Wafer Check Valve

Descripción general del producto

The Spring Loaded Wafer Check Valve is an ultra‑short pattern check valve that uses a spring to assist disc closure. The disc is a single‑plate (one‑piece disc) that rotates around a top or center pin shaft. It opens under forward media pressure and closes rapidly under the combined action of spring force and reverse media pressure.

Compared with spring‑less dual‑plate wafer check valves, the spring‑loaded design ensures reliable sealing even at zero flow or low backpressure, and allows installation in horizontal, vertical, or inclined pipelines without relying on gravity for disc return. This valve features a compact structure, extremely short face‑to‑face length, and light weight. It is widely used in small to medium bore pipelines in oil & gas, chemical, power generation, water treatment, compressed air, and hydraulic systems, with pressure ratings up to Class 600 and beyond.

Product Structure

The Spring Loaded Wafer Check Valve mainly consists of the following parts:

1. Body: Precision cast or forged in stainless steel (CF8/CF8M), carbon steel (WCB), duplex stainless steel, etc. Wafer design with annular grooves or O‑ring grooves on the sealing faces. Face‑to‑face dimensions conform to ASME B16.10 for wafer check valves.

2. Disc: Single‑plate circular disc rotating around a top pin shaft (or eccentric pin shaft). The sealing face can be hardfaced with Stellite or covered with PTFE/PEEK.

3. Spring: Stainless steel (304/316/17‑4PH) coil spring or torsion spring providing initial closing force.

4. Pin Shaft: Stainless steel or Inconel alloy, through‑shaft or single‑side fixed.

5. Seat: Metal seat (hardfaced) machined in the body or inserted soft seat (PTFE, PEEK, FKM).

6. Stop Pin: Limits the maximum disc opening angle (typically 70°–85°) to prevent over‑travel.

No bolts through the body; the valve is clamped between two pipe flanges, sealing achieved by flange gaskets or integral O‑rings.

Function

1. Prevents Backflow: Forward pressure opens the disc; reverse flow or flow stoppage makes the disc close rapidly under spring force and backpressure, stopping backflow.

2. Any‑Angle Installation: Because the spring provides initial closing force, the valve does not rely on gravity for disc return. It can be installed horizontally, vertically (flow in any direction), or inclined.

3. Rapid Closing: The spring delivers instantaneous closing force, effectively reducing water hammer and reverse flow time, especially suitable for pulsating flow or frequent start‑stop conditions.

4. Low‑Pressure Sealing: Even when there is no backpressure in the pipeline, the spring ensures initial sealing between disc and seat, preventing low‑flow backflow.

5. Ultra‑Short Face‑to‑Face Length: Extremely compact (e.g., DN50 length only 40–50 mm), saving installation space and reducing pipeline loads.

6. Low Opening Pressure: Optimized spring stiffness, opening pressure typically 0.01–0.05 MPa, resulting in low energy consumption.

Working Conditions

1. Applicable Media: Water, oil, gas, steam, weak acids/alkalis, chemicals, compressed air, etc.

2. Temperature Range: –29°C to +200°C (soft seated); –29°C to +400°C (metal seated, material dependent).

3. Clase de presión: Class 150, 300, 600, 900 (PN16 – PN160); higher pressures require special design.

4. Diámetro Nominal: DN15 – DN400 (1/2″ – 16″), with DN15 – DN200 most common.

5. Installation Position: Any angle (horizontal, vertical, or inclined).

6. Typical Applications:

   1. Compressed air system branch lines

   2. Chemical pump discharges (space‑limited)

   3. Hydraulic system return lines

   4. Water treatment chemical dosing lines

   5. Steam tracing lines

   6. Fire sprinkler branch lines

   7. Instrument sampling lines

 Summary

The Spring Loaded Wafer Check Valve, with its advantages of spring‑assisted closing, any‑angle installation, ultra‑short face‑to‑face length, and rapid response, is an ideal choice for pipeline systems where space is limited, installation orientation varies, or low‑pressure sealing is required. Compared with spring‑less dual‑plate wafer check valves, it does not rely on gravity for disc return and can work reliably in vertical pipelines. Compared with lift type threaded check valves, it offers a more unobstructed flow path and lower pressure loss. This valve is widely used in branch lines and pump discharges in compressed air, chemical, water treatment, hydraulic, and other industries. For small to medium bore pipelines that demand flexible installation, rapid closing, and low maintenance, the Spring Loaded Wafer Check Valve is a cost‑effective anti‑backflow solution.