What type of valve is used to separate the heating and cooling functions of a three-pipe system?

In a three-pipe system, a three-way diverting valve is essential for effectively managing the separation of heating and cooling functions. This type of valve allows for the diversion of fluid flow between the heating and cooling coils, enabling the system to switch between heating and cooling modes without requiring separate systems for each function.

Using a three-way diverting valve, the flow from a common supply line can be directed either to the heating coil or the cooling coil based on the demand of the system, ensuring that the desired temperature is maintained efficiently. This functionality is crucial in systems where space and resource efficiency are key, as it minimizes the need for extensive piping and simplifies control strategies.

In contrast, other types of valves, such as two-way valves and flow control valves, are typically used for more straightforward on/off or throttling functions that do not facilitate the necessary separation of flow in a three-pipe system. A check valve is designed primarily to prevent backflow and is not suited for directing flow between multiple pathways. Thus, the three-way diverting valve is the optimal choice for fulfilling the requirements of heating and cooling separation in such systems.