Dual plate check valve

Dual Plate Wafer Check Valve – Ultra-Compact Between-Flange Installation

Dual plate wafer check valves deliver maximum space efficiency for African offshore platforms, skid-mounted packages, and industrial retrofits where installation length is constrained. The wafer configuration sandwiches between existing pipe flanges without requiring dedicated valve bolting—the through-bolts that join the pipe flanges also retain the valve body. This eliminates valve-specific bolt holes, reduces face-to-face length to just 40-60mm (1.6-2.4″) regardless of pressure class, and provides 60-80% installation length reduction compared to flanged swing check valves.

Weight-critical offshore applications on Nigerian, Angolan, and Ghanaian production platforms increasingly specify wafer checks to minimize topside structural loads. A DN 150 (6″) Class 300 wafer check weighs approximately 12-18 kg (26-40 lbs) versus 45-65 kg (100-145 lbs) for an equivalent swing check—the 70% weight reduction translates directly to platform capacity for additional process equipment or extended service life of aging offshore structures common in West African waters.

The between-flange installation requires both upstream and downstream flanges to remain in place for valve retention—removing either flange releases the valve. For applications requiring single-valve removal without system isolation, specify lug-style dual-plate checks with threaded holes enabling independent flange bolting. For maximum compactness where both flanges will remain during service life (permanent installations on platforms, process skids, or pipeline terminals), wafer style provides lowest cost and weight.

When to Specify Wafer vs. Lug Dual-Plate Checks

Specify Wafer Style When:

• Maximum space savings critical: Offshore platforms, skid-mounted packages, or retrofit installations where 40-60mm face-to-face length provides unique solution unavailable with other check valve types
• Minimum weight required: Weight-critical offshore topsides (Nigerian, Angolan platforms), platform life extension projects, or African field construction with crane capacity limitations
• Lowest cost priority: New construction or permanent installations where 15-25% cost savings versus lug style justifies through-bolt retention method
• Permanent installation: Services where valve will remain in place for system life without requiring removal for maintenance—both flanges will always be installed
• Continuous operation systems: Pipeline terminals, offshore production, or process units that cannot be shut down for single-valve removal

Specify Lug Style Instead When:

• Single-valve removal needed: Maintenance-intensive services requiring periodic valve inspection/replacement without full system shutdown—critical for African industrial plants where production downtime costs exceed valve price premium
• Deadend service: Applications where downstream piping may be removed or isolated while valve must contain full upstream pressure—lug design provides independent flange retention and pressure rating both directions
• Field serviceability priority: Remote African mining, oil & gas, or water installations where ability to remove/service valve without system isolation justifies 15-25% cost penalty
• Future expansion planned: Process systems where downstream equipment additions or modifications may require valve access while maintaining upstream operation

Reference: Related Categories

This wafer check valve category is a specialized installation variant of Dual Plate Check Valve technology. For lug-style installation with independent flange bolting, see Dual Plate Lug Check Valve. For general check valve selection guidance and comparison of dual-plate vs. swing vs. tilting disc vs. lift check technologies, consult the parent Check Valve category.