In any type of system where liquids of any viscosity are moved through the system, having the ability to limit flow in one direction is important. In oil and gas production in Texas, the use of oil check valves is common as an effective way to keep the oil flowing in one direction and preventing any oil from backing up through the system.
All check valves are very simple in design. They need to be simple as they should be a passive component in the system that has an extended life cycle and a very high rate of performance, even when left for long periods of time without any maintenance.
The oil check valves used in the oil and gas industry, as well as any other type of fluid transfer system, are self-automated. In other words, they open or close on their own based on the conditions within the system. This allows the valves to be installed in remote locations without any need for human operation or control required once they are installed.
Options to Consider
There are many different types of check valves, but for oil check valves the swing gate valve is one of the most commonly used options. This valve has a disk installed that blocks the return from the outlet side of the valve if the pressure on the inlet side drops.
The flow of oil from the inlet side keeps the swinging disk in the open position, allowing uninterrupted flow as long as the pressure and flow are maintained. Should the pressure drop the disc swings down and seals with the backflow pressure. Once the pressure on the inlet side is higher than the pressure in the valve, the disc swings open and the uninterrupted flow of the system continues.
Most suppliers to retailers in the Texas oil and gas industry stock standard types and sizes of brass check valves. They also provide a full line of other types of valves required in the industry.
