Dec 28,2023
Industrial pipe systems are complex and consist of multiple components that regulate the flow of liquid or gas and prevent pipeline leakage. Liquid flow needs to be controlled in industrial pipeline systems to keep pipes free from damage by excessive flow pressure and also help protect other industrial equipment. Check valves are one such component that is essential for industrial pipe systems. Check valves are of many types. In this blog, we will look at the role of wafer check valves and what makes them so valuable.
Wafer Check valves are a pipeline system component that controls fluid flow in a specific direction and eliminates backflow within the plumbing system. Alternate names of clack valves, reflux valves, one-way valves, etc, commonly refer to them. In industrial pipeline systems in the chemical or oil industry, the processing system often needs to be turned off for routine maintenance and various other reasons. System shutdown can result in flow reflux, generating unnecessary fluid pressure and vibration in inlets and pipe bends, damaging the pipe.
Wafer check valves prevent reflux and keep pipes from pressure damage. Wafer check valve design consists of a hinged flat disk that can be opened or closed like a flap, and the flap can close to stop fluid flow. Wafer check valves are not automated and require minimum fluid pressure to function. The wafer check disk opens when the upstream pressure exceeds the downstream pressure and shuts if the downstream pressure exceeds the upward pressure.
What makes the wafer check valve design more effective than other check valve designs is that it saves a lot of space within the constricted space of the pipe. Different check valves have a body that occupies space, preventing the flap or door from opening fully when the flow is fast. The fat and straightforward design of the wafer check valve means that the flap/door has enough room within the pipe to open to its full extent. However, wafer check valves are limited and inadequate for handling compressed or pressurized liquid.
Regarding fluid flow handling, wafer check valves have several features that make them easy to adapt to various plumbing systems. These features include
🚰 Compact Construction: Pipe systems have flanges to strengthen connections, which internally extend as rims within the pipe and limit space. A wafer check valve can easily be installed without occupying additional space, meaning the fluid can flow freely, even if the flow is fast.
🚰 Fast Response in Operation: Due to their lightweight nature, wafer check valves respond quickly whenever there is a slight change in the fluid flow direction, thus preventing backflow pressure buildup.
🚰 Pressure Drop is Low: No matter what type of check valve is installed, fluid always has a pressure drop as it passes through the check valves. What gives the wafer check valve the upper hand over other check valves is that the pressure drop is shallow, which means that the flow rate is maintained throughout the system.
Wafer valves are versatile parts that can be installed in diverse plumbing systems. Their fast-reacting mechanism and simple design make them a common feature in many industrial pipeline systems. A variety of water-handling facilities incorporate wafer valves
🚰 Water purification plants
🚰 Desalinization facilities
🚰 Wastewater treatment plants
🚰 Aquariums
Moreover, wafer valves also play a vital role in chemical industries. Wafer valves are responsible for regulating the production of acids. They are also utilized to control the concentration of acids and alkalis.
Different wafer check valves are made according to various quality standards. Whether you are installing valves for a chemical facility or water handling plant, they will have a distinct construction. Usually, you should know about the pressure rating,
Knowing the drop in pressure of the pipeline system once the system is shut off is an essential metric that must be kept in mind when selecting the wafer valve. The pressure change determines the operation of check valves. How efficient the shutoff or stoppage is depends entirely on the reverse pressure drop.
Wafer valves are available in a range of materials, so if you think all valves are made of metal, that is not the case. There are non-metal and metal options. However, you must be informed sufficiently about the operating conditions in which the valve will function. Operating conditions include a type of liquid or gas, the environmental temperature and maintenance costs, and durability.
Wafer valves come in two connection configurations: horizontal and vertical. The attachment of the valve is done through a flange, a type of joint that requires a flat surface to attach. You need to know the pipeline system's design to opt for the correct connection configuration.
Wafer check valves are super crucial in controlling fluids. They've got these small, handy designs, reacting rapidly and stopping backflow effectively. What's remarkable is they save a bunch of space, don't cause much pressure loss, and you can use them in various ways. They're the go-to solution for stopping fluids from flowing the wrong way.