Valves and Valve Equipment

Dual Plate Check Valve: Design, Technical Data and Applications

Discover the design, technical data and applications of dual plate check valves, known for their compact wafer body, low pressure drop and fast closing.

ORFA Technical TeamUpdated: Oct 30, 20263 min read

In industrial pipelines, the medium must flow in one direction only so that pumps, heat exchangers and other equipment are not damaged by backflow and reverse pressure. A dual plate check valve is a compact, wafer-type check valve with two spring-loaded half discs that allows forward flow and automatically prevents backflow. It is installed between two pipe flanges.

Much shorter and lighter than conventional swing check valves, dual plate check valves are used in a wide range of applications, from heating and cooling systems to heavy industry, thanks to their low pressure drop and fast closing.

How Does a Dual Plate Check Valve Work?

Two half discs (plates) mounted on a central hinge pin are held closed by spring force. When flow starts, the pressure of the medium overcomes the spring force, the plates open and the medium passes. When flow stops or begins to reverse, the springs close the plates quickly, before significant reverse flow develops. This fast closing reduces the effects of backflow and the related pressure surges.

Design Features

Compact wafer body: Clamped between two flanges with the flange bolts; takes up little space and shortens installation time.
Double spring, split disc design: Opens with the flow and provides tight sealing against backflow.
Rubber seat: Rubber-seated models offer high sealing performance and reduce closing noise.
Light weight: Lighter than conventional check valves, so handling, installation and maintenance are easier.

Materials and Technical Data

Feature	Value
Body material	GG25 grey cast iron or GGG40 ductile iron
Disc (plate) material	AISI 316 stainless steel or nickel-plated GGG40
Connection	Wafer (between flanges)
Nominal size	DN50 (2″) – DN600 (24″)
Maximum working pressure	16 bar
Operating temperature	-10 °C to +110 °C (depending on seat and seal material)

Tip: On rubber-seated check valves, the seat material sets the temperature limit. For steam or high-temperature condensate lines, choose metal-seated models or models with materials suitable for those temperatures. For example, the rubber-seated Ayvaz ÇV-20, ÇV-25 and ÇV-26 models in the ORFA range are limited to -10…+110 °C and are not suitable for steam, whereas the AISI 316 PN40 stainless dual plate check valve can be used up to +200 °C depending on the seal.

Advantages

Low pressure drop: In the open position the plates lie parallel to the flow, so flow resistance is low and pumping energy is saved.
Fast response: Spring-assisted plates close quickly when flow stops, improving plant safety.
Compact design: Suitable for tight spaces and easy to maintain.
Long service life: Durable body and disc materials ensure long-term performance.
Flexible use: Different material options suit different media and operating conditions.

Applications

Heating, cooling and air conditioning systems
Fire protection and irrigation systems
Shipbuilding, mechanical installations and refrigeration systems
Iron and steel, mining, minerals and oil industries
Woodworking and paper production
Textile industry
Industrial water lines and, with suitable materials, steam and condensate lines

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a dual plate and a swing check valve?

A swing check valve has a single disc that pivots on a hinge and a long body. A dual plate check valve uses two spring-loaded half discs in a short wafer body, so it is much more compact and lighter and closes faster.

Which sizes are dual plate check valves available in?

The models covered in this article are available from DN50 (2″) to DN600 (24″) for pressures up to 16 bar.

How is a dual plate check valve installed?

The wafer body is placed between two pipe flanges with gaskets and clamped with the flange bolts. The flow direction arrow on the body must be observed.

Conclusion

With their compact design, low pressure drop and fast closing, dual plate check valves provide safe and efficient backflow protection in industrial pipelines. With the right body, disc and seat materials they deliver many years of reliable service. Explore other check valve types on our Check Valves page.

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