Automatic Recirculation Control (ARC) Valve
Protecting your pumps. Enhancing your process reliability
In many industrial systems, centrifugal pumps operate under varying flow conditions. When flow drops below the required minimum, the pump can overheat, vibrate, and even suffer severe mechanical damage. To prevent this, Automatic Recirculation Control (ARC) Valves are installed to ensure safe minimum flow is always maintained — automatically and without external control.
How an ARC Valve Works
An ARC Valve combines multiple functions in one compact unit:
- Main Flow Control: It allows the normal forward flow to the process line when demand is sufficient.
- Automatic Bypass Operation: When process flow decreases, an internal spring-loaded mechanism opens a bypass line, returning part of the fluid to the pump’s suction tank or reservoir.
- Non-Return Function: It also prevents reverse flow to the pump when shut down.
This fully mechanical design eliminates the need for separate control valves, flow sensors, or electrical instruments — making it ideal for critical pump protection applications.
Key Applications
- Power plants (boiler feedwater systems)
- Refineries and petrochemical plants
- Desalination units
- Water treatment and process industries
- Any centrifugal pump system requiring minimum flow protection
Advantages of FCT ARC Valves
✅ Automatic & Reliable: No need for external control signals.
✅ Compact Design: Combines multiple functions — check, flow control, and bypass — into one body.
✅ Customizable: Available in various materials and pressure classes (ANSI / DIN standards).
✅ Long Service Life: Precision-engineered trim ensures smooth operation even in high-pressure or high-temperature service.
✅ Easy Maintenance: Designed for accessibility and minimal downtime.At FCT Valve, we engineer and supply high-performance ARC Valves designed to protect your centrifugal pumps and extend equipment life.
Whether you need standard sizes or custom-engineered solutions, our team delivers precision, quality, and performance for your most demanding systems.