You've probably heard of Air Valves, but do you know what they're used for? What are its functions? How to install it? Continue reading to learn more.

 

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What are Air Valves?

Every irrigation system comprises pipes that transport water from its source to its final destination. During this process, and often due to erratic water supply levels, pockets of trapped air can form in these pipelines, affecting the life of the water pipelines and overall system performance.

 

To address this issue, we employ Air Valves. Air Release Valves aid in the ejection of trapped air, ensuring the smooth flow of water in pipelines and the proper operation of the irrigation system. This occurs when the Air Release Valve opens in response to the internal pressure within the water pipe.

 

This is due to the internal lever mechanism, which increases the float force. When the air becomes trapped in the system, this force opens the vent even more.

 

Aluminum, brass, and engineering plastic make our Air Valves. As a result, they can withstand the effects of continuous water flow while still delivering on heavy-duty performance parameters.

 

Functions of Air Valves

There are three major functions of air valves.

 

  • Restarting the flow of water

If the water system does not require a throttled flow of water, valves can start and stop the water flow.

 

  • Throttling the flow of water

Throttling the flow means reducing the flow of water as needed. The valve's main function is to reduce the pressure of the water in the system.

 

  • Maintaining water flow in the right direction

This is another critical function of the valves. Maintaining proper water flow is critical for proper operation. When the water flows in the right direction, the valves open, and when the water flows in the opposite direction, the valves close. As a result, valves are extremely useful because they prevent water from backflowing.

 

Types of Air Valves

The market offers a wide variety of valves. We'll go over the three most common types of valves, their advantages, and their limitations.

 

  • Air Release Valve

The most common type of valve is the air release valve. It comprises small cavities, heavy floats, and a leverage device. These features work in tandem to allow the air release valve to expel trapped air with maximum force.

 

When Air Release Valves are to be installed, they are typically open. The float rises only after the water has passed through the valve, and this is due to its resilience and lids that cover the cavity of the Valve. Once operational, the float will fall due to its weight as air collects in the Valve frame.

 

  • Air/ Vacuum Valve

An air/vacuum valve has a full-size vent that can range from 12" to 25". They can expel a large volume of air due to their large size, and they can also intake a large volume of air due to their large size. This also contributes to the avoidance of a vacuum in the pipeline.

 

Air or vacuum valves are typically open and afloat in the valve, rising with the water level to seal the large cavity after the air has been expelled.

 

When system compression is low due to draining, on the other hand, the float drops, allowing air to re-enter the pipeline.

 

Air or vacuum valves do not have a power connection, and they do not open when pressurized due to the large diameter of their cavity. As a result, an Air Release Valve is required to discharge air and gas during irrigation system operation.

 

When working with vertical turbine pumps, air/vacuum valves are commonly used to release air, and this is because the pipeline between the thrust and the check valve fills with air after the valve is closed.

 

When a vertical turbine is turned on quickly, it can lift a large amount of water. As a result, the air pocket should be exhausted before the water can open the check valve. As a result, an air/vacuum valve is ideal for this application because it can quickly eject large volumes of trapped air.

 

At the top of the thrust column, an Air/Vacuum Valve should be installed. It is necessary to do so because the accumulated air tends to escape through the air vacuum valve when the pump starts. Valves are frequently outfitted with a throttling device, which is adjustable and mounted on the valve's top to regulate the flow of air expulsion.

 

Because the water pump can reach full speed in a matter of minutes, you can use the throttling device to reduce the rate of air expulsion, ensuring that the water flow and speed are not too high. Otherwise, it will affect the downstream check valve, resulting in a water sledgehammer in the pump column.

 

Another type of Air/Vacuum valve is a slow closing device. Slow-closing devices are typically used in pipe applications where column parting is possible.

 

When the expulsion rate increases, this device closes the valve. To achieve the best results, install the slow-closing device on the creek of clean water valves and the outlet of wastewater air valves.

 

  • Combination Air Valve

A Combination Air Valve is the third most common type of valve, and it is called that because it combines the functions of an Air Release Valve and an Air/Vacuum Valve. The Combination Air Valve is typically equipped with a single body design that includes air release and air/vacuum components.

 

It's also available in a dual body design, with an air release valve piped into the side of an air/vacuum valve. The tasks performed by the two arrangements are the same.

 

The single-body design may be more cost-effective; however, the dual-body design may provide more design flexibility in terms of vent sizing. Some piping designers use a combination air valve on a pipeline because it performs all of the valve functions.

 

Installation

Installing them at the top of the pipeline is one of the best ways. Because several people lay pipes beneath the ground or below the soil, the auxiliary valves may require their vault in some cases.

 

In such cases, connecting pipes must be sufficient to accommodate the water flow conditions. Furthermore, because stretched air valve piping can affect water surge levels, an analysis may be required to determine piping requirements.

 

The valve, which includes a shutoff valve beneath the air, is critical for maintenance. Similarly, we recommend a larger riser pipe than the air valve creek to help with the air allowance in the valve that runs along the pipeline. Once a year, use the ditch valve to test the air valve's functionality.

 

If the ditch valve ejects air, the air release portion of the valve may need to be repaired or serviced. Otherwise, check the air valve – while the pump is running – to monitor the rate of expelling air without causing unnecessary seepage.

 

Location

When it comes to the location/position of an Air Valve, because its primary function is to release unwanted pockets of air from a pipeline, it only works effectively when it is properly positioned. The size of the Air Valve determines its location or positioning.

 

Air Valves should be installed where the pipeline is most vulnerable to a sub-atmospheric pressure. The proper placement of the Air Valve can significantly improve water flow performance.

 

Maintenance and Repair

Examining or repairing an air valve necessitates extreme caution. When a system is operational, and air valve can release large air under pressure or admit large amounts of air under a vacuum.

 

Both have the potential to cause bodily harm. Any maintenance on an air valve necessitates closing the shutoff valve beneath the air valve, and pressurized air can be trapped in the air valve even with a closed shutoff.

 

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