Retainerless Check Valves: Small Design, Big Safety Advantage!

In high-pressure, high-risk industrial environments, where safety and reliability are paramount, even the smallest design features can have massive consequences. Among such features in check valve design, the difference between retainerless and retained disc configurations often goes unnoticed—yet it plays a critical role in system integrity, maintenance cycles, and fugitive emission control.

What is a Retainerless Check Valve?

A retainerless valve, as the name suggests, is designed without external pins or shaft penetrations to retain the internal disc or plate assembly. In contrast to conventional retained disc designs—where the disc shaft passes through the valve body and is held in place with external pins or plugs—a retainerless check valve encloses all moving parts within the pressure boundary of the valve itself.

This design ensures there are no paths for potential leakage from the valve's internal mechanism to the external environment, making it the superior choice for critical applications involving hazardous media.

Why Design Matters

In retained disc designs, shaft penetrations in the valve body can become potential weak points. Over time, these penetrations, typically sealed with gaskets or threaded plugs, are subject to wear, thermal cycling, and pressure fluctuations. This increases the risk of leakage, particularly in valves handling corrosive, toxic, or flammable substances.

In contrast, retainerless designs offer a monolithic pressure boundary. Since there are no penetrations, there's no risk of shaft seal failure. This reduces the likelihood of fugitive emissions, helps facilities meet environmental compliance standards, and contributes to safer plant operation.

Key Benefits of Retainerless Check Valves

•         Zero External Leakage Risk: Completely enclosed shaft design eliminates emission points.

•         Reduced Maintenance: No external fasteners or seals to replace or inspect regularly.

•         Extended Service Life: Lower risk of corrosion or gasket failure enhances valve longevity.

•         API 6D and PED Compliance: Meets global standards for pressure containment and integrity.

•         Ideal for Critical Applications: Especially beneficial in offshore, nuclear, hydrogen, and refinery environments.

Flovel’s Retainerless Design Philosophy

At Flovel Valves, safety and reliability are at the heart of our engineering. Our retainerless dual plate and nozzle check valves are designed for long-term, zero-leakage performance in the most demanding applications. We use advanced manufacturing techniques and rigorous quality testing to ensure that each valve upholds the highest standards of operational integrity.

Whether you're designing a system for offshore natural gas, CO₂ sequestration, or hydrogen transmission, our retainerless check valves provide peace of mind through superior engineering.