What is an Air Valve?
An air valve is a valve fitted in series within a pipeline to vent air into the pipeline or extract it from the pipeline.
Why must air in a pipeline be controlled?
The presence of trapped air in a pressurised pipeline can have adverse effects on system operation and efficiency. Air pockets accumulating at high points due to a difference in elevation can damage the pipeline at the accumulation point through a vacuum effect, causing constriction, which in turn leads to a reduction in flow velocity and increases the energy required to pressurise the water flow. Air pockets exceeding a critical amount in the system can block the flow throughout the entire pipeline, rendering it unusable.
Why Do We Use Air Valves?
The primary cause of 60% of pipeline bursts is the absence, malfunction, or incorrect selection/positioning of air valves within the network. On average, 2% of the fluid in water networks consists of air. Having 2% of the circulating fluid in the network as air means 2% more pumping energy and 2% higher pumping costs.
| DN (Diameter) | Length – Width [mm] | Height [mm] |
|---|---|---|
| DN 50 | 190 | 290 |
| DN 65 | 220 | 310 |
| DN 80 | 256 | 350 |
| DN 100 | 256 | 410 |
| DN 150 | 340 | 480 |
| DN 200 | 433 | 560 |
| DN 250 | 540 | 600 |
| DN 300 | 620 | 640 |
| DN 400 | Custom Manufacturing | Custom Manufacturing |
