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Air locks in liquid piping systems obstruct flow and can be resolved by changing pressure or opening a valve. Recurring air locks may indicate a system problem. Fermentation vats require air chambers to release gas without releasing liquid.
An air lock is an air bubble in a liquid piping system that creates an obstruction, slowing the rate of flow or stopping it altogether. Air locks can occur in a wide variety of systems, and there are several techniques operators can use to resolve them. This term should not be confused with the airlock, an enclosed chamber which separates two or more chambers from each other or which allows movement between spaces of differing pressures.
When an air lock occurs, the bubble slowly makes its way to the top of the plumbing because it is lighter than the surrounding liquid. Along the way, it can collect and incorporate smaller air bubbles, creating an even larger pocket of air. When the pocket hits the top of the plumbing, it will prevent the liquid from moving through the system, because it cannot force its way past the air bubble or push the air bubble forward in the pipe. Air blockage commonly occurs in fuel lines, boilers and radiators.
This situation may be accompanied by knocking and other strange noises caused by pressure inside the symptom. One option for addressing a bladder is to change the pressure in the lines, either lowering the pressure to allow the bubble to escape or increasing the pressure to allow the fluid to puncture the bubble. Another technique is to open a valve attached to a high point in the pipeline. Many systems include such valves to purge the lines to release the air and allow the fluid to flow normally again.
Frequent recurrence of the bladder in a system may indicate a problem with pressure or other characteristics. A technician will need to evaluate the system to determine how and where air is entering and what can be done to prevent blockages in the future.
A particular type of air chamber can arise in the context of fermentation vats. As beer and wine ferment, gases are generated and begin to rise to the surface of the vessel, causing the pressure to build. Without help, the ships would explode, creating a catastrophic disaster. Leaving the vessel open to allow for ventilation is not an option as the mixture can become infected or oxidized. The solution is to install a valve to let the carbon dioxide out, while keeping the oxygen out. These systems are based on an air chamber in which the gas rises to the top while the liquid remains at the bottom to avoid unintentional release of beer or wine.
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