Air valves are hydro mechanical devices that are specifically designed for releasing air and in some applications for releasing wastewater gases or admit air during draining, filling or operation of liquid piping systems. Professionals prioritise the installation of air valves in water pipelines.

While there are different types of air valves available such as double air valve, butterfly air valve, etc. the primary purpose of installing this device is to eliminate air and wastewater gases from a liquid piping system.

But there’s more to this device than just fulfilling its primary purpose. The use of this hydromechanical device ensures to deliver different operations that bring more efficiency to the system.

Keep reading till the end to learn the reasons why air valve installation is needed.

1.     Protection of the pipeline

The first reason to say “yes” for the installation of an air valve is that it helps in protecting the pipeline system from many elements. The qualifying properties of an air valve enables it to offer protection to the overall system.

Since air valves are designed to operate automatically and deliver corrosion resistant performance, they safeguard the pipeline from abrasive liquid flow. Moreover, this device aids in the effective movement of air which tends to form within the pipeline when venting large volumes of air at start up and filling of the empty pipeline.

In fact, air valves can also operate well during power failures. Therefore, protecting the pipes and overall pipeline system from suffering breakdown or collapse due to generation of negative pressure.

2.     Safe operations of the pipeline

The accumulated air or air bubble within the pipeline can cause catastrophic effects and jeopardise the safety of premises as well as human lives. Therefore, it is important to control air to ensure safe operations of the pipeline.

If the release of the accumulated air is not controlled then this action can cause explosive outcomes. This may even pose a high risk for physical danger of the operators as the uncontrolled air release has high velocity which can severely injure individuals.

But that’s not all, accumulated air can also result in pipeline inefficiency. The installation of an air valve helps in controlling the air release efficiently and meet the air flow demands of the pipeline system.

3.     Eliminates formation of air pockets or bubbles

Within a high-pressure water transmission pipeline system, the presence of air pockets or bubbles is a common phenomenon. The prolonged accumulation of these air pockets or bubbles can result in cavitation and further contribute to the formation of bubbles.

These can severely impact the pump operations and erode the pipeline system. The air valves effectively eliminate the formation of air pockets and help the pipeline system to function properly.

Features of Double Orifice Air Valves

With the application of a double air valve, users can get the benefit of small and large orifice within a single unit. The large orifice operates in two ways, one is by admitting air within the pipeline when the system pressure drops below atmospheric pressure and second is by expelling air again as the pipeline system is charged or refilled.

Whereas the small orifice functions to bleed air under operative pressure and expel any accumulated air at high points of pipeline profile.

All in all, air valves are a vital installation in any high-pressure water transmission line network.