What is an Air Valve?

Air valves are an essential part of water supply networks. Whether it be a water distribution line or sewage main, you can find an air valve there.

Main Components of an Air Release Valve

Valve body

The unique ductile Iron valve body is compact and houses the inner floats and upper mechanism. The body is designed so the inlet is completely free of float guides, enabling butterfly valves to be used directly under the air valve without impacting performance. Each valve body has a lower 316SS grade tamper-proof drain valve enabling the valve to be drained and tested quickly and safely.

Inner float assemblies

The inner floats are all manufactured from bar-stock polypropylene, ensuring they can never change their mass or shape. The floats are all guided and kept square to the body by the four guide ribs on the valve body, ensuring they cannot get blown offset to the side.

Air Valve Types

1. Combination Air Valves

It combines the function of automatic air valves and air and vacuum valves. The automatic air release function releases accumulated air from the system while it is under pressure, and the air and vacuum function discharges and admits large volumes of air during the filling or draining of pipelines. Combination air valves are double-orifice air valves, double-acting air valves, and dual-orifice air valves.

2. Air and Vacuum Valves

It discharges large volumes of air from non-pressurized pipelines and is mainly used when filling a line. Air and vacuum valves make it possible to admit large volumes of air when lines are drained and the pressure suddenly drops. Air and vacuum valves are kinetic air valves, large orifice air valves, vacuum breakers, low-pressure air valves, air relief valves, and single-acting air valves.

3. Automatic Air Valves

It continuously releases relatively small volumes of air from a pressurized line. Automatic air valves are also known as small orifice and pressure air valves.

What Causes Air in Water Pipes?

Air and vacuum formed in water mains may lead to serious operating problems and even some dramatic consequences. Air can enter piping systems in several ways:

• Empty Pipelines

Pipelines not in operation are occupied with air. Most of it is evacuated during startup, but some air pockets can remain in the system.

• Air in The Fluid

Liquids like water can contain trapped or dissolved air depending on the temperature and pressure. It separates from the liquid during fluid flow and can become trapped at the system’s high points. Also, in pipelines conveying sewage, the liquid waste can undergo chemical reactions and evolve into gases that can get trapped in the wastewater system.

• Mechanical Equipment

Air can also enter the pipeline through mechanical systems like pumps, pipe joints, valves, etc. Leaks or faulty seals in these components can lead to air infiltrating the piping system.

The function of Air Valves

Air Valves perform two important functions in a piping system. They maintain system design efficiency and provide system protection. System efficiency is maintained by venting air via the air valves from the system, which can restrict flow and increase pumping costs.

Protection is provided by exhausting and admitting air through the air valves during system operations, including start-up, shutdown, and critical conditions such as power failures or line breaks. The exhausting and admitting air during these conditions will reduce the potential for destructive surges and water hammer normally associated with uncontrolled air or a vacuum within the piping system.

How does an Air Valve work?

Automatic air release valves are installed at the highest points in a pipeline where air naturally collects. Air bubbles enter the valve and displace the liquid inside, lowering the liquid level. It drops when the level drops to where it no longer buoys the float. This motion pulls the seat away from the orifice, triggering the valve to open and vent the accumulated air into the atmosphere.

As the air is vented, liquid re-enters the valve, once again buoying the float, lifting it until the seat presses against the orifice, closing the valve. This cycle automatically repeats as often as necessary to maintain an air-free system.

Proper installation is critical to the operation of air-release valves. Because these valves are designed to release air from the piping system, they should be placed where the air is most likely to collect. Install them at system high points vertically with the inlet down. Remember to add a shut-off valve below the valve if servicing is required.

Applications of Air Valves

All fluid transport systems

• Potable
• Sewage
• Residual
• Raw water
• Saltwater (reverse osmosis plants)
• Acids in solution (mining).

Advantages of Air Valves

• Protect pipelines
• Resolve air entrapment issues
• Ensures safe operations of pipelines
• Prevents bubble and air pocket formation
• Low maintenance
• Energy efficiency

Disadvantages of Air Valves in the pipes lines

The control of the presence of air – inside the pipe can cause severe problems:

1. The impedance of the flow in pipes or reduction of the effective section:

It increases energy losses. Also, the inadequate water supply to the different areas of the system is due to the obstruction of the flow and the accumulation of localized head losses.

2. Inaccurate readings on gauges and hydrometers.
3. Serious damage to internal rotating parts of gauges.
4. Inadequate water supply due to incorrect meter and hydrometer readings.
5. Corrosion and Cavitation problems.

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There are two kinds of manual air release valve and automatic air release valve.

The former needs to be operated manually and closed manually after air release, which is quite troublesome. The manual air release valve has gradually faded out of the market, and the latter can automatically release air at any time. Most of the new buildings use or automatic air release valve. In the process of water replenishment, there will be gas entering the heating pipe. When the gas is congested, the heating will not be hot Set or air release valve to let off gas and make heating system circulate smoothly.

Function principle of Air Release Valve:

When the water enters the pipeline, the plug head stops at the lower part of the positioning frame to exhaust a lot of air. When the air is exhausted, the water enters the valve to float the ball, and the plug head is driven to close to stop the exhaust. During the normal operation of the pipeline, a small amount of gas will naturally be generated, which will gather in the upper part of the pipeline. To a certain extent, the water level in the valve will drop, and the gas will be discharged from the small hole along the water falling of the floating ball. In case of power failure and pump stop, the negative pressure will appear at any time when the water in the pipeline flows empty, and the floating ball will drop along the water. Open the small hole to drive the large hole to conduct a large amount of air intake to ensure the safety of the pipeline.

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Compressed air has been utilized as a safe and reliable power source for over 100 years. In fact, approximately 90% of all industrial manufacturing companies rely on compressed air at various stages of operation.

Many manufacturers have turned to compressed air as an economical utility. Unlike gas, water, and electricity, compressed air does not need to be supplied by an outside source—it can easily be generated on-site by the user. While this makes power generation easier, it also puts the responsibility of air purity and contamination in the hands of manufacturers.

The three main types of contaminants in compressed air

Water content in compressed air

Then there is the moisture contained in our ambient air. It enters the compressed air piping system through the intake in the form of water vapor. This water vapor is the most prominent contaminant in compressed air in total volume terms and it forms most of the liquid contamination that can be found in the air system.

The water content is measured in terms of the dewpoint. It is the temperature at which the compressed air is still able to handle its water vapor content before the moisture forms condensate.

If the moisture is not removed, it can reduce the service lives of pneumatic equipment through corrosion. In addition, it could lead to bacterial growth, which could adversely impact the quality of final products. This is especially problematic in applications in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.

While air quality is not as important for some processes, it is crucial to applications in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, where bacterial growth would be particularly harmful.

Oil in compressed air

The quantity of oil in compressed air depends on several factors, including the type of machine, design, age and condition. There are two main types of compressor design in this respect: those that function with lubricant in the compression chamber and those that function without lubricant. In lubricated compressors, oil is involved in the compression process and also is included in the (fully or partially) compressed air. However, in modern, lubricated piston and screw compressors the quantity of oil is very limited.
In this case, it is known as a compression contaminant.

Dust particles in compressed air

It all starts with the ambient air that has to be compressed. In a typical industrial environment, it can contain more than 140 million dirt particles per cubic meter. When it is compressed, these contaminants are concentrated in line with the air pressure increase.
That means that compressed air can contain many times as many dirt particles. Unfortunately, most of them are so small (under two microns) that an inlet filter only removes 20% of them.

The four most common sources of compressed air contamination and what causes them.

Ambient Air

Ambient air is the air found outside of the compressor. When an air compressor is in use, it acts as a large vacuum that pulls in the surrounding air. This air often contains water vapor, microorganisms, atmospheric particulate, and oil vapor that can be harmful to the compressor system. To avoid contamination, make sure proper filtration methods are set in place.

Air Compressor

Contaminants are often unavoidable in compressor systems because certain materials are required for the system to function properly. Liquid oil, liquid water, oil aerosols, and water aerosols are often used in air compression and ultimately find pathways into the air chamber. It’s important to be aware of these potential contaminants and limit exposure when possible.

Air Receiver

Air receivers are installed to increase the efficiency and reliability of the compressor. However, they also serve as a source of contamination that can lead to chemical reactions and oxidation if not properly maintained. Be sure to provide regular cleanings and preventative maintenance to avoid rust, pipe scale, and bacteria from forming.

Distribution Piping

Distribution piping transports air from the compressor to various locations around the facility. Similarly to air receivers, distribution pipes can be a major source of contamination that can lead to rust, pipe scale, and the growth of bacteria if not properly maintained.

To protect your compressed air systems from contamination, be sure to provide regular preventative maintenance and filtration systems that eliminate harmful contaminants and keep your air safe.

2 ways to prevent contaminated air in your food facility

Keep the air as dry as possible

Before pumping the air through your plant, remove as much moisture as possible. The ideal dew point is -40℉. Most facilities have a large dryer that can achieve this level of dryness. Monitor your dryer’s performance regularly to ensure that it can reach this temperature specification.

Use at least a two-stage filtration system

Ensure your facility is using proper filters to prevent microorganisms from appearing in the air and traveling through your plant. Food Safety recommends installing a two-stage filter system as close as possible to the point of use. For some plants, a three-stage filter system may be necessary.

What is an Air Valve?

Air Valves perform two important functions in a piping system. They maintain system design efficiency and provide system protection. System efficiency is maintained by venting air via the air valves from the system which can restrict flow and increase pumping costs.

Protection is provided by exhausting and admitting air through the air valves during system operations including start-up, shutdown, and critical conditions such as power failures or line breaks. The exhausting and admitting of air during these conditions will reduce the potential for destructive surges and water hammer normally associated with uncontrolled air or a vacuum condition within the piping system.

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