The Ultimate Guide to Air Valves
You must have heard about Air Valves, but do you know what is it used for? What are its functions? How to install or use it? Read on for a blog post will share all this and more.
You must have heard about Air Valves, but do you know what is it used for? What are its functions? How to install or use it? Read on for a blog post will share all this and more.
What are Air Valves?
Every irrigation system consists of pipes that carry water from its source to its destination. In this process and often due to erratic water supply levels – pockets of trapped air can form in these pipelines. This trapped air can affect the life and of water pipelines and overall system performance.
We, therefore, use Air Valves to overcome this problem. Air Release Valves help in ejecting trapped air, which ensures the smooth flow of water in the pipelines and smooth functioning of the irrigation system. This happens when the Air Release Valve opens up against the internal pressure built up inside the water pipe.
This happens because of the internal lever mechanism that increases the float force. This force further opens the vent whenever air gets trap in the system.
Our Air Valves are a product of aluminium, brass and engineering plastic. So they can easily withstand the effects of continuous water flow and deliver on heavy-duty performance parameters.
How do They 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. When the level drops to where it no longer buoys the float, the float drops. 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 in the vertical position with the inlet down. Remember to add a shut-off valve below the valve in the event servicing is required.
Functions of Air Valves
There are three major functions of air valves.
Stopping and starting the flow of water
If the water system does not require the throttle flow of water – then one can use valves for starting and stopping the flow of water.
Throttling the flow of water
Throttling the flow is all about reducing the flow of water as required. The main use of the valve is to reduce the pressure of the water in the system.
Maintaining water flow in the right direction
This is another very important function of the valves. Maintaining water flow in the right direction is crucial for the proper functioning of the system. Valves open up when the flow is in the right direction and shut down when the water flow is in the reverse direction. Thus valves are immensely useful as they prevent backflow of water.
Types of Air Valves
Wide ranges of valves are available in the market. We shall discuss the three most commonly used types of valves, their benefits, and limitations.
Air Release Valve
The most widely used type of Valve is Air Release Valve. It consists of small cavities, heavy floats, and a leverage apparatus. All these features work together and enable the air release valve to expel trapped air with full force.
Air/ Vacuum Valve
An Air/ Vacuum Valve has a full-size vent. The size may vary from ½” to 25”. Due to their large size – they can expel a large volume of air. Similarly, they are also capable of intake of a large volume of air. This further helps to avoid the creation of a vacuum in the pipeline.
Combination Air Valve
A Combination Air Valve is the third most common type of valve. It is known as Combination Air Valve because it has features of both the Air Release Valve and an Air/Vacuum Valve. The Combination Air Valve is usually equipped with a single body design, which consists of air release and air/ vacuum components.
Installation
One of the best ways to install them is to fix them at the top of the pipeline. several people lay pipes under the ground or below the soil – so the valves in some cases need a separate vault.
It such cases it is very important for connecting pipes to be the proper size for water flow conditions. Besides, stretched air valve piping can have varying effects on water surge levels, so analysis may require to gauge piping requirements.
Including a shutoff valve under the air, the valve is very crucial for maintenance purposes. Similarly, a riser pipe larger than the air valve creek is what we suggest to assist the air allowance in the valve that runs along the pipeline. You can use the ditch valve once a year to check the utility of the air valve.
If the ditch valve ejects air, the air release part of the valve may require repairs or maintenance. Else, you should check the air valve – during a pump operation to monitor the rate at which it is expelling air without unnecessary seepage.
About DEKO
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