BULLETIN 769

AUGUST 2012

APCO CHECK VALVE GUIDE

Rubber Flapper Swing

Check Valve
Series 100

Silent Check Valves

Series 600 Globe Style
Series 300 Wafer Style

Slanting Disc Check Valve

Series 800

Automatic Control Check Valve

Series 8000

Double Door Check Valve

Series 9000

Cushioned Swing Check Valves

Series 6000
Series 6000B
Series 6100

Which Check Valve Should I Use?

Check valves are available in numerous types, styles and shapes. Generally a valve manufacturer builds only
one type of check valve. DeZURIK/APCO builds seven types and twenty styles. Therefore, we offer the
consulting engineer open, objective and unbiased information about a broad range of check valves and their
proper selection and application. The purpose of this brochure is to collect and condense the many desirable
features of the most common type checks into a single source. With a single source of information, we hope
not only to simplify the design engineers check valve selection, but more importantly, help make the selection
accurate and compatible with the application intended.
Following are the basic types of check valves commonly used in the industry. Of these basic types, three
types are available in several forms:

1. Swing Check Valve

2. Silent Check

3. Foot Check

A.

B.

C.

A.

B.

C.

A.

B.

C.

Single Disc
(Conventional Type)
Dual Disc
(Split Discs)
Single Disc
(Angle Seating)

Poppet
(Center Guided)
Disc
(Self Guiding)
Ball
(Self Guiding)

4. Slant Disc Check

5. Flap Check

A. Single Disc
(Pivot Off-Center)

A. Single Flap

Swing
(Multi Disc)
Lift
(Single Poppet)
Single Ball

6. Control Disc Check

A. Single Disc

(Pivot Off-Center)

Although check valves look different, they each perform the same basic function which is flow through
one direction and no flow (check) return. Check valves are commonly installed on the discharge side of the
pump. The most important role of a check valve is to act as the automatic shut off valve when the pump
stops to prevent draining of the system which the pump fills. However, each check valve has different
shut-off characteristics. This brochure reviews these characteristics to help you select the best check valve
for your project.
Pressure Surge (Water Hammer) can be greatly controlled by selecting the correct check valve, i.e. Silent
Check Valves shut-off very fast (1/20 to 1/10 second), making excellent surge protection devices when pumping
short distances less than half a mile. Conversely, the Automatic Control Check Valve has extremely slow
(and variable) speed shut-off; an excellent surge protection device when pumping long distances (more than
half a mile).
No single check valve is all serving. For example, the Lift Check Poppet (Center Guided) would be excellent
for clean fluid, but a poor selection for waste water because of the obstructive flow passages. Consider
all aspects of your pumping application and refer to the comparison feature chart page 12 before making
your selection.
DeZURIK/APCO Engineers have years of practical experience and knowledge to help finalize your
check valve selection.
Request Bulletin
2200/2600

Series 2600

DeZURIK/APCO also makes other types of Control Valves:

APCO Willamette Series 2600 Ball Valves

APCO Willamette Series 2200 Cone Valves
These valves are suited for water and sewage pumping
applications and are thoroughly explained in Bulletin
2200/2600. They are not included in this brochure.
Series 2200

The following pages briefly describes the various types of check valves with and without controlled opening
and closing devices manufactured by DeZURIK/APCO. If you desire complete descriptive details about any of
these check valves, please request the bulletin number listed below each product.
2

2012 DeZURIK, Inc.

Check Valve Comparisons

Swing Check (Single Disc)
Swing Check closure is affected by gravity (weight of disc)
and reverse flow. The pivot point of the Swing Check is
outside the periphery of the disc and the greater the head,
the greater the possibility that the fluid will flow back
through the valve before the disc can be shut off.
Use caution applying this type of check valve where reverse
flow velocities are high. (See APCO Cushioned Swing or
Controlled Closing Check Valves)

Conventional swing check valve disc closes through

a long 70 to 90 arc. With reverse flow started, shutoff characteristics are greatly improved with addition
of outside lever and spring, weight, air cushion, or
oil cushion chamber.

Double Door Swing Check (Split Disc)

The Double Door Swing Check has the single disc split
in two. By splitting the disc in two, the mass of the disc
is greatly reduced. The torsion springs forcing the double
discs to shut off with minimal flow reversal. This shut
off characteristic greatly minimizes the slam potential as
compared to the conventional swing check.
Typical double door valve with torsion spring which
accelerates closing speed to minimize reverse flow and
slamming.

In double door checks the hinge pin is stationary and

each disc swings freely when opening or closing. Multiple
springs are used on larger sizes to compensate for heavier
discs and to improve shut-off speed.

Rubber Flapper Check (Angle Seating)

The Rubber Flapper Check is another style of the Swing
Check Valve which further attempts to improve the shut-off
characteristics of the conventional Swing Check Valve.
The seating arrangement in this valve is the key to its success.
The seat is on a 45 angle and therefore the flapper travels only
35 to reach full open position. With this short stroke, the valve is
capable of very fast shut-off before reverse flow can develop and
has non-slam characteristics. It is a full flow check valve.
The flapper is one piece Buna-N compression molded to specific
durometers to satisfy tight shut-off at low pressures. The flapper
is steel reinforced, but no metal is exposed to the media.

Spring is Adjustable

Rubber Flapper with Spring Return

For installations that experience rapid flow reversal the APCO
100SR (Spring Return) accelerates the closure of the disc prior
to reverse flow taking place.
The APCO 100SR has been available since 1978.

FLOW

Check Valve Comparisons

Slanting Disc Check (Pivot Off Center)
Figure 4

Slanting Disc Check is a unique valve (Fig. 4). The main

body is made of two pieces to allow a greatly enlarged
flow area through the disc and seat section. The disc
pivots off center with approximately 30% of the disc
area above the pivot point to offer resistance against the
70% disc area below the pivot point. Hence, this type
check has built in non-slam shut off characteristics.
The seating angle is 55. The disc swings open through
this 55 seat angle, traveling a short distance stopping
at 15 off the horizontal. Hence, the disc travels only
a short distance allowing minimal reverse flow and
non-slam shut off.
This type valve is available with hydraulic controls and
disc position indicators.

Silent Check (Center Guided)

Silent Check valves are available in two styles: Globe (Fig. 5) and Wafer (Fig. 6). Each operates identically. The
center guided poppet is spring loaded normally closed. The once patented feature that results in silent shut-off,
is the relation of the poppet to the seat when in the open position. This distance is approximately 1/4 of the
valve size, i.e., a 4" valve has a 1" distance to shut off.
It is the short poppet travel distance coupled with the spring force that results in silent shut-off. The
approximate time of shut-off is between 1/20 and 1/10 second. Silent Check valves are furnished with helical or
conical springs. Both perform equally well minimizing or greatly reducing any possibility of reverse flow (slam
and minimizing the water hammer or pressure surges).
The Globe Style Silent Check is longer in laying length than the wafer style. The longer length allows for a
greater flow through area than the wafer style.

Figure 5

Globe Style

Globe style silent check valve has a springloaded disc That silently closes at zero flow
velocity before reverse flow starts.

Wafer
Style

Figure 6

Wafer style silent check valve operates

identical to the globe style in figure 5.

Automatic Control Check (Pivot Off Center)

All previously described check valves open and close when flow from
the pump starts or stops. The opening and closing of the disc, poppet
or flapper is uncontrolled.

Figure 7

The Automatic Control Check Valve, Fig. 7, is a unique check valve.

It is recommended where pump flow control is essential to prevent
pressure surges during pump start-up and shut-down. The valve (disc)
is electrically controlled to permit remote operation from automatic
pump stations. The valve functions as a shut-off valve, slowly opening
after the pump starts and slowly closing when stopping the pump
flow. Should loss of electrical power occur, the valve will automatically
shut-off without any auxiliary power supply.

APCO Swing Check Valve Features

The Cushioned Swing Check Valve is a heavily constructed, full ported cushioned closure valve, constructed
to meet A.W.W.A. standards. The cushioning device is an external cylinder which fills with air when the valve
opens. When closing, the piston is driven downwards rapidly to compress the air trapped in the cylinder
resulting in cushioned closing. The Cushioned Swing Check Valve is air cushioned for fast closing applications.
For slow closing applications, oil control is recommended. All internals including the seat in the body can be
removed through the bonnet without taking the valve out of the line.

Features
1. Full flow area
2. O
 utside lever and air cushion chamber
3. Free open-air cushion shut off

Series 6000

4. Free open-oil control shut off

- Air cushion
- Free open
- Fast closure

5. Controlled opening and closing

6. Resilient seat or metal to metal
7. Rubber lining available
8. Low head loss
9. Heavy duty valve
10. Lever and cushion chamber installed
on either side
11. Internals removable without taking
valve out of line
12. Sizes 2" through 66"
13. Available in non-ANSI drilling
for international application

Series 6000B
- Oil control bottom buffer
- Free open, control close

Series 6100
- Oil control
- Side mounted cushion

Request Bulletin 6000

5

APCO Double Door Check Valve

Double Door Check Valves are extremely short in length, i.e. a 12" Double Door Check is 71/8 inches in length
(a 12" conventional check is 28" in length) resulting in considerable material and labor savings. Therefore, this
type check valve costs less per inch of size than most other types of check valves available. Although this
valve is light in weight it is capable of heavy duty, continuous operation. The operational principle of the valve
is the same as the ordinary outside lever and spring swing check valve, with the exception that the Double
Door Check Disc is split in two through the center, thereby reducing the distance the disc must travel from
open to close and reducing the possibility of slamming.

Features
1. Non-slam characteristics
2. Low head loss
3. Shortest laying length

Lug Style

4. Resilient or metal to metal seating

5. Can be installed vertically or horizontally
6. Plain flanges or lug style available
7. Rated up to 2500# class
8. F
 ace to face dimensions to API 594 standards
9. Sizes 2" through 72"
10. FM approved & UL listed on some sizes
11. Available in non-ANSI drilling for
international application

Wafer Style

Series 9000

Request Bulletin 9000

6

APCO Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valve

The Rubber Flapper Swing Check is uniquely simple in design. It has one moving part and the flapper does not
pivot on a hinge pin, rather it flexes to open. This check valve is non-slamming in design because the flapper
only travels 35 to reach the 45 seat. Since the flapper is spring loaded (due to resiliency) it usually closes
before flow reversal or near zero velocity. The Rubber Flapper Check is virtually maintenance free. The flapper
has been flex tested equivalent to 20 years of field service without fatigue. The Rubber Flapper Check was
flow tested at Colorado State University and the test report is available.

Features

Series 100

1. Non slam characteristics

2. T
 ight shut off at low pressure (less than 5 psi)
3. For buried service
4. Resilient seat standard
5. Full flow area
6. F
 or sewage, water, oil, sludge, slurry or
chemical service
7. E
 asily rubber lined, 100% encapsulation
8. No pins or bushing to wear out
9. Low head loss
10. Hold open device available for backflushing
11. Flapper can be replaced without removing
valve from the line
12. Flow control device available
13. Proximity switch for remote control
14. Sizes 2" through 48"
15. Rated 125# class - Higher Pressure class
available
16. Ductile iron construction standard
17. Available in non-ANSI drilling for
international applications
18. Model 100SR (Spring Return) available for
installations with rapid reverse flow.

Shown With
Hold Open Device
For Backflushing.

Flow Control Device

Model 100SR

Request Bulletin 100

7

APCO Slanting Disc Check Valve

The Slanting Disc Check Valve is the most reliable swing type check valve available today. The pivot point
of the disc is off center which sets it apart from other swing checks. The offset pivot point is unique and
is one reason for the non-slam characteristics of the valve. The disc area above the pivot point counteracts
the disc area below the pivot point, therefore, when the disc closes it should not slam. The split body
design creates a 42% greater area through the disc section than the equivalent pipe area, hence, it has
the lowest head loss compared to any other swing type checks.

Features
1. Non-slamming in design
2. Hydraulic disc controllers
3. Extremely heavy-duty, long life valve
4. Sizes 3" through 78"
5. Disc position indicator
6. Lowest head loss
7. Long laying length
8. Control opening and closing (800T)
9. W
 ater hammer control without
power activation
10. Free open-control closing (800B)
11. Must be removed from line to
replace internals
12. Available in non-ANSI drilling
for international application

Series 800

800B
Bottom Mounted Buffer
Free Open-Control Closing

800T
Top Mounted Dashpot Controls
Opening & Closing

Request Bulletin 800

8

APCO Automatic Control Check Valve

The Automatic Control Check Valve is not a conventional type check valve. It is four valves in one.
This automatic check is suitable where Pump Discharge Control is essential due to high velocities or
on pipelines exceeding a mile in length. This valve is electric motor controlled. The valve can be directed
from a remote control center automatically. The four valve features are: (1) shut off valve, (2) throttle flow
valve, (3) controlled closing check valve, (4) drain valve. During operation, should power failure occur, the
valve will automatically shut off at a controlled rate. There is no need for auxiliary power due to a unique
slip gear arrangement and a built-in hydraulic system. The two piece body design creates full flow area
through the valve and allows seat replacement in the field without removing the main valve from the line.

Features
1. Full flow globe style body
2. D
 isc contained in the body (disc does not enter pipeline)
3. Resilient seat and drop tight shut off
4. S
 eat replaceable without taking the complete valve
out of the line
5. Positive disc stop prevents over travel
6. Electric motor operated for remote control
7. Built in hydraulic system
8. Fail-safe closure on power outage
9. Manual override
10. Adjustable open and close time
11. Best for surge control
12. Sizes 6" through 48"
13. A
 vailable in non-ANSI drilling
for international application

Pump Discharge Control

Series 8000

Request Bulletin 8000

9

APCO Silent Check Valves

The Wafer Style Silent Check Valve utilizes the same features as the Globe Style Silent Check within a
compact wafer style body. Wafer Style Silent Checks are commonly specified for use in the H.V.A.C. field
where silent operation is essential. They are not generally used in the municipal field because of their higher
head loss. Use Wafer Style Silent Check where space savings in the pump house is the primary concern.
The globe style is the most popular. Silent Check Valves are fast closing. This type of check valve can be
installed in any position, flow up or flow down. APCO Silent Checks in globe design minimize head loss.

Wafer Style Series 300

Features
1. Silent shut off
2. Short face to face
3. O
 ne valve for 125# or 250#
mounting (up to 6" size)
4. Easy removal from the line
5. H
 igher head loss than
globe style
6. Lowest cost
7. Install in any position
8. Resilient seating available
9. FM approved (some sizes)
10. Sizes 1" through 10"
11. Must be removed from line to
replace internals
12. Available in non-ANSI drilling
for international application

Globe Style Series 600

Features
1. Silent shut off
2. Integral flanges
3. L
 ower head loss than wafer style
4. M
 ore expensive than wafer style
5. Install in any position
6. Resilient seating available
7. FM approved (some sizes)
8. Sizes 3" through 42"
9. M
 ust be removed from line to
replace internals
10. Less turbulent flow condition
11. Available in non-ANSI drilling
for international application

Request Bulletin 640

10

Dynamic Performance Of Check Valves

The head (pressure) rise in a pipe due to an incremental change in velocity is calculated using the following equation:
H = transient head (pressure) rise, ft (m)
a = wave speed, ft/s (m/sec)
equation 1
V = change in velocity, ft/sec (m/sec )
g = gravity, 32.2 ft/sec2 (9.81 m/sec2)
The transient head rise is directly proportional to the wave speed (equation 1). Wave speed is a parameter that must be
accurately evaluated for each pumping system. After a sudden change in velocity, a pressure wave travels between two arbitrary
points in a pipe in the time it takes the excess fluid entering the system at the initial velocity to enter the pipe section and come
to rest. The pressure wave can travel at a relatively slow speed or it can travel very quickly. The transient pressure rise can be
affected by the closing characteristics of the check valve.
So then, basically there is concern with the actual pressure rise in a piping system as it relates to the DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
of a check valve. The closure speed of different types of check valves is a function of the following:
4. The valve orientation
1. Weight of the disc
5. If the disc is spring loaded
2. The rotational moment of inertia of the disc
6. Axis of rotation
3. The distance that the disc must travel from fully
open to fully closed
The transient pressure rise generated at valve closure is a function of how fast the valve disc closes and how fast the flow in the
system reverses. The speed that the flow in the system reverses depends on numerous factors, some of which are:
5. T
 he presence of surge protection devices such
1. The number of pumps
as air chambers and surge tanks
2. The specific speed of the pumps
6. Rotational inertia of the pumps
3. The pipe length
7. Surge wave speed (celerity)
4. Profile and elevation changes
It is best to have the piping system in question simulated using a computer transient program to determine the maximum
deceleration of the fluid in the system without the check valve installed. If it is determined that there is a slow deceleration in the
system, then a check valve should close before any significant flow reversal occurs. Transient pressures generated by a check
valve at closure will be minimal. For such a system the dynamic response of the valve is not important and any type of check
valve would close without slamming. On the other hand, systems that generate a high deceleration at pump shutdown may
induce significant reverse velocity before the check valve closes. The disc will slam shut, causing a pressure transient. For such
systems, the valve selection process should consider the dynamics of the valve as well as the dynamics of the system.
The incorrect selection of check valves has been a source of unwanted pressure rise in pipeline systems. The situation can be
exacerbated if a Surge tank (pressure vessel) is located in close proximity to the pump discharge. Field experience has proven
that the APCO Slanting Disc Check Valve with a Bottom Mounted Buffer provides excellent performance in these instances.
The graph on the following page illustrates the dynamic performance of three types of APCOcheck valves: the Slanting Disc
Check Valve, the Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valve and the APCO Silent Check Valve.
The graph is a plot of velocity reduction (reverse velocity) through each style APCO check valve as they relate to system
deceleration. The system deceleration is defined as the rate at which the flow slows to zero once the system pump stops. When
there is an increase in the system deceleration there will be an increase in the velocity reduction (reverse velocity) with the
end result being a rise in system pressure when the check valve closes. So then, it makes sense to use a check valve that has
superior closing characteristics (dynamic performance) to minimize
the pressure rise when your pumping system shuts down.
The graph to the right is a typical example of a transient recording
showing a pressure rise due to a check valve closure.
Added Benefit: The APCO Slanting Disc Check Valve and the
APCO Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valve both have outstanding
flow characteristics. They are extremely energy efficient when
compared with other styles of check valves. (Please see the
Pressure Loss comparison chart on the last page of this bulletin,
or use the APCOST [Domestic or International version] computer
software to determine energy efficiencies for these style check
valves.) These two APCO Check Valves will give you superior
closing characteristics as well as superior flow characteristics.
Excellent flow and excellent closure.

Example of a typical transient recording

11

Comparisons
The graph to the right can be used to determine the pressure (head)
rise by doing the following:

Example: Slanting Disc Check Valve

1. 2
 4" (600mm) pipeline, system deceleration of 30 ft/sec2 (9m/sec2)
and wave speed (a) of 4000 ft/sec (1220m/sec)
2. L
 ocate 30 on the X axis, move vertically to the desired check valve.
Then, read left to the Y axis to determine the velocity reduction
which in this example is 0.500.
3. M
 ultiply the Y axis value by the system wave speed and divide by
the value of gravity. This is the expected pressure rise in feet of
water generated from the check valve closing.

Add this to the pipeline pressure to derive the total system pressure
generated by the check valve closure.

Feature Comparisons

This dynamic performance graph is based on actual tests carried out at

Utah State Water Research Laboratory.
The comparison is based on 6" (150 mm) valves.

CUSHION DOUBLE RUBBER SLANTING SILENT SILENT AUTOMATIC

SWING
DOOR FLAPPER
DISC
CHECK CHECK CONTROL
SWING
CHECK
CHECK CHECK CHECK
CHECK
VALVE
VALVE
VALVE
VALVE
VALVE
VALVE (WAFER) (GLOBE)
VALVE

Check Valve Pressure Loss

Curve Comparison

1. Lowest initial cost

2. Shortest laying length
3. Highest head loss (see head loss curves)
4. Lowest head loss (see head loss curves)
5. Resilient seat standard
6. Resilient seat (optional)
7. Metal seat (optional)
8. Can be rubber lined
9. Waste water and raw sewage
10. Clean water
11. Buried service
12. Vertical installation flow up or down
13. Vertical installation flow up only
14. Free open - Free close
15. Silent closing characteristics
16. Cushion closing
17. Control open and close standard
18. Control close (optional)
19. Remote control
20. Surge pressure control
21. Shut off valve
22. Throttling valve
23. Reverse flow (for Draining)
24. Electric motor operated
25. Disc position indicator
26. 125/150# class
27. Outside lever available
28. Up to 250/300# class
29. Up to 600# class
30. Up to 1500# class
31. Up to 2500# class
32. Velocities to 10 FPS
33. Velocities up to 15 FPS
34. Velocities in excess of 15 FPS

RANGE OF MOST COMMON

OPERATING VELOCITY FLOWS
10

PRESSURE LOSS IN FEET OF WATER

SILENT CHECK VALVE

(WAFER STYLE)
PAGE 10

CURVES BASED ON 6 INCH SIZE VALVES

HEAD LOSS CHARTS FOR OTHERS
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

8
7

CUSHION SWING
CHECK VALVE
PAGE 5

3 PSI

DOUBLE DOOR
CHECK VALVE
PAGE 6

RUBBER FLAPPER
SWING CHECK VALVE
4
PAGE
7

2 PSI

SILENT CHECK VALVE

(GLOBE STYLE)
PAGE 10

SLANTING DISC
CHECK VALVE
PAGE 8

AUTOMATIC CONTROL
CHECK VALVE
PAGE 9

1 PSI

1
0

VELOCITY OF PIPE (F.P.S.)

FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY

10

11

12

Many check valve applications are unique. Therefore, the data SHOWN is intended as a
guide. Application verification is readily available from our engineering department.
Good pump station design encourages at least 3 pipe diameters of straight pipe down
stream of a check valve (in some cases the upstream side)

Sales and Service

For information about our worldwide locations, approvals, certifications and local representative:
Web Site: www.dezurik.com
E-Mail: [email protected]

250 Riverside Ave. N. Sartell, Minnesota 56377 Phone: 320-259-2000 Fax: 320-259-2227
DeZURIK, Inc. reserves the right to incorporate our latest design and material changes without notice or obligation.
Design features, materials of construction and dimensional data, as described in this bulletin, are provided for your information only
and should not be relied upon unless confirmed in writing by DeZURIK, Inc. Certified drawings are available upon request.
Printed in the U.S.A.