automatically and are rarely manipulated on-site or remotely because most do not have handles or stems.
Types of Check Valves
1. Switch Check Valves
Swing check valves are commonly used on large-diameter piping systems, with a disk that swings open with forward flow and closes against backflow.
2. Lift Check Valves
The Lift Check Valves feature a disc that lifts off its seat to allow flow and settles back to reverse flow. It can be installed in many ways, including horizontally, vertically, and angularly.
3. Ball Check Valves
Ball check valves use a spherical-shaped ball to seal the valve. The ball is moved away from the seat to permit flow and returns to block backflow.
4. Diaphragm Check Valves
When the inlet pressure rises, diaphragm check valves enable fluid to flow by stretching their rubber diaphragm open. When the inlet pressure drops or fluid backflows, the diaphragm closes to seal the passage.
Applications of Check Valves
Industrial Systems of Manufacturing
Various types of industrial systems advantages check valve to control the flow of materials. As like in chemical manufacturing, check valves ensure that hazardous chemicals flow in the correct direction.
HVAC Systems
Check valves are used in HVAC systems to offer unidirectional flow in heating and cooling systems to maintain efficiency.
Water Treatment
Check Valves play an important role in water and wastewater treatment plants. They control the flow of water through the system and work to prevent the backflow of treated water into the source.
Conclusion
Check valves are an important industrial valve for unidirectional flow in fluid systems by preventing backflow. These valves function accurately, responding to pressure variations, unlike electric gate valves. This makes them indispensable in applications requiring continuous flow without active control.
