Our air valves come in a wide range of designs, providing efficient gas exhausting and administering to pipelines for a variety of processes, including industrial, potable and wastewater applications. Robust construction materials, WRAS-approved options and configurable features make them a versatile and reliable solution to your air valve needs.
Air valves are designed to intake and release gasses (de-aerate) from pipelines during filling, emptying and regular operating to protect the system and its components from air pockets, vacuums and pressure surges.
How do single orifice air valves prevent airlocks in pipelines?
Airlocks are caused when gas accumulates in pipeline high points and restrict or completely stop hydraulic flow. Single orifice air valves are installed at these high points to allow accumulated gases to escape and prevent an airlock from forming.
What are the common applications of single orifice air valves?
Single-orifice air valves are used in applications that require uninterrupted fluid flow or experience significant changes in pipeline elevation:
Water distribution networks
Irrigation systems
HVAC systems
How does the design of a single orifice air valve work?
Single orifice air valves are installed at pipeline high points where gasses accumulate due to having a lower density than fluids.
These valves have a single opening controlled by a float that rises and falls with liquid levels. As more gas accumulates the liquid level lowers the float and the vale face opens, allowing the trapped gasses to escape.
Air Valve FAQs
What are air valves?
Air Valves are valves that intake and release gas (de-aerate) from fluid management systems to protect the equipment from accumulated air pockets that can cause damage through pressure surges or vacuums.
How does air get into fluid management systems?
Air can enter into fluid management systems in several ways:
• Naturally dissolved from water and waste fluids.
• During routine maintenance.
• Introduced during the initial installation.
• Drawn into the system through other equipment (e.g. turbulence from pumps).
If left unmanaged the flow-rate of fluid through the pipes becomes unreliable and structural damage can occur, leading to increased running costs due to operational inefficiencies and extra maintenance needs.
What are the different types of air valves?
Air valves come in three main design configurations:
Single large orifice air valve (two function/air vacuum valve) - releases and intakes gas during the system's draining and fluid pressurising (charging) phases.
Double orifice air valve (three function/combination air valve) - has a small and large opening for different rates of gas intake and release.
Where should air valves be installed along pipe lines?
Air valve positioning can affect the overall reliability and efficiency of the fluid management system.
Single-function air valves are most effective at system high points for the release of accumulated air.
Two-function air valves are ideal at system low points for the release of air pockets as well as the intake of air if fluid pressure drops, as this could affect the uphill flow of liquid.
Double orifice air valves are best positioned where bulk inflow or outflow of gas is needed, with the added small orifice function maintaining system stability and efficiency.
Air Valves & Hydraulic Analysis for Pumping Efficiency
T-T Flow recently supplied air valves to one of Europe's largest paper manufacturers to be installed in a new waste pumping station.
Due to the length of the overhead pipes, our experts also completed hydraulic analysis prior to installation to ensure optimal air valve positioning for efficient hydraulic flow.
Our experts specified and supplied essential air valves to a new mixed-use development spanning 850,000 sq ft, including 3,000 new homes, office space and amenities.
The 63-acre site needed reliable air valves to accommodate pressure fluctuations caused by variable flow rates.