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Working Principles & Types (Clear Guide)

What is Air Valve? Working Principles & Types

(Clear Guide)
By Linquip Team / Last Updated On: October 17, 2022
 Table of Contents

1. What is An Air Valve?

2. Working Principle of an Air Release Valve
3. An Air Release Valve’s Components
4. Types of Air Valves
5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Valves
6. Applications of Air Valves
7. Air Valve Size and Placement
8. FAQs about Air Valves

What is Air Valve? Working Principles & Types – An air-operated valve, also known
as a pneumatic valve, is a sort of power-operated pipe valve that works in the
same way as a solenoid by using air pressure. As the air pressure rises, the
compressed air pushes against the piston or diaphragm walls, causing the valve to
open. The application determines whether the valve opens or shuts.

These valves are used for a variety of purposes in pneumatic systems, however,
they are most commonly utilized for one of two purposes. When a certain
pressure is achieved, the first activates a section of the system. The second avoids
harm by maintaining a consistent pressure or flow rate inside a system or
releasing pressure when it rises too high.

In this post, we will describe the basics of air valves along with their working
principle and various types.

⇒ View a List of Air Release Valves for Sale and Their Suppliers ⇐

What is An Air Valve?

Every irrigation system relies on pipes to transport water from the source to the
objective. Due to the fluctuating water supply, pockets of trapped air are typical
throughout these pipelines during this procedure. Water pipes can get blocked
with trapped air, reducing their performance and shortening the lifespan of the
system.

As a result, air valves are used. The air release valves assist in the removal of
trapped air, allowing water to flow freely through the pipelines and the irrigation
system to work effectively. The air release valve opens as the internal pressure
inside the water pipe rises, releasing the air.

Air Release Valves, also known as Air Relief Valves, are used to release trapped air
at high-pressure points in a pipeline. An air release valve’s internal lever
mechanism causes the float force to be greater than the internal pressure, letting
it open against internal pressure. When air pockets form in the valve, the orifice is
opened by increased force. Air release valves are required to keep the pipeline
operating efficiently and prevent it from water hammering.

You are encouraged to visit the Linquip platform, in which you can find numerous
air release valve Companies and Manufacturers, along with Service Providers.
 An air release valve (Reference: avkvalves.eu)

Working Principle of an Air Release Valve

Pneumatic valves are components that regulate the pressure, quantity, and pace
of air moving through a pneumatic system by managing the material at the
source and then regulating the passage according to the requirements in pipes
and tubes. Pneumatic systems rely on compressed air to deliver power and are
utilized in a variety of industrial applications such as diesel engines and
pneumatically controlled power equipment.

Pneumatic valves are opened and closed using actuation components in a variety
of methods, including manually, pneumatically, and electrically. The valve’s control
mechanism is based on air, whereas the media that flow through the valve are
water, oil, or any other fluid. So, this valve controls the flow of fluid in the valve,
but the fluid being regulated is not air. The air is just a control medium that is fed
through a pneumatic actuator to shut or regulate the flow.

These valves lower pressure in a regulated manner with the use of actuators and
positioners. The controllers detect pressure changes and adjust the signal for air
supply to the pneumatic positioner. The pneumatic positioner provides air to the
diaphragm, which causes the valve to open, while the spring provides the
opposite force which causes the valve to close.

Installation of an air release valve through a pipeline (Reference: plastomatic.com)

An Air Release Valve’s Components

The pieces of the air release valve are as follows:

Body of the Valve

The inner floats and top mechanism are contained within a compact ductile iron
body. The body is constructed with no float guides in the intake, allowing you to
install butterfly valves directly under the air valve without losing performance.
Each valve body has a bottom 316SS grade tamper-proof drain valve that allows
the valve to be drained and tested safely and rapidly.

Assemblies of Inner Floats

Inner floats are composed of polypropylene bar stock, which ensures that their
shape and mass do not alter over time. The valve body’s four guide ribs guarantee
that the floats are all directed straight to the body, preventing them from
becoming offset to one side.

Types of Air Valves

2-way, 3-way, and 4-way air-operated valves are available.

2-Way Valves

2-way valves can be operated in one of two ways: generally closed or normally
open. These valves feature two ports that aid in the regulation of air flow in a
system. The majority of these valves have a basic on-off operation.

3-Way Valves

3-way valves are available in two configurations: typically closed and normally
open, as well as a universal function in which gas may be routed via a third
opening to transfer the valve into the normally closed or normally open position.
To operate a single-acting cylinder or pilot another valve, 3-way valves pressurize
and exhaust one exit port. A pair of three-way valves can be used to operate a
double-acting cylinder, obviating the need for a four-way valve. The 3-way valve’s
principal function is to save/store compressed air in high-cyclic applications.

4-Way Valves
For systems that demand more air pressure, 4-way valves are employed. In a
pneumatic system, four-way valves are the most often utilized components for
directional control. The 4-way valve can have four or five ports, each with its own
set of functions. The most typical function of these devices is to control the
motion of a cylinder, motor or another power source.

From another point of view, automatic air valves, air and vacuum valves, and
combination air valves are the three types of air valves used in water systems.

Automatic Air Valves

Automatic air valves discharge little amounts of air from a pressurized pipe on a
regular basis. Small orifice air valves and pressure air valves are other names for
automatic air valves.

Air and Vacuum Valves

Large amounts of air are discharged from non-pressurized pipelines using air and
vacuum valves, which are often employed while filling a line. When lines are
emptied, and the pressure decreases abruptly, air and vacuum valves allow
significant amounts of air to be admitted. Kinetic air valves, big orifice air valves,
vacuum breakers, low-pressure air valves, air relief valves, and single-action air
valves are all names for air and vacuum valves.

Combination Air Valves

Automatic air valves, as well as air and vacuum valves, are combined in
combination with air valves. The air and vacuum functions discharge and admit
huge quantities of air during the filling or draining of pipes, and the automated air
release function releases collected air from the system while it is under pressure.
Double orifice air valves, double acting air valves, and dual orifice air valves are all
terms used to describe combination air valves.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Valves
Advantages

Air release valves preserve the pipeline system and keep it running smoothly.
These valves make venting huge amounts of air during filling or starting a breeze.
They might also let air back in during the emptying process. The significance of
this is that under negative pressure, some materials may collapse. When air
release valves are placed, they work automatically.

Disadvantages

When a pipeline is loaded or emptied too quickly, the air release valve cannot
always handle the air flow needs. The valve must be the correct size for the
application.

Applications of Air Valves

Pump failure, corrosion, and flow restriction can all result from a pipe filled with
trapped air. It might also lead to an increase in energy usage. Air release valves
allow you to manage the flow of air within a pipe, expel surplus air, and keep the
system running smoothly. The valves are inserted in pipes where air collects
naturally.

In water pipes and sewer force mains, air release valves are widespread. If they’re
installed appropriately, they’ll be visible at the system’s high points and peaks.
They might be combined with a vacuum/air combination valve or placed
somewhat downstream. Air release valves are suitable for any closed-loop system
or pressured pipe that might entrap air. Air release valves feature tiny orifices in
comparison to other types of air valves. As a result, they’re best suited to
applications with lower exhaust air volumes.
 Applications of air valves in water systems (Reference: avkvalves.eu)

Air Valve Size and Placement

Air valves are dimensioned for a distinct installation, with flow, location, and air
valve performance all taken into account. As a result, the air valve’s DN does not
match the DN of the pipe on which it is mounted. Advanced calculation tools
include analyses such as fill rate analysis, drainage analysis, burst analysis, water
column separation analysis, and energy-saving analysis to determine the size and
position of air valves for a given project.

An air valve’s principal role is to remove undesired air pockets from a pipeline, but
it can only do so if it’s fitted appropriately. The right placement of the air valve
can considerably increase water flow performance. As a result, air valves should be
put at the spots along the pipeline where sub-atmospheric pressure is most likely
to occur. In general, an air valve should be positioned at the pipeline’s peak, and it
must always be mounted vertically.

The position of an air valve must be studied before installation to ensure that it is
protected from freezing, pollution, and floods. For maintenance, operation, and
inspection, the air valve should be freely accessible.

The sizing of air valves in water systems is crucial

To obtain more information on how to size air valves, watch this comprehensive
webinar.

FAQs about Air Valves

1. What Are Air Release Valves and How Do They Work?
The automatic air release valve allows collected air to be released when the
system is under pressure. When air is present in a water system, it reduces the
effective cross-sectional flow area, resulting in lower flow and higher head loss.

2. What Are the Functions of Air Release Valves?

When air builds up at the system’s high points, it causes a line obstruction. Head
loss and pumping cycles increase as a result of line constraints, which increases
energy consumption. When a fluid is driven into a confined conduit, its velocity
rises. As the velocity rises, it’s possible that the air pocket will break apart and be
dragged downstream. A water hammer or high-pressure surge is the outcome.

Pressure surges and water hammers can cause catastrophic damage to pumps,
valves, and pipelines. This is the most important consequence if the air is allowed
to build at the system’s highest point. If the air pocket is not transported away by
the fluid’s velocity, it will continue to develop, ending in total obstruction of the
flow. Air release valves promote smooth and efficient operation by continually
expelling surplus air from the system.

3. Where should air valves be placed?

These valves should be installed where air is most likely to gather since they are
designed to discharge air from the pipe system. Install them vertically with the
intake down at high places in the system. Remember to install a shut-off valve
beneath the valve in case it has to be serviced.

4. When should air release valves be installed?

To effectively vent and pull air into the system, air release valves and air vacuum
valves should be fitted every 800m on lengthy pipe lengths as a rule of thumb.
Due to the force of the flow, vacuums can occur downstream from valves that are
rapidly cut off.
5. How does air get into water pipes?

Water system maintenance is the most common cause of air in the water lines.
When the water supply is turned off for a length of time, air might enter the
system. (Turning on the faucets for a few seconds typically cures the problem.) Air
may enter your system as a result of maintenance work on the water main.

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TAGS Industrial Guideline Question

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