AIR VALVESA.R.I. by Aquestia air valves in pipeline systems serve two primary functions. The first is the release of accumulated air that comes out of solution within a pressurized pipeline. This air will result in bubble formation, which will gather at localized high points along the pipeline profile. This air accumulation will occur when the bubble’s buoyancy is greater than the energy to convey the bubble with the liquid. The A.R.I. air valve used to release this free air is known as an air release valve.

VacuumReliefValve

If lock-up is not achieved and the downstream pressure continues to build, the additional safety built into the regulator is the internal relief. An additional spring typically located inside the main spring allows a passage to open when pressure exceeds its set point, which is greater than the maximum lock-up.

Water, Air Valves: combination air valves, kinetic air/vacuum valves and automatic air releases valve for water supply and waste-water.

VacuumisolationValve

The SEGEV S-050 and S-050 B air release valve body made of high quality plastic, (plastic or optional BRASS base) all other mechanical parts are made of corrosion resistant materials.Possible One Way (out) No Vacuum,  optional add on. Pressure range: min 0.2 max. 16 Bar. [3 to 250 PSI] Pressure range for the S-052 : min 0.2 max. 25 Bar. [3 to 360 PSI]

The above are requirements to build a regulator. This does not change the fact that the maximum inlet pressure on an appliance is 14 in. W.C., which underlies the requirement that a lock-up should not exceed 14 in. W.C.

UL 144 also provides the manufacturer with the set points on the internal relief, which for the same regulator referenced above is a minimum of 170 percent (18.7 in. W.C.) and a maximum of 300 percent (1.19 psig) of the outlet pressure settings. If the regulator cannot reach lock-up, once the pressure builds, the internal relief will activate, allowing the excess pressure to vent through the regulator vent. This protects the downstream system from being over-pressurized.

Today, many appliances are equipped with electronic ignition, so there is no flow of propane like you would have in a standing pilot light appliance. Appliances with a pilot light would constantly burn a small amount of propane, so the regulator would not lock up. With non-pilot light appliances, the regulator must lock up every time the appliances shut off to ensure there is no flow of propane. This is critical to its operation and overall system safety.

Vacuumshut-offvalve

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) offers education on regulator operation, including propane regulator lock-up, through its Learning Center.

The DT-040 LP Combination Air Valve is designed to prevent disturbances caused by presence or absence of air in small water supply systems. The combination air valve combines an air & vacuum large orifice and an automatic small orifice in one single body.

The second function of an air valve is to admit air into the system when the internal pressure of the pipeline drops below atmospheric pressures. By admitting air into the pipeline as the internal vacuum condition develops, the magnitude of the vacuum pressure can be reduced and as a result help prevent the pipeline from experiencing excessive deflection and/or collapse as well as help prevent the formation of a full vacuum condition in which vapor cavities may form from the fluid vaporizing. The A.R.I. air valve used in this situation is an A.R.I. air & vacuum valve. The A.R.I. air & vacuum valve is also used to discharge large volumes of air from the pipeline system when the pipeline is initially filled and after water column separation.

The example I use here is a second-stage regulator with an inlet pressure of 10 psig and an outlet pressure setting of 11 in. water column (W.C.). Its lock-up pressure limit is 120 percent (13.2 in. W.C.), with a maximum inlet pressure of 15 psig and a maximum lock-up pressure of 160 percent (17.6 in. W.C.).

Pressure VacuumReliefValvefor storage tank

S-50 Irrigation water air valve available in sizes:1/2" (15mm) 3/4" (20mm), 1" (25mm) BSPT/NPT threaded S-050 Automatic Air release Valve Brochure ari valves

Vacuumrated checkvalve

DescriptionThe AV-10 Air & Vacuum Valve discharges air during the filling or charging of the system and admits air into the system during system drainage. AV-10 3/4" to AV-10 3"

One-Way & Non Slam for Ari Air Valves Technical Brochure Function #1 One-way In(Available in sizes 1/4", 3/8", 1½", 2", 3", 4")Function #2 One-way Out(Available in sizes 1/4", 3/8", 1½", 2", 3", 4")Function #3 Non-Slam (Three-stage Capacity Air Discharge)1½" NS Component.2", 3", 4" NS ComponentAt water column separation, drainage, pipe burst, sudden closureof the isolating valve, pump trip, etc., the check valve and air valveopen, allowing large volumes of air into the system. When thewater column returns, air is discharged through the small orifices(one orifice - 1½" model), at a rate determined by the orificeopening setting (set manually by the user). This way, air dischargeis controlled, greatly reducing the effects of slam.

What causes the pressure to be greater than the limit? The most common issue is debris between the orifice and the soft seat. This prevents the valve from fully closing, which does not allow the regulator to lock up. On new installations, it is common to find piping shavings, dirt, mill scale and even excess thread sealant in the regulator. Most regulators have a removable screen at the inlet of the regulator to prevent debris from passing into the regulator orifice and seat disc assembly.

This occurs when the demand for propane downstream stops. The pressure under the diaphragm builds, pushing up and compressing the main spring. The compression of the spring rotates the lever arm at the pivot point, pushing the seat against the orifice to stop the flow of propane.

AdjustableVacuumReliefValve

Product FeaturesAir & Vacuum air valve.Double function: Air & vacuum component discharges large volumes of air during filling of the system.Product technical leaflet

Vacuumcontrolvalve

The SEGEV S-050 and S-050 B air release valve body made of high quality plastic, (plastic or optional BRASS base) all other mechanical parts are made of corrosion resistant materials.Possible One Way (out) No Vacuum,  optional add on. Pressure range: min 0.2 max. 16 Bar. [3 to 230 PSI]

Function #3 Non-Slam (Three-stage Capacity Air Discharge)1½" NS Component.2", 3", 4" NS ComponentAt water column separation, drainage, pipe burst, sudden closureof the isolating valve, pump trip, etc., the check valve and air valveopen, allowing large volumes of air into the system. When thewater column returns, air is discharged through the small orifices(one orifice - 1½" model), at a rate determined by the orificeopening setting (set manually by the user). This way, air dischargeis controlled, greatly reducing the effects of slam.

In traditional regulators used in a residential propane system, lock-up is when the regulator orifice is completely closed off, and there is no flow of propane through the regulator.

PressureReliefValve

S-50 Irrigation water air valve available in sizes:1/2" (15mm) 3/4" (20mm), 1" (25mm) BSPT/NPT threaded S-050 Automatic Air release Valve Brochure ari valves  S-050 Automatic Air Valve IOM Installation Operation & Maintenance ari, by aquestia

Manufacturers must follow the UL Standard for Safety LP-Gas Regulators, UL 144, when producing a regulator. It provides the lock-up pressure limits based on the type of regulator, the initial inlet pressure, the initial outlet pressure setting, the lock-up pressure limit, the maximum inlet pressure and the lock-up pressure limit at maximum inlet pressure.

The D-040 series PN 16 Combination Air Valve has the features of both an air release valve and an air & vacuum valve. For the Long version  (9" = 23cm )  please choose the D-040-L PN16 Option (see more info below: **)*Triple function Air Valve: - Air release while filling pipe lines & components- Air release while draining pipe lines & components- Air release of dissolved air in water when temperature change.* Also air suction at any vacuum condition.The air release component is designed to automatically release small pockets of air to the atmosphere as they accumulate along a pipeline or piping system when it is full and operating under pressure. The air & vacuum component is designed to automatically discharge or admit large volumes of air during the filling or draining of  pipeline or piping system. This valve will open to relieve negative pressures whenever water column separation occurs. Working Pressure 16 Bar [230 PSI] Available models D-040 Combination Air Valve Brochure ARI Valves : Reinforced Nylon, Optional Stainless Steel & Brass bases.D-040L (L0NG) STANDARD MAX. PRESSURE 10 BAR PN10 - 145 P for special orders of PN16 please advise.** The D-040L Applications:- Small Suspended Solids- Builds an air gap that separates the liquids with suspended particles from the sealing mechanism.- Less water dripping for small clean rooms etc. D-040L (Long) Combination Air Valve IOM

NOTE: The opinions and viewpoints expressed herein are solely the author’s and should in no way be interpreted as those of LP Gas magazine or any of its staff members.

Service technicians test to ensure a regulator is locking up by measuring the pressure downstream of the regulator with a manometer or pressure gauge. The test is conducted by introducing propane flow to the system and closing the flow to all downstream appliances. The technician then monitors the testing equipment for the increase in pressure. Once it stops, it is referenced to ensure it has not gone above the acceptable limit. Many companies establish policies around this process and the limits.