What is the Difference Between Lift and Swing Check Valves?

1 Introduction

Check valves are essential components in piping systems, preventing backflow and ensuring smooth operation. Among the many types available, lift check valves and swing check valves are the most widely used. Yet, many engineers, buyers, and maintenance teams often ask: What is the difference between lift and swing check valves? This article provides a detailed breakdown of lift check valve vs swing check valve, exploring their working principles, applications, and key performance differences to help you make the right choice.

2 What Is a Lift Check Valves?

A lift type check valve uses a guided disc or piston that moves up and down vertically inside the valve body. When fluid flows in the correct direction, pressure lifts the disc off its seat, allowing passage. When the flow stops or reverses, the disc falls back into position, sealing the valve tightly.

• Advantages: Tight sealing, suitable for high-pressure systems, reliable for clean fluids such as steam, air, and gas.

• Limitations: Higher pressure drop, requires horizontal installation or vertical upward flow, not ideal for dirty fluids.

In short, lift check valves are best for small-diameter, high-pressure, and clean fluid applications where tight sealing is critical.

3 What Is a Swing Check Valves?

A swing check valve has a hinged disc (or flap) that swings away from the seat when fluid flows forward. When flow reverses, the disc swings back into place, preventing backflow.

• Advantages: Low pressure drop, suitable for larger pipelines, capable of handling dirty fluids or slurries.

• Limitations: Closure can be slower, increasing the risk of water hammer; sealing may not be as tight as lift type check valves.

In practice, swing check valves are preferred for water supply, wastewater treatment, oil, and gas pipelines where flow rates are high, and pressure losses must be minimized.

4 10 Differences Between Lift Check Valves and Swing Check Valves

4-1 Working mechanism and dynamic response

• Lift check valve: Disc lifts vertically, providing fast response and quick closure.

• Swing check valve: Disc swings open and closed, closure is slower and can cause backflow before sealing.

4-2 Flow resistance and energy consumption

Lift vs. swing type check valve: Lift check valves create more flow resistance due to their tortuous path, leading to higher energy consumption. Swing check valves allow a straighter flow path, reducing pressure loss.

4-3 Installation direction and space

• Lift check valves: Typically installed in horizontal pipelines or vertical upward flow.

• Swing check valves: Can be installed in both horizontal and vertical orientations, offering greater flexibility.

4-4 Medium and cleanliness

• Lift type check valve: Works best with clean fluids such as steam, compressed air, or high-purity liquids.

• Swing check valves: More tolerant of dirty fluids, slurries, or viscous media, making them ideal for water and oil systems.

4-5 Sealing scheme and leakage level

• Lift check valves: Known for tighter sealing, especially with soft-seated designs, achieving near zero leakage.

• Swing check valves: Generally reliable, but may allow minor leakage, especially in larger sizes or under low-pressure conditions.

4-6 Water hammer, noise, and vibration control

Check valve swing vs. lift: Lift check valves close quickly, reducing the risk of water hammer. Swing check valves may slam shut, causing noise, vibration, or pressure surges. Mitigation options include spring-assisted or damped swing check designs.

4-7 Maintenance accessibility and repair

• Lift check valves: Require inspection of the disc and seat, which may wear faster in dirty environments.

• Swing check valves: Maintenance focuses on the hinge pin, disc, and seating surface. Larger valves may require more space and lifting equipment for repair.

4-8 Cost and Life Cycle

Lift vs. swing check valve: Lift check valves can be more expensive per unit in small, high-pressure sizes, but they offer better sealing performance. Swing check valves are more cost-effective in larger sizes and have lower energy losses over long-term operation.

4-9 Cracking Pressure

• Lift check valves: Higher cracking pressure due to the vertical lift mechanism, ensuring reliable backflow prevention.

• Swing check valves: Lower cracking pressure, making them suitable for low-pressure or gravity-fed systems.

4-10 Typical Application Pairing

• Lift check valves: High-pressure steam lines, compressed air systems, chemical dosing lines, and boiler feed water.

• Swing check valves: Municipal water supply, wastewater treatment, crude oil pipelines, cooling water systems, and fire protection lines.

5 Lift Check Valves VS Swing Check Valves

When comparing swing check vs. lift check, the choice depends largely on fluid cleanliness, system pressure, pipeline size, and risk of water hammer.

• Choose lift check valves for small-diameter, high-pressure, clean fluid systems requiring tight sealing.

• Choose swing check valves for large-diameter, low-resistance applications where energy efficiency and dirty fluid tolerance are important.

By understanding the difference between lift and swing check valves, engineers and buyers can optimize both performance and lifecycle cost.

6 Conclusion

So, what is the difference between lift and swing check valves? In summary:

• Lift check valves are compact, precise, and best for small, high-pressure, clean fluid applications.

• Swing check valves are flexible, energy-efficient, and ideal for large pipelines handling water, oil, or wastewater.

For businesses looking for reliable valve solutions, LIXIN Check Valves provide both lift check valves and swing check valves with robust designs, strict quality control, and international standards’ compliance. Whether you’re focused on preventing water hammer, improving system efficiency, or ensuring tight sealing, LIXIN has the right solution. Contact LIXIN today to learn more about our wide range of LIXIN Check Valves and find the best fit for your project!