Ball Check Valves for Challenging Wastewater Applications

Albion Valves (UK) Ltd, an increasingly popular UK valves supplier, is advising specifiers sourcing valves for wastewater and storm water applications, to consider Ball Check valves as an alternative to conventional disk sprung valves.

The simple mechanics of the Ball Check valve is proving more effective across a wide range of dirty water applications including; sewage, drainage, storm water and industrial pumping.

The basic purpose of any check valve is to permit flow in one direction, prevent flow in the opposite direction and perform this function automatically and with minimum maintenance. The Ball Check valve's simple design, which comprises of only one moving part means mechanically there is less likely to go wrong.

In water applications, when fluid flows through the valve the ball slides away from the flow and along guide rails leaving the inlet completely clear for the fluid to pass, so there is no chance of clogging and no pockets for sediment to collect in.

Then, when the fluid pressure drops, the ball then slides back into the valve, sealing off the opening completely and preventing any backflow which could result in damage to pumps.

In addition to the ‘non clog' operation, the Ball Check valve operates with much less friction than a conventional disk sprung valve resulting in less wear and ultimately lower maintenance.

The simple design allows the ball to rotate freely, so that with each motion the ball seats on a different portion of its surface. This results in even wear across the ball's whole exterior, preventing excessive deterioration in one specific place and therefore promoting a longer life, without costly maintenance and down time.

In most water installations the ball is only slightly heavier than water or other media that passes through it. The energy needed to move the ball to fully open the valve is very slight compared to that necessary to lift a disk or lever weight in other check valves, which ultimately means there is less chance of pressure drop.

Les Littlewood, Sales Director, Albion Valves UK Ltd said:

"Specifiers will find huge operational benefits using Ball Check valves for these more challenging waste water applications. They offer a dependable and trouble-free service in water and with no external parts can be easily installed underwater.

At Albion our range of Ball Check valves work in pressures of up to 16 bar and in temperatures of up to 80°C. Distributors should talk to our team of specialists to help determine the most appropriate product for the job."

Albion currently stocks over 5000 lines of commercial valves, suitable for applications predominantly within the process, water, building services and HVAC industries, all available from its distributor network.

Tel: +44(0)1226 729 900
Fax: +44(0)1226 288 011
Web: www.albionvalvesuk.com

Published: 6th September 2016