On May 9, 2011, a marine contracting company—the same one that transported the U.S. space shuttle Enterprise up the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum—purchased two 60-in.-diameter rubber duckbill check valves to be installed on a bulkhead in New Jersey. This contractor was the low bidder on the bulkhead dredging and sub-grade preparation project for the Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Paulsboro, N.J. The new marine terminal project cost about $70 million. A retaining wall had to be built on the shoreline to deepen the port to 40 ft to accommodate ships.
The project included a storm drainage system for the area adjacent to the Marine Terminal. The storm water collection system leads into two 60-in. concrete pipelines that penetrate the bulkhead, discharging storm water during rain events. The duckbill valves operate within a wide range of flow conditions—making them effective for storm water applications because they allow storm water to drain but do not allow any backflow of water through the pipe.
The contractor for the project selected two duckbill valves manufactured by J&S Valve. The HedFlex Duckbill is constructed from high-grade rubber with few additives. The straight bill design has fewer limitations than a curve bill design and does not have to swing open like a curved bill. Also, if sediment builds up in front of the valve, the sediment can prevent a curved bill from swinging open. The straight bill also will allow flow around obstructions that may lodge in front of the valve.
The two J&S 60-in HedFlex Rubber Duckbill check valves were manufactured in accordance with the contract specifications and delivered on time, were easily installed and are performing to all expectations by preventing backflow of water through the storm drains.
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