In the world of industrial fluid handling, where corrosive chemicals, high pressures, and mission-critical processes are the norm, reliability is not just a goal—it is an absolute requirement. For over 175 years, one name has stood as a benchmark for engineering excellence in this demanding field: ITT Goulds Pumps. While the brand is renowned for its massive, powerful pumps, the precision and safety of these systems often depend on a series of small, unassuming components. Among them, the Duckbill valve plays a vital, behind-the-scenes role in ensuring operational integrity and environmental safety.
This blog post explores the rich history of this American industrial powerhouse and delves into the essential function of the Duckbill valve within its sophisticated pumping ecosystems.
A Legacy Forged in Innovation: The ITT & Goulds Story
The story of ITT Goulds Pumps is a narrative of deep industrial heritage. The Goulds brand traces its roots back to 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, where it began manufacturing some of the earliest reliable pumps for a burgeoning American economy . This long-standing tradition of reliability and efficiency made Goulds one of the most widely recognized and respected names in the global pump industry .
Today, Goulds Pumps operates as a critical part of ITT Inc. , a diversified leading manufacturer of highly engineered critical components. ITT itself, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, has a history of innovation dating back to the 1920s and today serves leading customers in the energy, chemical, general industrial, automotive, and aerospace markets . By combining Goulds’ century-and-three-quarters of pump expertise with ITT’s global engineering resources, the brand provides holistic solutions that maximize performance and reliability for flow systems across the world .
The Duckbill Valve: A Simple Idea for Complex Challenges
The Duckbill valve is an elegantly simple check valve, made from flexible elastomers like rubber or silicone. Its unique shape, mimicking a duck’s bill, allows fluid or gas to pass through in one direction and instantly seals to prevent any backflow. In the harsh environments where Goulds Pumps operate, this function is indispensable for maintaining system prime, preventing contamination, and ensuring the precise dosing of fluids.
Where Precision Meets Application
Within ITT Goulds Pumps systems, Duckbill-style check valves are integral components, often found in the following scenarios:
- Chemical Processing & Dosing: In applications involving corrosive, toxic, or hazardous chemicals, preventing backflow is critical for both safety and process integrity. The new secondary containment system for the Goulds ICM Metallic Magnetic Drive Process Pump highlights the extreme measures taken for leak-free operation in such environments . Duckbill valves within the pump or associated chemical dosing systems ensure that aggressive fluids like those in water treatment or semiconductor manufacturing move only in the intended direction .
- Water & Wastewater Treatment: ITT Goulds Pumps manufactures a vast array of pumps for the water cycle, from raw water intake to wastewater treatment . In these plants, Duckbill valves are commonly used in odor control systems, sludge incinerators, and for injecting chemicals precisely during the treatment process . They ensure that effluent and chemicals do not flow backward, maintaining system efficiency and safety.
- General Industrial & Marine Applications: In the pulp and paper, primary metals, and marine industries, where pumps handle everything from slurries to cooling water, check valves are essential for protecting equipment from reverse flow damage and maintaining system pressure .
Related Pump Models and Systems
While ITT Goulds does not sell the Duckbill valve as a standalone retail product, these valves are critical components within many of their pump systems. The following Goulds pump models, often used in applications requiring check valves, represent the type of equipment where such components are essential:
- 3196 i-FRAME Process Centrifugal Pump: A high-performance chemical processing pump utilized across industries to reduce repair costs and extend service life .
- ICM Metallic Magnetic Drive Process Pump: Designed for zero-leakage operation with hazardous, environmentally-sensitive fluids .
- VICR Pump: An innovative vertical design built for efficiency, delivering higher head at low flows .
- 3600i API 610 (BB3) Pump: Engineered for maximum hydraulic efficiency and reliability in petrochemical refining and production .
- 3430 Large Double Suction Pump Line: Ideal for industrial process, municipal, and marine services, designed with advanced features for reliability .
For these pumps, the specific check valve components, including duckbill-style valves, would be sourced through authorized service centers as part of maintenance or repair kits.
Where to Buy: Authorized Distributors & Service Providers
Due to the highly engineered and often custom nature of ITT Goulds Pumps, genuine parts are best sourced through their authorized distribution network to ensure proper fit and performance.
1. Regional Authorized Distributors:
These companies are official representatives for ITT Goulds products and can provide genuine parts and expert service.
- Hudson Pump & Equipment (Florida, USA): A division of Tencarva Machinery Company, this is the exclusive municipal representative for all sales of ITT Industrial Process products in the state of Florida. This exclusivity applies to Goulds Pumps pumps and repair parts sold under the Goulds Pumps brand name .
- Contact: Refer to the Tencarva Machinery Company website for locations and phone numbers.
- European Pump Services (EPS) BV (Benelux): EPS is the sole distributor for the Benelux region for the brands ITT Goulds and ITT Bornemann .
- Address: 4751 XA, Oud Gastel, Netherlands
- Website: maritime-industry.nl (for contact form)
- 南京苏欧机电设备有限公司 (Nanjing Suou Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd.) (China): This company is a distributor for ITT Goulds pumps and parts in China, including Goulds pumps like the RJC, QRJ series, and others .
- Phone: +86 15312045944
- Address: 洪武大厦705, 南京市, 江苏省, 中国
2. Goulds PRO Services:
For expert maintenance, repair, and genuine OEM parts, ITT operates a network of Goulds PRO Services shops. These facilities are strategically located to provide comprehensive aftermarket support, including field service, engineering, and replacement parts . You can find the nearest PRO Services location through the official Goulds Pumps website.
3. ITT Corporate & Official Website:
The best starting point for locating any authorized distributor or service center is the official ITT or Goulds Pumps website.
- ITT Inc. Website: www.itt.com
- Goulds Pumps Website: www.gouldspumps.com
Recent News & Brand Presence
ITT Goulds Pumps continues to lead the industry through innovation, strategic collaboration, and a focus on sustainability.
- Enhanced Safety for Critical Applications (Dec 2025): ITT Goulds Pumps introduced a new secondary containment system for its ICM Metallic Magnetic Drive Process Pump. Developed with engineers from ITT’s Bornemann brand in Germany, this optional system provides an additional layer of protection against leakage for applications involving hazardous, environmentally-sensitive fluids, helping customers meet stringent safety and compliance requirements .
- Launch of the 3430 Large Double Suction Pump Line (2025): This new line represents a significant milestone, replacing three legacy models with a unified, more efficient design. It features enhanced serviceability, accessibility, and a longer lifespan for applications in industrial, municipal, and marine settings .
- Showcasing System-Level Solutions (Oct 2025): At industry events, ITT showcased a suite of precision-engineered fluid handling solutions spanning Goulds Pumps, Engineered Valves, and VIDAR Motors. The emphasis is shifting toward integrated, intelligent systems that optimize flow, improve energy efficiency, and enhance operational reliability in water-cycle applications, rather than just selling individual components .
Conclusion
For over 175 years, ITT Goulds Pumps has provided the muscle and reliability for the world’s most critical industries. Behind the immense power of their pumps lies the precision of small components like the Duckbill valve, which quietly ensures safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance every single day. Whether in a chemical plant, a municipal water facility, or a marine application, maintaining the integrity of these small parts is essential to the performance of the whole. By understanding the legacy of ITT Goulds Pumps and sourcing genuine components through authorized distributors like Hudson Pump & Equipment or European Pump Services, engineers can ensure their systems continue to operate at the highest standard.