Difference between Foot Valve and Check Valve

Difference between Foot Valve and Check Valve

A foot valve is used to maintain a nearly full suction pipe for a pump to enable the pump to lift the liquid into the pump suction. It decreases the priming loss of pump. The foot valve is used in the suction of pump in downward direction. It is used to suck the fluid from sump. In sump fluid the foot valve is installed. It works mainly on gravitational effects fitted at bottom of the suction pipe of the pump. The flow velocity to keep a foot valve open is lower than the velocity required keeping a swing or lifting check valve open. The differential pressure across the foot valve is small.

Check valve works on difference of pressure in inlet and outlet of the valve. Check valve can be fitted anywhere in the pipe line.