Functions and Selection Guide of Air Valves in Irrigation Systems

During the operation of irrigation pipe networks, air will accumulate inside the pipelines: when the system is filled with water, if the air is not discharged in time, air blockage will form, which will reduce the water flow cross-section and lower the flow rate, and in severe cases, cause the system to fail to operate normally; when the pump is stopped and the pipeline is drained, negative pressure will be generated inside the pipeline, which may suck the pipeline flat and cause damage. The air valve is a special accessory designed to solve this problem. The functions of air valves include: first, automatically discharging the air inside the pipeline when the pipeline is filled with water to ensure smooth water delivery; second, continuously discharging trace gases precipitated from water during system operation; third, automatically sucking air when the pump is stopped or the pipeline is drained to prevent negative pressure from damaging pipelines and equipment. Selection Guide: Select appropriate specifications according to the installation position and pipe diameter. Generally, air valves are installed at high points of pipelines, pump station outlets, inlets and outlets of filter groups, and intermediate high points of long-distance pipelines; for systems with large main pipe diameters and large flow rates, large-diameter air valves or combined air valves shall be selected; for systems with high water hammer risk, quick air intake and exhaust valves shall be selected to ensure instantaneous air exhaust and suction capacity. The valve material shall be weather-resistant and corrosion-resistant with reliable sealing. During installation, the exhaust port shall face upward to keep the valve body vertical.