These Valves are called "Automatic Recirculation Valve - ARV "

Principle of operation : The combined bypass and check valve protects centrifugal pumps automatically during low load operation. As the pumps load drops below a preset flow rate the valve's disc will move towards its seat and cause the bypass bush to open a bypass flow path and maintain the pump minimum flow. Automatic Recirculation Valves protect centrifugal pumps from damages that may occur during lowflow operations. Minimum flow protection is accomplished with an automatic, modulating bypass that assures smooth pump operation between the minimum and maximum flow point on the pump curve. No external power source is required. These valves are self-contained and simplify the system design and installation. Size range from 1-24, including ANSI class 150-2500 lb. Valve internals are stainless steel with external in carbon steel, stainless steel or special machinable alloys. A common application is to protect pumps which handle hot water for boiler feeding or cooling water plants, where partial evaporation of the water content might otherwise cause the pump to run dry. Even when the flow rate through the main valve to the boiler is completely shut off, a minimum flow is maintained. Another application is to protect high performance pumps during a start up phase. In this scenario, several pumps are used in parallel with one in stand-by. The pump recirculation valve enables the

swap to occur without damage to the pumps. Valves unique design is widely used in the Power, Paper and Pulp, Maritime, Refining and Chemical industries.

Functions
Automatic Recirculation Valves provide cost-effective low-flow pump protection by combining four functions into one valve body:

Automatic Recirculating Valve work similar Flow control set in P&ID as below :

Typical Process Applications include use with :

Boiler feedwater Condensate Turbine Cooling Injection Process system Hydrocarbons Steam Turbines Demineralized Water

Typical Installation
Automatic Recirculation Valves are normally installed on or near the pump discharge. Bypass (or recirculation) flow is returned to a de-aerator or, in some cases, directly to pump suction.

Advantages of the Automatic Recirculation Valve

Unique design Combines both check and bypass features Proprietary Cv calculation system Minimum flow protection No external actuation required 3 Phase Slurry and High pressure variants available