Check valves have a dubious if unwarranted reputation. An underused valve, nevertheless, they perform a valuable function in many piping systems. Available in many sizes, styles, and materials, they operate to restrict the flow on the fluid line. This includes liquids, air, condensate, steam and various gases. A specific design of valves available for applications for vacuum systems is the vacuum check valve.
The Purpose of Vacuum Check Valves
Check valves serve one major purpose. They prevent reverse flow. Simple in construction, these valves are sensitive to the flow and rely on it to open and close the valves. The internal disc vacuum and other check valves possess allow the flow forward. This opens the valve. If the flow decreases or is reversed, the valve begins to close. Specific actions depend upon the design of the check valve.
Vacuum check valves perform this same function in vacuum systems applications. While many check valves “check” the flow of fluids, a vacuum check valve prevents vacuum loss. They are not traditional pressure check valves. In fact, the purpose of good vacuum check valves is to:
- Eliminate leaks
- Prevent vacuum loss
- Optimize the performance of a vacuum system
- Eliminate wasting of the system’s pump power
- Reduce flow restrictions
- Produce better flow
To accomplish this, vacuum check valves tend to possess less stiff springs than pressure check valves. Versatility and the ability to provide increased flow rate, these leak proof valves generally offer low cracking pressure. They may feature a smooth bore and rust resistant material to ensure they can perform the job. They come in different sizes, and a choice of designs permits their usage in different configurations.
The Vacuum Check Valve
The much-maligned check valve performs a specific invaluable function in many flow systems. One variation is the vacuum check valve. Its role is to improve the overall performance of a vacuum system.
