The check valve or one-way valve is a small yet vital component in any oil handling system in Texas. Choosing the right size of oil check valves for the given application is essential to ensure the valve functions correctly.
The basic role of the check valve is to allow the flow of the oil through the valve body in only one direction. The oil enters the valve on the inlet port side, passing through the valve without impediment and out the outlet port. As an inline valve, these valves are small and compact in size and operate automatically, without the need for any type of external control.
Pressure and flow control the operation of oil check valves. For this reason, it is essential to size the check valve for the current specifications of the system. While some valves can be oversized to accommodate for increased production, this can actually negatively impact the performance of a check valve, allowing for some level of backflow through the system.
Flow Volumes
All oil check valves are configured for specific flow amounts through the system. The flow from the inlet to the outlet pushes the valve’s internal disc fully open, allowing for maximum flow through the valve. As the flow drops on the inlet side, the disc moves into the closed position.
Choosing oil check valves that are oversized for the system can limit the full opening of the disc in the valve during lower flow volumes or flow volumes that cycle from lower to higher within the desired range. This results in a chattering or vibration in the valve that increases wear and leads to the early need for valve replacement.
Several factors, in addition to flow volume, are required to choose the best check valve for the specific application. In Texas, temperature variations, viscosity issues, and pressure are also factors to consider when making a valve choice.