Different Types Of Industrial and Manufacturing Plants

Different Types Of Industrial and Manufacturing Plants

Checking the Check Valves: How to Make Sure They Are Operational

by Wallace Prescott

Check valves are one-way flow valves. They prevent fluids from passing backward the way that the fluids came. If the valves fail, then there is a clog and/or a backward flow, neither of which are good in producing industrial chemicals. Here is how to check your check valves to make sure they are operational.

Pipe Flow Monitors

It costs a lot of money to install pipe flow monitors, but given the cost of repairs to your check valves, it is worth it. Pipe flow monitors are electrical monitors that sense when the flow of fluid is not going the direction it should. Some monitors are installed inside the pipe valves themselves, which only works with non-caustic liquids. Others are attached to the exteriors of the valves where they can sense vibrations and interpret them as flow directions and pressure. Either way, you would be able to tell if there were pipe flow issues in your check valves.

Tightening Valves

Check valves, as well as ball valves and gate valves, all rely on pressure to keep things moving. If these valves are not sufficiently tight, the pressure is lost. When pressure is lost, the valves are unable to do their jobs properly. Make sure your chief engineer runs operational maintenance at least once a week so that the valves are all nice and tight.

Replacing Valves When They Leak

No valves should leak—ever. That said, your check valves should not be leaking whatever chemicals your company produces. If they are leaking, your engineer will need to shut down this area of the plant and replace the valves that are defective. This may require more than one or two people, since these valves are enormous and someone will have to support the valve in place as you remove the other.

Switching Check Valves for Another Kind of Valve

You have options when it comes to selecting valves for the flow and movement of chemicals. If you ever decide that a check valve is not quite right for production flow, you can replace it with a different valve. Ask your chief engineer what kinds of valves he/she thinks would work better in its place and then have the engineer install that valve. You could also swap out other valves with check valves in an attempt to make the production line run smoother and be more efficient. Again, whatever valve changes you make, run them by your engineer.

For more information, contact a business such as Monumental Supply Company.


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About Me

Different Types Of Industrial and Manufacturing Plants

Industrial and manufacturing plants play an important role in everyone's life. These large plants are responsible for manufacturing all types of products that are essential to life as we know it today. My name is Gabe Hammond and one of my interests is industrial and manufacturing facilities. It's fascinating to me to think about all of the different types of manufacturing plants that are around today. I've spent many hours researching the various types of industries and I wanted to share my findings with you by writing this blog. You'll learn all about different kinds of industrial facilities, such as bottling plants, disposal plants, refineries and recycling plants. I think you'll find this blog very informative and it will give you a better idea of how products are made.