Lesson 12

Air Release in Piping Systems

Objective

What are the sources of the air in piping systems?

What problems are caused by this air?
What are some types of air release valves?
Where should these valves be located?

Reading Assignment
Read this online lesson as well as any related source materials.

Lecture
Free air can be found in most piping systems and fittings. When the line is filled
incompletely, air pockets will be left at high points, and at a variety of fittings along
the way. A pressure change up or down will cause the release of dissolved air, or air
can enter the system by the vortex action of the pump, at the intake. All openings,
connections, and fittings can allow air to enter the system.

Why are ARVs Needed?

Air release valves (ARVs) are used to release the air from air pockets that are formed
in pipelines. Air pockets will form at the high points of a fully pressurized pipeline.
ARVs are necessary for pipeline efficiency and also for water hammer protection. Air
in the water lines can cause many problems, such as speeding up the process of
corrosion. A reduction of flow is also created by air that has been trapped at the bends,
tees and other fittings in the system. Flow can even stop due to an air lock in the
water line. This usually happens in chemical feed lines at the water plant. If ARVs are

not installed, uncontrolled air releases may occur, causing pressure surges in the
system, which can increase the chances of hazards from cavitation. Also, if air is left
in a water main, it will eventually cause customers meters to read improperly, thus
charging the customer for air that is going through the meter, and not water.
The universal type of ARVs from Crispin are designed to allow the automatic
discharge of large amounts of air from the water main while it is being filled, and also
to allow air to enter the water main when the water line is being emptied. It will also
allow the air to escape the water main when it is in operation and under pressure. This
occurs with a compound lever system functioning in conjunction with a large and
small orifice in one integral body casting. As the liquid rises into the valve, air escapes
through the large orifice to the atmosphere. Liquid entering the valve raises the float
and lever system, carrying with it the pressure plunger and the main valve. When the
liquid has raised the float to its limit, the main valve and pressure plunger will rest
against their seats- then the valve is closed and no liquid can escape.
If accumulating air rises into the valve while the line is in operation and under
pressure, it will displace the liquid at the top of the valve body and the float will drop
as the liquid recedes. As this occurs, the pressure valve will open, permitting the
escape of the accumulated air, after which the liquid level will rise and the valve will
close.

Types of Air Release Valves

There are three basic types of air release valves;

 Kinetic Air Release valves

Automatic Air Release valves
Combination Air Release valves

Kinetic Air Release Valves with Large Orifice

This type of valve is used to release air at high flow rates during the filling of the line
and to allow air to enter the line at high flow rates during its emptying.
The Kinetic Air Release valve will function when the line is not under pressure. It is
designed so that when the line is under pressure (water flowing) the valve will stay
closed.

Automatic Air Release Valves with Small Orifice

This type of valve is used to release air during water flow, while the system is under
pressure. When air bubbles appear in the valve, the ball will drop, causing air to be
released. When the water rises again, the ball will be lifted, causing the valve to close.

Combo Air Release Valve

This type of valve incorporates an automatic and kinetic air release valve into one
unit.

Valve Locations
Air release valves are located on rising mains from the pumps to release and admit air.
They are located at peaks throughout most systems. ARVs should be located at
transition points in the pipe slope, especially before and after steep slopes in the
system. It is recommended that ARVs be located every 500m or 1500 ft. along
pipeline sections of long uniform slope.

Review
In this lesson we learned that air release valves (ARVs) are very important in the
water industry. ARVs are used for the release of air pockets that form in water lines.
Air pockets will form at the high points of a fully pressurized pipeline. These valves
will help to improve water line efficiency and help to slow down water hammer. Air
enters water line in many ways causing problems for the distribution system
operators. The process of corrosion can occur with large amounts of air in the water
line. This is something that we do not want to encourage. Flow is reduced if there is a
great deal of air in the water line. Air in the line will also increase the chances of
hazards from cavitation. If there are no ARVs, the air will eventually get out of the
lines by going through customer meters.
ARVs work in a two-fold manner. They discharge air from the line, while it is being
filled, and yet, will let air into the line as it is being emptied. Also, this valve will
allow air out of the line when it is in operation and under pressure. There are three
basic types of ARVs; 1- Kinetic ARV, used to release air during high flow rates, 2 Automatic ARVs which also release air, and 3- Combo ARVs which incorporate both
previous types into one single device.

ARVs are located on rising mains from the pump and in the peaks throughout most
systems. ARVs should be located at transition points in the hydraulic gradient;
especially before and after steep slopes in the distribution system.

Resources
Plast-o-matic Valves, Inc.
Crispin Valves
Universal Air Release Valves
Operator Training Handbook - AWWA

Assignment
Answer the following questions and either email, mail or fax your assignment to your
instructor.
1. What happens when free air is found in piping systems and fittings?
2. Why are ARV's used in a piping system?
3. ARV's from Crispin are designed for what use?
4. List problems caused by air in the lines.
5. List three basic types of air release valves.

Quiz
Answer the questions in Quiz 12 . When you have completed the quiz, print it out and
either mail or fax to the instructor. You may also take the quiz online and directly
submit it into the database for a grade.