An air release valve allows trapped air in pipes to escape and comes in automatic or manual styles. It is important for smooth operation and safety. Automatic valves are placed at the highest points and manual valves are activated by users. The valve design and materials used depend on the system’s needs.
An air release valve is a pipe fitting that allows air trapped inside pipes to escape. There are automatic valves that vent whenever air is in the system, along with valves that must be manually operated to vent the air. This type of fitting comes in several styles for various applications and can be obtained at a hardware store or through a company that supplies pipe fittings.
Air can build up in plumbing systems for a variety of reasons. It slows down the flow rate in the system and can cause a number of other problems with smooth, uninterrupted operation. Therefore, being able to vent the air is of paramount importance. There are also safety concerns involved with releasing the air, as you generally don’t want to release the fluid into the system along with the air. Highly sensitive valves are required to allow gases to escape while preventing fluid from escaping.
Automatic valves can be used in any system that contains fluid, be it water or another liquid. They are placed at the highest points of the plumbing. When a system is not pressurized, the air release valve is open, allowing air to freely exit the air release valve. When the system is pressurized for use, the air it contains will be forced to the highest points, allowing it to be expelled from the air release valves. Once the fluid begins to push against the valves, the valves close to prevent fluid leakage.
Manual valves are activated by a human user when there appears to be air in the system. The user can open the air release valve to release the air in the system, as seen with the valves on radiators. A plant can be equipped with both manual and automatic valves if deemed necessary. Some automatic valves may be called degassing valves if they are designed to release air continuously, not just when the system is first pressurized.
The design of the air release valve limits the amount of air that can escape at any given time and the rating on the valve should be considered during installation to ensure it meets the needs of the system. The materials used to make an air valve vary depending on the fluid being transported in the system. If corrosive fluids are used, for example, the valve must be made of corrosion resistant materials. When designing a plumbing system, care is taken to select appropriate valves to control the air output and maintain the correct pressure level within the system.
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