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Must check valves be installed horizontally or vertically?
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A check valve, as a type of valve that automatically opens and closes its disc based on the flow of the medium itself, has the core function of preventing backflow and ensuring the process safety and operational efficiency of the pipeline system. Regarding whether its installation direction must be horizontal or vertical, the answer is not singular, but rather determined by the specific structural design and working principle of the valve.
1. Types with Specific Installation Direction Requirements
This type of valve is represented by the lift check valve. Its internal structure dictates that the valve disc must move vertically up and down along the valve body channel axis. To ensure that the valve disc can reliably fall back to the valve seat under its own weight when there is no medium flow, thereby achieving effective sealing, this type of valve must, in principle, be installed on a horizontal pipeline. If incorrectly installed on a vertical pipeline, the valve disc will not be able to return to its original position under gravity, easily leading to sealing failure and loss of function.
2. Types with Stronger Adaptability to Installation Direction
Most other types of check valves have greater flexibility in installation direction.
Swing Check Valve: Its valve disc resembles a hinged door, opening with the force of the flowing medium and closing by backflow pressure and the self-repeating action of the valve disc. Therefore, it can be installed in both horizontal and vertical pipelines (ensuring the medium flows from bottom to top).
Ball Check Valve: Uses a freely rolling ball as the valve disc. Its opening and closing principle is similar to the swing check valve, offering good adaptability to both horizontal and vertical (medium from bottom to top) installations.
Disc Check Valve (Jacket/Double Disc): Its valve disc is a disc that rotates around an axis. Its compact design allows it to operate normally in both horizontal and vertical installation positions, but the specific flow direction requirements should be referred to the product manual.
The installation direction of a check valve is not a subjective rule, but an objective technical requirement determined by its internal mechanical structure and fluid dynamics principles. Before installation, it is essential to strictly follow the valve's product technical manual, design drawings, or relevant engineering specifications (such as GB, API, ANSI standards) to ensure the valve's functionality and the long-term stable operation of the pipeline system.