Wafer Check Valves: Compact Power and Reliability

Wafer check valves provide a compact and efficient solution for preventing backflow in pipelines, without adding unnecessary weight or bulk. This article examines how wafer check valves function, their key benefits, and why QRC’s new Chaoda offering is a smart choice for modern fluid systems.

What Is a Wafer Check Valve?

A wafer check valve is a type of non-return valve designed to prevent fluid from flowing backward in a pipeline. Its primary purpose is to protect pumps, compressors, and process systems from reverse flow that can cause equipment damage, process upset, or safety hazards. Unlike bulky swing check or lift check valves, the wafer design is engineered to fit snugly between two pipe flanges, giving it a low-profile form factor without compromising reliability.

Below are the key characteristics of wafer check valves:

• Compact profile: Significantly thinner face-to-face dimension compared to full-bodied swing check valves, which is especially valuable in modular skids and tight installations.
• Reduced weight: Often 70–80% lighter than traditional cast designs, thus minimizing piping stress and easing handling during installation.
• Flexible installation: Can be mounted between ANSI, DIN, or JIS flanges without the need for special adaptors or heavy valve bodies.
• Protection function: Ensures fluid flows in only one direction, thus preventing costly reverse flow that can damage rotating equipment. This function also complements flow control devices such as ball valves, gate valves, and control valves, which are commonly paired with wafer-type installations.

How Wafer Check Valves Work

The wafer check valve utilizes a dual plate (or dual disc) design with torsion springs to ensure fast closure. This design combines simplicity with engineering reliability, making it suitable, especially for pipelines handling water, hydrocarbons, steam, and corrosive chemicals.

Usually, wafer check valves work in three steps:

1. Forward Flow: When fluid flows in the intended direction, system pressure pushes against the spring-loaded plates, causing them to pivot open around a central hinge pin. The opening is smooth and balanced to avoid turbulence.
2. Normal Operation: Under steady-state conditions, the plates remain fully open, creating minimal resistance and keeping the pressure drop across the valve low.
3. Reverse Flow: As soon as pressure equalizes or attempts to reverse, the springs push the plates toward the closed position. As a result, they seal against the valve seat and prevent backflow.

In many wafer-type installations, engineers also evaluate surrounding components such as gaskets, seat material, and flange selections to ensure reliable sealing.

Technical Advantages of the Dual Plate Design:

• Spring-assisted closure: Reduces the lag time that swing check valves often experience, thus minimizing the risk of water hammer and protecting downstream equipment.
• Sealing options to match service conditions:
  • Resilient seals (EPDM, NBR, Viton) provide bubble-tight shutoff in low to medium pressure and temperature applications.
  • Metal-to-metal seats withstand high temperatures, abrasive fluids, or aggressive process conditions. Alternative seat material options, such as PTFE, are used when chemical compatibility or reduced friction is required.
• Non-slam action: The combination of torsion springs and dual plates ensures smooth, controlled closure, preventing the sudden shockwaves that can occur when heavy swing discs slam shut.
• Low-cracking pressure: The valve requires only a minimal differential pressure to open, making it efficient in low-pressure circulation systems as well as high-pressure process lines.

The combination of fast response, adaptable sealing, and minimal pressure loss explains why wafer check valves are a preferred backflow prevention technology across oil & gas, water, chemical, and power generation industries.

Key Benefits of Wafer Check Valves

For engineers designing high-reliability piping systems, these factors translate directly into lower lifecycle costs and higher uptime. Wafer check valves are chosen not only for their compact size but also for their system-wide advantages:

• Space Efficiency: Fits between standard flanges (ASME, API, DIN), and as a result, saves valuable real estate in pipe racks and equipment skids.
• Lightweight Construction: Less structural reinforcement requirements, hence lowering installation costs and easing maintenance. This weight advantage is similar to other compact valve types such as the wafer butterfly valve, especially when compared to larger iron body and cast iron valve designs.
• Reduced Pressure Drop: Aerodynamic disc geometry allows higher Cv (flow coefficient) compared to swing checks of similar size.
• Minimized Water Hammer: Torsion springs ensure plates close quickly, thus reducing transient hydraulic shock.
• Versatile Installation: Can be mounted in horizontal, vertical upflow, or angled piping runs without performance loss.
• Lower Maintenance: Fewer moving parts and self-centering plates, therefore yielding longer service intervals and minimal wear. 
• Operational Reliability: Dual plate design balances disc movement, ensuring even loading and longer service life under cyclic conditions.
• Cost Savings: Smaller footprint and lighter weight reduce freight, handling, and installation costs compared to full-body check valves.
• Safety and Compliance: Meets API, ASME, and international standards, ensuring confidence in mission-critical applications.
• Energy Efficiency: Lower pressure losses across the valve translate to reduced pumping energy requirements and operational savings.

Common Applications

Wafer check valves are one of the most widely used valve types across various industries because they are ideal for applications where fluid direction must be tightly controlled. Their compact design and reliable non-return function make them indispensable in diverse operating environments.

Wherever backflow protection is required, wafer check valves provide a low-profile, high-performance solution with a proven track record in critical industries.

Oil & Gas

• Pump discharge lines in gathering systems and midstream transport.
• Injection water, produced water, and crude transfer pipelines.
• Gas compression stations and LNG facilities require compact, API-compliant backflow control.
• Offshore platforms and FPSOs, where space and weight limitations demand wafer-style solutions.

Water & Wastewater

• Booster pump stations and treatment plant discharge lines need surge and slam protection.
• Potable water distribution networks, where energy efficiency and low headloss are critical.
• Lift stations and vertical risers where low cracking pressure ensures efficient startup.
• Desalination plants with aggressive brine streams require materials that are corrosion-resistant.

Chemical & Petrochemical

• Acid, solvent, and caustic service lines with stainless steel or alloy wafer checks.
• High-temperature refinery and process heater circuits with metal-seated designs.
• Vapor recovery, flare header, and tank farm isolation systems.
• Polymer and specialty chemical processing requiring bubble-tight, resilient seals.

HVAC & Power Generation

• Chilled water loops, condenser return lines, and cooling tower circulation networks.
• Steam condensate recovery and auxiliary boiler feedwater systems.
• Combined-cycle power plants require low pressure drop and rapid closure to prevent turbine water ingress.
• Nuclear plant auxiliary systems require compliance with ASME standards.

Many systems in these industries also rely on pneumatic actuators for quarter-turn valves, such as ball valves or butterfly valves, operating alongside wafer check valves.

Marine & Offshore

• Ballast water and cooling seawater systems where compact valves reduce hull penetration weight.
• Firefighting and bilge pump lines are where reliability is mission-critical.

Pulp & Paper / Mining & Minerals

• Slurry handling lines with abrasion-resistant seats.
• Process water, white water, and chemical additive lines in paper mills.
• Dewatering systems and tailings pipelines in mining operations.

Chaoda Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves – Now at QRC Valves

QRC is introducing the Chaoda dual plate wafer check valve to our product line, offering customers a trusted design that balances compactness with durability. This valve is engineered with modern industrial demands in mind, ensuring performance across a wide spectrum of applications, from high-pressure oil pipelines to corrosive chemical loops.

Here are the most prominent highlights of the Chaoda Dual Plate Wafer Check Valve:

• Design Features: Dual plate construction with torsion springs and a self-centering seat provides rapid, non-slam closure and reliable sealing under both steady and transient conditions.
• Flow Performance: Streamlined plate geometry reduces pressure loss and minimizes turbulence, increasing energy efficiency and extending pump life.
• Sizes & Pressure Classes: Available from 2″ through 48″, designed to cover ANSI Class 150 up to Class 2500, making them suitable for everything from utility lines to high-pressure critical service.
• Materials of Construction:
  • Carbon steel for general-purpose and cost-effective installations.
  • Stainless steels (304, 316, CF8M) for corrosion resistance in water, chemical, and offshore environments.
  • Duplex, super duplex, and specialty alloys for seawater service, aggressive chemical duty, or high-strength applications.

Additional installations may use ductile iron components or complementary wafer-type isolation valves, depending on system requirements.

• Seal Options: Resilient elastomeric seals for bubble-tight shutoff or metal-to-metal seats for high-temperature and abrasive services.
• Standards Compliance: Engineered and tested in accordance with API 594, ASME B16.34, ISO 5752, and MSS SP-125 to ensure global reliability and code compliance.
• Operational Reliability: Low cracking pressure, minimal maintenance requirements, and robust hinge/seat design ensure extended service life.

Why It Stands Out

• Compact & Lightweight: Significantly reduces space and load compared to traditional swing check valves.
• Versatility: Suitable for horizontal and vertical installations across a wide range of industries.
• Engineered for Safety: Designed to minimize water hammer and hydraulic shock, protecting downstream equipment.
• Proven Track Record: Backed by Chaoda’s global reputation for valve quality and by QRC’s stocking and service network.

With this valve in stock, QRC can support industries where fast turnaround, global compliance, and compact engineering are non-negotiable.

Learn more here: Chaoda Valves

Why Choose QRC Valves 

Beyond the valve itself, QRC provides the technical support for our product lines, which makes all the difference:

• Trusted Supplier: Years of experience providing valves to refineries, chemical plants, power facilities, and municipal systems.
• Technical Guidance: Application engineers available to assist with valve sizing, material selection, and compliance documentation.
• Strategic Stocking: Multiple North American warehouse locations to reduce lead times and freight costs.
• Value-Added Services: Hydrostatic testing, actuation packages, and project-specific QA/QC protocols. These services ensure compatibility with surrounding pipeline equipment such as gaskets, control valves, quarter-turn valves, and other flow control devices.

Choosing QRC means securing not only the valve but also the expertise and support behind it. Contact us today to secure your order and count on compact design, reliable performance, and trusted support.