Check Valves: Key Components for Efficient Systems

‌Check valve‌ is an indispensable key component in fluid control systems. Its main function is to prevent the medium from flowing back and ensure the stable operation of the system. The check valve automatically opens or closes by the flow force of the medium itself. When the medium flows forward, the valve disc is pushed open and the fluid passes almost unimpeded; when the medium tries to flow back, the valve disc quickly closes to cut off the backflow path‌.

Contents

Working principle of check valve

Types of check valves

Application scenarios of check valves

Advantages and disadvantages of check valves

Working principle of check valves

The working principle of check valves is based on the principle of fluid dynamics. When the fluid flows in the normal direction, the valve opens; when the pressure change causes reverse flow, the check valve automatically closes to ensure that the flow direction of the fluid remains consistent‌. This automatic switching function enables the check valve to work without external power, which is particularly suitable for emergency situations where power or hydraulic pressure is lost‌.

Types of check valves

Check valves are mainly divided into the following types according to different structural forms:

‌Swing check valve‌: The valve disc is disc-shaped and rotates around the rotating axis of the valve seat channel through a hinge mechanism. It is suitable for large-caliber occasions with low flow rate and infrequent flow changes, but the sealing performance is relatively weak.

‌Lift check valve‌: The valve disc slides along the vertical center line of the valve body. It has a compact structure and good sealing performance, but it can usually only be installed on horizontal pipes.

‌Butterfly check valve‌: The valve disc rotates around the pin shaft in the valve seat. It has a simple structure but relatively poor sealing performance and is usually installed on horizontal pipes.

Application scenarios of check valves

Check valves are widely used in various fluid control systems, including industrial, civil, automotive and other fields. In industry, check valves are used to prevent medium backflow and protect equipment and system safety; in automobiles, check valves ensure the normal operation of engine systems and other fluid transmission paths; in homes, check valves are used to prevent hot water backflow and protect water pipes and water heaters.

Advantages and disadvantages of check valves

Advantages:

‌Safe and reliable‌: Effectively prevent medium backflow and avoid accidents and equipment damage caused by backflow.

‌Energy saving and environmental protection‌: Small fluid resistance and reduced pressure help energy saving.

‌Easy maintenance‌: simple structure, few parts, easy and quick installation, commissioning and maintenance‌.

‌Strong adaptability‌: suitable for different working conditions and media, including water, oil, gas, etc. ‌.

‌Disadvantages‌: ‌Difference in sealing performance‌: The sealing performance of different types of check valves is different, and the sealing performance of swing and butterfly check valves is relatively weak‌. ‌In general, the check valve, with its unique structure and function, plays an important role in ensuring the safety of fluid systems, energy saving and environmental protection, and easy maintenance.