The Tilting Disc Check Valve is an excellent choice for raw water, cooling water and treated water/wastewater applications. Tilting disc check valves are designed for drinking water and other neutral liquids, and are typically installed in pumping applications to prevent backflow in the system. The tilting disc requires only very low pressure to open. Tilting disc check valves are installed in pumping applications to prevent backflow in the system. This valve offers significant energy and cost savings over the life of the valve due to its large flow area and low head loss characteristics.
1. Design and Mechanism
Tilting Disc Check Valve:
The disc is mounted on a pivot point, allowing it to tilt slightly as it opens or closes. This design requires minimal pressure to open and enables rapid closure to prevent backflow.
Often includes a spring or counterweight to assist in closing, reducing the risk of water hammer (non-slam design).
Common in high-pressure systems and applications requiring low-pressure drop.
Swing Check Valve:
Features a disc that swings freely on a hinge (like a door), opening fully with forward flow and closing under gravity or backflow pressure.
No spring mechanism; closure speed depends on flow reversal dynamics, which can lead to slower closing and potential water hammer in pulsating systems.
2. Performance Characteristics
Tilting Disc
Flow Resistance: Lower pressure drop due to streamlined tilt motion
Closure Speed: Fast closure, ideal for preventing water hammer
Pressure Requirements: Operates efficiently at low pressures
Installation: Can be installed horizontally or vertically
Swing Check
Flow Resistance: Higher resistance due to full disc swing
Closure Speed: Slower closure, prone to slamming in pulsating flows
Pressure Requirements: Requires sufficient backflow pressure to close
Installation: Typically horizontal installation
3. Applications
Tilting Disc Check Valves:
Oil & Gas/Petrochemical: Used in pipelines and pumps to handle high-pressure fluids and prevent backflow in critical systems.
Water Treatment: Ideal for low-pressure systems (e.g., drinking water) where rapid closure is essential.
Power Generation: Deployed in steam systems to avoid water hammer and protect turbines.
Swing Check Valves:
General Industrial Use: Common in water supply, HVAC, and wastewater systems due to simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Large-Diameter Pipelines: Suitable for steady-flow applications where slow closure is acceptable.
Core Design Features
1. Tilting Disc Mechanism:
The disc is mounted on a pivot point (hinge) located slightly off-center, allowing the disc to tilt at a partial angle (typically 15–30°) during opening.
Unlike a swing check valve, the disc does not swing fully open but tilts slightly, reducing turbulence and pressure drop.
2. Spring-Assisted Closure:
Many tilting disc valves include a spring or counterweight to ensure rapid closure even at low backflow pressures.
This minimizes the risk of water hammer (non-slam design) by preventing abrupt slamming of the disc.
3. Streamlined Flow Path:
The disc tilts into the flow, creating a streamlined path that minimizes flow resistance and turbulence.
Ideal for high-velocity or pulsating flow systems.
Key Components
Disc: Circular or conical plate that tilts to allow forward flow and closes against reverse flow.
Pivot Arm/Hinge: Off-center hinge point enabling controlled tilting motion.
Spring: Assists in rapid closure and reduces reliance on gravity/backflow pressure.
Seat: Precision-machined sealing surface to ensure leak-tight closure.
Valve Body: Typically made of cast iron, stainless steel, or alloy for durability.
