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Check Valves
Automatic Backflow Prevention Assemblies
Overview & Design
Check valves permit fluid movement in only one direction, closing automatically if the flow slows down or reverses.
Pedagogical Rationale
Reverse flow can spin pumps backward, cause water hammer shockwaves, contaminate clean fluids, and damage upstream piping components.
Standard Industry Applications
1Pump discharge protection loops
2Boiler water feed systems
3Water treatment anti-contamination lines
4Compressor system pressure isolation
Category Valve Types
Swing Check Valve
Pivoting flap hanging from a hinge pin near the port entry.
Working Principle
Forward flow pressure lifts the clapper off the seat. Gravity and reverse pressure swing the clapper back to shut off reverse flow.
Advantages
Automatic self-operation
Minimal pressure drop
Simple mechanical structure
Limitations
Prone to water hammer slamming during sudden reversals
Cannot be installed pointing downward
Hinge pin wear in turbulent lines