Air Release Valves are predominantly found within water irrigation systems and sewage pipelines. Often located at the highest point of the pipeline, it allows unwanted air to be released effortlessly while minimising the risk of random water surges from occurring.
Let’s look at the importance of air release valves and how they ensure an efficient and safe air control system in underground networks.

General Overview of Air Release Valves

If there is too much pressure within a pipeline, it can cause the whole system to collapse – which is not a good situation to be in. One of its main functions is to protect and maintain the efficiency of the piping to ensure it doesn’t fill up with massive volumes of air. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to use a correctly sized air release valve to avoid any negative pressure from building up inside the air control system.

At Ventomat, we use a range of air release valves including RBX Water, RGX Sewer, RBXp Salt Water Nylon Body and Ventomat RBXc for use in a variety of different applications. The original “Anti-Shock” & “Anti-Surge” air release and vacuum break valves are ideal for water, sewage, slurry, tailings and effluent pipelines. This allows for effective air release vacuum protection and surge alleviation, delivering the first integral anti-shock air release valve for surge control.

What components make up an air release valve?

- VALVE BODY

The main function of the valve body is to ensure the inlet doesn’t contain float guides, therefore allowing the butterfly valves to operate efficiently under the air valve without it affecting its overall performance. If the valve requires any form of testing or draining, the tamper proof drain inside the body of the valve allows the technician to drain it safely with minimal issues.

- INNER FLOATS

Made from durable polypropylene, this ensures it doesn’t ever change shape when confronted with pressure. The valve body features four guide ribs where the inner float sits and is kept square and stable, ensuring minimal movement to either side of the valve.

Some other features of the float include:
- Large Orifice Float: Allows air to flow freely during drainage & filling operation.
- Small Orifice Float: When the pipe is full, the air valve releases trapped air through the small orifice float.
- Upper Seat: This is where the ‘O’ rings are situated between the seat and the float, keeping the seal intact.
- RFP Upper Float: This prevents water hammer by filling the pipe at a controlled rate.
- Mesh Cover: Prevents external parasites, bugs and rodents from entering into the valve pit and contaminating it.

At the Cutting-Edge of Air Valve Design Technology

Ventomat are leaders in air release valve technology. With intensive research, innovative design and an understanding of water market needs - we have produced a line of industry-leading Vent-O-Mat air release valves that can be used across diverse applications within the irrigation and pipeline industries.
For the first time, an effective and efficient air valve exists that successfully assists in the elimination of surge and water hammer as a standard and automatic function.

For more information on our latest air valve systems, please call our team on (02) 8814 9699 or email sales@ventomat.com.au with your enquiry and we’ll get back to you shortly.