Lift-type check valves offer good sealing but have high flow resistance, making them suitable only for horizontal or vertical pipelines. Swing-type check valves have low flow resistance and a wide range of applications, suitable for pipelines in various directions, but their sealing performance is slightly inferior.
Lift-type check valves: The valve disc slides vertically along the valve body's centerline, similar in structure to a gate valve. The valve disc is opened by the pressure of the medium, and closed by its own weight or spring force when flow stops or reverses. They are available in vertical (for vertical pipes) and horizontal (for horizontal pipes) types.
Swing-type check valves: The valve disc is disc-shaped and rotates around a rocker arm shaft outside the valve seat to open and close. It pushes open the valve disc during forward flow and automatically falls back to seal during reverse flow. Depending on the diameter, they can be classified as single-disc, double-disc, and multi-disc types to reduce water hammer impact.
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Comparison Table: Lift Check Valve vs. Swing Check Valve
| Comparison Dimension | Lift Check Valve | Swing Check Valve |
| Working Principle | The disc moves up and down along the valve body centerline (perpendicular to the flow). | The disc swings or rotates on a hinge pin (hinge) located outside the seat. |
| Internal Structure | Similar to a Globe Valve, featuring an internal guiding mechanism. | Similar to a Gate or Door, consisting of a clapper, hinge pin, and arm. |
| Flow Path | "S" shaped tortuous path. The fluid must turn 90 degrees twice. | Straight-through path. The disc almost completely clears the flow path when open. |
| Flow Resistance | High. Significant pressure drop due to the turns in the flow path. | Low. Minimal resistance, high flow capacity, and energy-efficient. |
| Installation Orientation | Strictly limited to Horizontal lines (flow must be upward through the seat). | Horizontal or Vertical. For vertical lines, the flow direction must be Upward. |
| Closing Speed | Fast. Short stroke allows for rapid reseating. | Slow. Long travel distance; requires more time to fully reseat. |
| Water Hammer Control | Good. Rapid closure helps mitigate water hammer shocks. | Poor. Prone to slamming, which causes noise, vibration, and hydraulic shock. |
| Sealing Performance | Excellent. Stable guiding ensures high seating accuracy. | Medium. Relies on backpressure; sealing may degrade after long-term wear. |
| Media Requirements | High. Requires clean media; prone to jamming if particles enter the guide. | Low. Better tolerance for media with small debris or higher viscosity. |
| Size Range | Commonly used for Small Bore (typically ≤ DN50 / 2"). | Available in all sizes; the preferred choice for Large Bore (DN2000+). |
| Maintenance | Medium. The seat can be lapped/repaired after removing the cover. | Easy. Simple structure; easy to inspect the arm and hinge pin. |
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FAQ
When to use a lift check valve?
Lift check valve applications
Lift check valves are used in a wide range of industries: Water supply systems: Used in municipal water supply systems to prevent backflow and maintain pressure. Pumping stations: Installed at the discharge side of pumps to prevent reverse flow when the pump is turned off.
What are the benefits of swing check valves?
The primary function of a swing check valve is to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of fluids in one direction while preventing any reverse flow. With a hinged disc that swings open and closes with the direction of flow, swing check valves provide efficient and reliable shut-off capabilities.
How should a swing check valve be installed?
Swing check valves are always installed with the HINGE PIN placed horizontally, and above the pipe centerline (as shown in the pictures at the end of this section). Incorrect installation may result in binding, high head loss, and/or sticking in the open position.