Air Release Valve Manufacturer
Air release valve (ARV) is a type of valve used in pipeline systems to automatically release air that gets trapped in the system as it operates.It helps prevent air pockets, which can cause flow restrictions, pressure surges, and potential damage to the pipeline.
Judberd is air release valve manufacturer in china with 30 years experience, judberd can offer air release valve for water line as below
Judberd Design
We take one as example ,if you need to know more about all our air release valve design feature, welcome you contact us
1, as in Figure 1, we have a directional exhaust design for the air release valve, this position can be connected to pipe, the discharge of gas and water can be guide to a pool or specified place ,if you don’t need to connect pipe,it also can be connected to the mesh filter (Figure 7) to prevent harmful objects into the pipe, such as snakes, mosquitoes, etc.
2, as in Figure 2, you can remove the small ball (Figure 6), and install more sensitive brass fast air release valve, once there is gas to discharge, dynamic exhaust, very sensitive, do not have to wait for the accumulation of gas to a certain amount to open the exhaust port for exhaust
3, as in Figure 3, here we designed three layers seal, when the ball is topped by the gas, can be quickly sealed, only a very small amount of water discharge
4, as in Figure 4, no plastic guide barrel design, the floating ball will not be stuck due to impurities in the water, and thus fail. So this air release valve is also suitable for sewage with a small amount of impurities
5, as in Figure 8, here we can drill the threads according to clients requirements and plug them with stainless steel plugs, customers can remove the plugs here themselves according to their needs and install the water pressure gauge.
Materials and Specifications
Body Material:Ductile Iron (Common for water applications), Stainless Steel (For corrosive environments), Plastic (PVC, PP) (For lightweight, low-pressure applications)
Pressure Ratings: Typically PN10, PN16, PN25, or higher depending on the system.
Connection Types:Threaded (BSP, NPT) for small valves
Flanged (ANSI, DIN, BS, JIS) for larger applications
Working Principle
Take combination Air Valve (Dual Function) that combines both air release and air & vacuum functions, providing complete air control as example.
The air release valve is designed to automatically complete the exhaust intake according to the amount of gas in the pipe and the pressure level in the pipe, thus ensuring that the pipe is under normal pressure and preventing water hammer and rupture of the pipe.
Judberd air release valve have two balls one large and one small, one high and one low center of gravity, the pump began to work, the water pressure began to rise, with the rise of water pressure, the gas in the pipe will be discharged through the large vent, and so on gas discharge, the water pressure will firstly jack up the large ball, the large exhaust port to seal, and the pipeline trace gas through the small ball to discharge, and so on the pipeline only a small amount of gas is not enough to open the large ball The gas will be discharged through the exhaust port of the small ball when the gas reaches a sufficient amount, the exhaust port of the small ball opens and the gas is discharged, after the gas is discharged, the water pressure will jack up the small ball to close the exhaust port, if the pipe produces a large mass of gas which pressure is enough to make the big ball fall, then the big ball will fall for exhaust, and after the gas is discharged, the water pressure will jack up the big ball for sealing, When the pump stops working, Drainage is greater than water supply, the pipe generates negative pressure, the big ball falls off, and the big mass of gas enters quickly. Thus, the negative pressure in the pipe is prevented, and the negative pressure is very damaging to the pipe.Some low strength pipes, such as PE pipes, will be deflated due to negative pressure.
Types of Air Release Valves
Air Release Valve (Small Orifice） Releases small amounts of air during normal pipeline operation.
Air & Vacuum Valve (Large Orifice) Allows large volumes of air to enter or exit the pipeline during filling or draining.
Combination Air Valve (Dual Function) Combines both air release and air & vacuum functions, providing complete air control.
Function of Air Release Valves
Prevents Air Blockages: Ensures efficient flow and maintains system performance.
Reduces Pressure Surges: Protects the pipeline from water hammer effects.
Prevents Corrosion: Reduces oxygen levels that can lead to pipe deterioration.
Enhances Energy Efficiency: Eliminates extra pumping energy caused by air.
USE
Air release valve are widely used in Water supply pipelines, Wastewater and sewage systems, Irrigation networks, Industrial fluid transport systems,Hydroelectric and cooling systems. They should be installed at high points or critical locations in the pipeline. Air release valve requires periodic inspection and cleaning to ensure smooth operation.Some advanced models include anti-surge or anti-hammer features for additional protection.
Air Release Valve Size and Their Function
Normally air release valve include single orifice air release valve, and double orifice air release valve, single orifice air release valve include thread ends type and flange ends type.Double orifice air release valve with flange ends.
Small orifice air release valve means valve size from DN15-50 with orifice 2mm dia,the admission and discharge of air chart is as below
Large orifice air release valve and double orifice air release valve means valves size is larger or equal to DN50, the admission and discharge of air chart is as below
The Correlation Between Pipe Size and Air Release Valve Size
For Large and Double Orifice Air Release Valve,The dimensions of the air release valves correspond to the pipe dimensions as below
| Valve size | * recommended maximum pipeline diameter |
|---|---|
| DN50 | DN400 |
| DN80 | DN600 |
| DN100 | DN900 |
| DN150 | DN1000 |
| DN200 | DN1600 |
| DN250 | DN2000 |
Installation
Air release valve is usually installed at the highest point of the pipe or at a bend, normally it is a branch from the main pipeline as below photo.A tee, saddle clamp or tapping sleeve can be used to split a branch from the main pipeline.After the tee, saddle clamp or tapping sleeve, there should be installed a shut-off valve, the shut off valve can be a gate valve, butterfly valve or ball valve ,finally is the air release valve.Air release valve can be connected by thread ends or flange ends.
This picture is from google for show purpose only, not for commercial purpose
Common Issues, Causes, and Solutions for Air Release Valves
- Air Release Valve Does Not Vent or Vents Poorly
Causes:
Blockage inside the valve due to sediment, rust, or debris.
Float is stuck, preventing proper movement.
Orifice is too small, making it difficult for air to escape.
Solutions:
Regularly clean the valve interior to prevent clogging.
Use a larger orifice air release valve to improve air discharge.
Select a self-cleaning or anti-clogging design with a built-in filter. - Water Leakage from the Air Release Valve
Causes:
Worn-out or damaged sealing gasket, leading to poor sealing.
Damaged or deformed float, preventing proper closure.
Water hammer impact, causing damage to the sealing surface.
Solutions:
Replace the gasket and check sealing components regularly.
Use a high-quality float material to prevent deformation over time.
Install surge protection devices to minimize water hammer effects. - Slow Air Intake and Exhaust
Causes:
The orifice or inlet size is too small, restricting air movement.
The valve is installed incorrectly, preventing efficient air discharge.
Solutions:
Choose an appropriately sized air release valve based on pipeline capacity.
Install the valve at high points or air accumulation areas for optimal performance. - Excessive Noise During Operation
Causes:
High-speed airflow passing through the valve creates noise.
Valve vibrations cause mechanical noise.
Solutions:
Use an air release valve with a noise-reducing design or a silencer.
Secure the valve properly to eliminate vibrations. - Valve Body Cracks or Breaks
Causes:
Exceeding pressure rating, causing structural failure.
Extreme temperature changes, leading to material fatigue.
Physical damage from external impact or improper installation.
Solutions:
Ensure the valve matches the correct pressure rating (e.g., PN10, PN16, PN25).
Use temperature-resistant materials for extreme environments.
Protect the valve from physical damage with a protective cover or proper placement. - Frequent Air Discharge Causing System Instability
Causes:
Excessive air entering the pipeline, possibly due to leaks or dissolved gases.
Improper installation, leading to unnecessary venting.
Solutions:
Inspect for pipeline leaks and repair any damaged sections.
Use de-aeration devices or treat water to reduce dissolved air.
Install the valve at optimal positions to prevent unnecessary air discharge.
Conclusion
Air release valves play a crucial role in removing trapped air, preventing air blockages, and reducing water hammer. Most common issues are related to installation, maintenance, or incorrect selection. By choosing the right valve, ensuring proper installation, and performing regular maintenance, system efficiency and valve lifespan can be significantly improved.
RFQ
What is Automatic Air Release Valve?
During the working process of the Air Release Valve, it is the pressure of the gas that controls the opening and closing of the air release valve, without manual operation. This is why air release valves are also called automatic air release valves.
Do air release valves leak water?
When the air release valve exhausts from the exhaust hole, it will leak water. The amount of leak water depends on the sealing performance of the air release valve. If the sealing performance is good, the leak water will be less, and if the sealing performance is not good, the leak water will be more. After the exhaust is completed and the ball is lifted and sealed by water pressure, the air release valve should not leak water. If it still leak water, then means the air release valve fails.
