Do ring check valves work as thermal flow valves?

Brad White_107

but the 1 psi PD would be enough to counter gravity flow. (The 28 inch thermal trap dimension is based on this same pressure.)

May even be too much, adding over 2.3 feet of head directly against the circulator. A thermal trap only imposes the head loss of the pipe itself once the water is in motion. The valve loss will be forever more. Significant relative to the other components in your system.

Why not use thermal traps or more predictably an integral flow check or a bona-fide flow check? The IFC's do not appreciably restrict flow according to the "check/no check" curves.

Larry_29

Do ring checks work as thermal checks?

Does anyone know if ring check valves (e.g. Nibco T-480) stop gravity circulation?

I asked the factory and was told the valve requires at least 1 psi of pressure differential to open. I suspect this would be enough to stop most thermal circulation from occuring in heating zones (less than 200 F, vertical pipe no more than 2 feet).

I'd sure appreceate hearing if anyone has experience with these types of valves in zoned systems. I like the compact size of ring checks but don't want to mess up a customer.

Thanks!