CHECK/NON-RETURN Valves

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
CHECK/NON-RETURN VALVES.
Check Valves.
Check valves allow flow in one direction only, and do not allow the fluid to flow
back into the line. They are operated by the pressure and velocity of the flow
in the line. Because they are not controlled externally they often depend upon
gravity to close. Sometimes they are spring-loaded to make sure they are fully
closed. They are commonly used for liquids. There are four common types,
they are swing, ball, piston and lift check valves. (see figures 15, 16, 17, &
18).

Figure 15. The Swing Check Valve

Figure 16. The Ball Check Valve

Figure 17. A Lift Check Valve

Figure 18. A Lift Check Valve

Gauge Cock Valve.
Illustrated in figure 19 below is a gauge cock valve. This is a special type of
valve. It is used between a vessel and a vessel gauge glass.

Figure 19 Gauge Cock Valve

Its function is to isolate the gauge glass automatically if the gauge glass
begins to leak or break.
The gauge cock valve has a small metallic ball inside. If the gauge glass

breaks, the fluid inside the vessel will flow out through the valve and out of the
gauge glass. The fluid movement pushes the metal ball into the outlet hole of
the valve. This closes the valve and so stops the leak.
A gauge cock valve must always be in the fully open position when it is in
service or it cannot protect the system. If it is only part open the valve stem
will stop the ball from sealing off the outlet hole.
If the gauge glass must be isolated for cleaning etc. the gauge valve can be
manually operated.