ARI D-060 Self Contained Direct Bury Air Valve With Non-Slam Protection

AIR SLAM IN A PIPELINE

The final release of air through an air valve produces a pressure surge. This phenomenon, called “air slam”, is caused by the rapid deceleration of liquid in a pipeline at the instant the air is fully expelled from the line.

Air slam produces a pressure surge similar to the one produced by the rapid deceleration caused by a valve closure.

If air is released too quickly from the line, excessive air slam pressure surge can occur. Proper sizing and placement of air release valves is necessary to avoid excessive air slam pressure surges. If air slam is a risk, choose an air valve with a non-slam device to reduce the surge impact within the pipeline, extend the pipe’s service life and lower the chance of a water main break.

NEW HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE IN PEACE RIVER, ALBERTA

A new high pressure water line is transferring water in Alberta’s Peace River region. A typical air valve would not be able to handle the pressure and surge within this pipeline. The design engineer worked with Martech and ARI to developed a workable solution for this pipeline with the new D-060-C-HFNS-03-SB air valve.

This air valve is designed to handle high pressures, high flow and it is also designed with non-slam protection for to reduce the effect of air slam pressure surge.

The direct bury air valve kit reduced the manhole barrel height for easier maintenance.

One other interesting note: we also used EJ ERGO locking manhole frame & cover for this project. This will improve safety and prevent intrusion!

ASK MARTECH FOR NON-SLAM AIR VALVES for HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINES

ARI is represented in Canada by Martech.  Send a request to Martech for more information about ARI’s innovative, reliable air valve products. Thank you for your interest!

Wastewater Air Valves In Northern Alberta

AIR VALVE UPGRADE ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PIPELINE

The Lac La Biche utilities department had pipeline efficiency problems in several sections of their wastewater collection and treatment system. These lines were operating at reduced capacity due to accumulated air and gas inside the pipes, forcing lift station pumps to work harder to achieve minimum flow rates.

Watch this YouTube video to see how air affects pipe capacity and pump load.

Installing combination air release valves on these pipelines was the correct course of action. The utility selected the A.R.I. D-020 Combination Air Valve for Wastewater. They installed the valves onto the pipe using a tapping sleeve (to add a flanged opening into the pipe) and isolation valve (to close the hole in the pipe during air valve maintenance).

This is a common installation method in Canada to add A.R.I. air valves to an existing pipeline.

Start of installation: tapping sleeve installed on pipe.

Tapping sleeve is installed and ready for isolation valve and air valve to be bolted on.

A.R.I. D-020 air valve (green) and isolation valve ready to be lowered into manhole chamber.

Air valve being lowered into manhole with rope.

Air valve being lowered into manhole with rope.

A.R.I. designs and manufacturers air valves that work reliably to ensure the efficiency of water supply and wastewater disposal systems in both urban and rural environments. Use ARI air valves in your next water pipeline or pump station project.

A.R.I. is represented in Canada by Martech. Use the “LEARN MORE” form on this page to ask Martech for air valve selection and placement advise. We will connect with you and help determine which air valve will fit with your design.

HOW DOES THE D020 AIR VALVE ACTION WORK?

The D-020 Combination Air Valve combines an air & vacuum orifice and an air release orifice in a single body. The valve is specially designed to operate with liquids carrying solid particles such as wastewater and effluents.

1) The D020 combination air valve discharges air when the pipeline is filling and releases accumulated gasses while the line is under pressure and operating.

2) Filled pipeline raises float and closes air release mechanism.

3) Valve float lowers to admit air into draining pipeline.

4) The valve’s sealing mechanism never comes into contact with dirt and debris borne by the water. This reliable design prevents damage in the valve and ensures long-term operation.

USE MARTECH FOR AIR VALVE ANSWERS

ARI is represented in Canada by Martech. Our infrastructure team is very experienced in pipeline design and air valve selection, placement and installation.

We want you to have a successful project! Contact Martech for air valve selection and placement advise. We will connect with you and help determine which air valve will fit with your design.

Designing High Pressure Water Lines With Air Valves And Pipe Couplings

Calgary engineers designing a high pressure water line to service the rapidly expanding city of Airdrie used TPS Hymax pipe couplings and ARI D060 air valves to solve important problems in the pipeline design.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ON THIS HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE:

• Air release/vacuum valves that can handle the 160 psi (11 bar) operating pressure on this 24″ diameter pipeline
• Couplings that can also handle that high pressure 160 psi flow
• Engineering consideration: couplings need to accommodate deflection in the pipe over the life of the pipeline
• Contractor consideration: air valves and couplings that are easy to install (save labour time)

Photo: TPS Hymax HYCO24 pipe coupling installed on new Airdrie high pressure water line.

WHICH PIPE COUPLINGS TO USE ON A 24″ HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE?

The TPS Hymax HYCO24 pipe coupling is installed with 4 bolts by two people in about 45 minutes. This means the 4-bolt Hymax large-diameter coupling can be installed 90 minutes faster than its 12-bolt competitor.

The Hymax coupling satisfied both the engineer’s and contractor’s demands. The couplings are installed easily and quickly in a trench that doesn’t need to be as deep as the competitor’s 12 bolt version. The labour savings realized during the installation of the Hymax pipe couplings saved money for the contractor and the municipality.

The compression seal design in the Hymax pipe couplings allow up to 8° of deflection in the pipe (4° at each end of the coupling). As the heavy concrete chamber settles over time, the deflection allowance from the coupling means that the pipe won’t crack or rupture from stress at the coupling.

Photo: ARI D060 air release vacuum combination valve being installed with the new high pressure water line.

WHICH AIR VALVES TO USE ON A HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE?

ARI’s D060 high flow combination release/vacuum air valve was selected for this potable water pipeline. The air release function of the valve automatically releases pockets of air from the pipeline when it is full and operating under pressure. The vacuum component allows large volumes of air to flow in and out of the pipe during the filling or draining operations. This valve will open to relieve negative pressures if water column separation occurs.

USE MARTECH FOR PIPELINE DESIGN ANSWERS

Martech represents both ARI and TPS in Canada. We want your pipeline construction projects to be successful. If you are designing a new water line, please contact us.  

Kypipe Adds Dynamic ARI Air Valves To Their Pipe2012 Design Software

AIR RELEASE VALVES FOR PIPELINE FLOW PERFORMANCE

KYPipe has been developing and supporting pipe system hydraulic flow analysis software for over 40 years. PIPE2012 is the most widely used pipe system hydraulic flow analysis software in the world. The strength and flexibility of PIPE2012 has made KYPipe an industry leader and the sophisticated algorithms used to analyze Steady State, Surge, Gas and Steam systems have been endorsed by leading experts in this field.

KYPipe has recognized the value of ARI’s Dynamic Air Valve to effectively prevent surge conditions in a pipeline. The ARI D070 air valve is now modeled within the KYPipe software for designers to use in their pipeline systems.

ARI is an innovative designer and manufacturer of pipeline air management products being used by municipalities and industries around the world. ARI would like to thank KYPipe for their endorsement!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARI AIR VALVES

ARI is represented in Canada by Martech. If you would like a demonstration of how ARI’s air valves manage the air in a pipeline, please send an inquiry to the Martech’s technical sales team.

ARI D-040 Air Valves Release Air From Water Pipes In Small Town Saskatchewan

PROBLEMS FOR SMALL TOWN UTILITIES OPERATORS

What do you get with air in your pipes?

• Low flow rates
• Pumps have to work harder
• Danger of pipe collapse due to negative pressure during drain cycles
• Increased rate of corrosion inside pipes due to more oxygen in the line
• Sporadic expulsions of air from household faucets

I recently visited a small town in Saskatchewan with air in its water pipes. The Water & Sewer Operator told me his big clunky cast iron air valves weren’t working – air wasn’t able to leave (or enter) the water system because the valves weren’t performing like they were supposed to. He asked for help in finding a valve that would perform correctly.

I showed them the ARI D-040 combination air release / vacuum valve. Plastic, lightweight, modern and simple to install and maintain. The Waterworks Operator was very intrigued.

SWITCHING TO ARI’S PROVEN AIR VALVE SOLUTION

The day after I left, he ordered two D-040 ARI air valves from his local distributor to try on his distribution pumps. After installing his two valves, he got instant results. He was so impressed at the ease of installation and the immediate results that he went back to the distributor and ordered six more D-040 air valves to replace all the defective valves currently installed in their water distribution pumphouse.

Original air valves gave awful performance. These cast iron valves have been uninstalled and are ready for scrap.

When I visited a couple of weeks later to ask how things were going with the new ARI air valves, he told me he could not be happier. The D-040 air valves were easy to install and were performing perfectly, something he was not used to.

Before, he had to bang on air valves with a hammer to loosen up the internal mechanical valve components enough to give minimal performance. (You can see some hammer marks on the old valves.) He stated that residents in the town were getting air coming out of their kitchen taps as a result of the air valves not working properly.

RESULTS – WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

Now he says he can hear the valves working when he is in the pumphouse. He has installed four new ARI D-040 valves on his distribution pumps and one D-040 each on the transfer pump, filter unit, back wash pump and on the pre-filter. Flow rates have improved and the “air coming out of the kitchen taps” problem has gone.

ARI D-040 combination air release / vacuum valve installed after water distribution pump in Saskatchewan.

Second D-040 air valve installed in small town Saskatchewan pumphouse.

SEE THE PROJECT DETAILS AND THIS FOREMAN’S TESTIMONIAL

To see high resolution photos of this installation and a testimonial from the town’s Waterworks Operator, contact a Martech representative and we will forward the project details to you within one business day.

Snow Storage Site Uses A.R.I. Air Valves On Water Drainage Pipeline

Combination air release/vacuum valves release air from the line when filling and allowing air to reenter the line when draining.

In the spring of each year, melting water from Edmonton’s snow storage and melting sites flows into pipelines that drain to the North Saskatchewan River. Installing air valves on these pipelines is necessary for optimal flow and efficient pump operation.

Managing the flow of water from Edmonton’s new northeast snow storage site was a problem that design engineers and project managers knew how to handle.  The 12 km pipeline from the snow storage site to the nearest storm drainage main required air release/vacuum valves to function properly. They specified the ARI’s modern D-020 air valve for the pipeline.

Older pipeline designs specified a “long body” air valve traditionally used with potable water, not raw water or wastewater. The long body air valves were being rendered inoperable by dirt and grime floating in the melting snow water. The non-functioning long body air valves were allowing air to be trapped in the pipeline which slowed the flow of water. Not good!

VIDEO: SEE THE AFFECT OF AN OPERATING AIR VALVE HAS ON PIPELINE WATER FLOW

Traditional “long body” air valve compared with modern ARI D020 air valve

The long body shape does not provide much room between the float and valve walls, making it very easy for dirt and grime to render the float immobile. ARI’s family of air valves for wastewater solve this problem by using a bell-shaped conical design to keep the float away from the sides of the valve wall.

TRADITIONAL AIR VALVE (left): Long body shape does not provide clearance between the float and valve walls, making it very easy for dirt and grime to render the float immobile. The top ball-plug and bottom ball float are connected by a rigid stick, which increases the probability of eventual damage to the port and seal when the ball is repeatedly smashed up during turbulent operation. ARI D020 AIR VALVE (right): specially designed to operate with liquids carrying solid particles such as wastewater and effluent. The bell-body shape provides extra room to prevent the ball float from becoming clogged and the sloped wall also prevents the grease from clinging to the wall. The top seal and bottom ball float are connected by a spring, which eliminates the chance of damage from turbulence.

Traditional “long body” design leads to service and performance issues

In a turbulence situation, any movement of the traditional air valve’s float causes an equal movement of the ball-plug. As turbulence bounces the float, the ball-plug bounces too. As the plug bounces, more and more air escapes, dwindling the air pocket. In the turbulence within the air valve, dirt is splashed up to the sealing mechanism and orifice seal, causing leakage and damages.

Learn more about how ARI’s innovation offers reliability and long-term performance

ARI air valves are a highly reliable solution for drinking water, raw water and waste water. The design engineers and Roadways Maintenance team selected the ARI D020 air valve for its reliability and long term performance capabilities.

For a detailed profile of this project (including 17 high quality photos showing the installation of one of the D-020 self-contained, direct-bury air valves), please contact us for more information.

New A.R.I. Air Valve Design For Shale Gas Extraction Frac Water Lines

Shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale rock formations deep underground.  Part of the gas extraction process is the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of the shale rock.  The water/sand/chemical mixture used to fracture the shale is so corrosive, it can deteriorate stainless steel.

Keeping the inflow and outflow lines functional and safe is a primary concern when a fracking operation is underway. Engineers designing shale gas extraction sites need to ensure that the line performs optimally while reducing the chance of environmental issues. With the risk of corrosive fluid deteriorating air valves, how can an engineer size and locate air valves on inflow water and outflow frac water lines?

ARI D023 air release valve on shale gas frac water lines

After consulting with shale gas extraction design engineers, ARI and Martech have developed a high pressure industrial air release valve using Duplex Stainless Steel that is designed to function in this corrosive environment.

ARI’s avCad software has been updated to support the engineer’s use of this new air valve.  To ensure the line achieves optimal performance, project engineers use the ARI avCad design program to determine where air release valves should be placed on the line and which model and size valve will work best.

Thanks to Martech and ARI, engineers now have a functioning solution to manage the flow of corrosive liquids. Contact your Martech Infrastructure Sales Representative and ask where ARI air release valves, ARI avCad software and your Martech technical representative can support your pipeline projects.

Download:

ARI D023 Duplex ASTM industrial air valve specifications (PDF)

Water Project Saves $1.7M By Installing Air Valves Without Manholes

Manholes have high construction costs and maintenance costs. The typical traditional manhole for an air valve costs around $15,000 each.  Maintenance in this manhole will requires confined space entry, which necessitates a 3-person crew and a service truck costing $500 to 1000 per maintenance trip.

In a new water supply pipeline project in 2011, a municipality in Central Alberta saved the cost of building and maintaining a manhole for every single air valve. They used the ARI D-090 direct-bury self-contained air valve kits to install air valves on the line without manholes.

Total cost savings:

Using the ARI D-090 direct-bury self-contained air valve removes the need for a manhole chamber.  The compact and lightweight air valve design saves time and installation costs for the contractors: the initial cost of a D-090 (including installation) is about $8000. We saved capital costs for the owner and engineers, lowered the installation costs for contractors, and drastically reduced maintenance costs for the pipeline operators.

Total savings: $7000 x 100 air valves = $700,000 in two years for Alberta Central East (ACE) projects. In 2011, we saved more than half million dollars in project capital costs for Urban System and the ACE. Our people met and trained the contractors to make the installation easier and faster. The savings in each air valve maintenance trip is more than $500 (no confined space access costs!). The total maintenance cost saving is $500 x 100 air valves x 20 years = $1,000,000 (and this is based on a conservative estimate).

Using the ARI D-090 air valves is saving this Alberta municipality more than $1.7 million in capital and maintenance costs.

Air Valve Training For Epcor From A.R.I. Manager

Martech’s Derek Traquair brought ARI Air Valve’s Joel Sheinfeld from Israel to Strathmore to review the air release valves used on the East Calgary Regional Water Line and the Strathmore Water and Sewer System.

Jason Dastou, Epcor site manager, was appreciative for the training visit. They covered maintenance of the ARI D-060 and other ARI air release valves in the Epcor Strathmore system during Joel’s visit.

“The guys had positive remarks on the meeting [with Joel],” writes Jason. “Two of our three team members are relatively new to the industry with only a couple years experience, so this gave them more confidence with the products they’re responsible for. I am sure other Epcor sites would find the same value.”

ARI D-023 combination air-release and vacuum air valve on wastewater transfer line in Alberta.

Martech is Canada’s master distributor of ARI air release and combination air valves. Municipalities and water service utilities use air valves on their pipelines to add or release air to the flow in the pipe. Having the right amount of air in the line prevents collapse, air-blocked lines and leaking.

As ARI Air Valve’s North American Sales Manager, Joel travels extensively to conduct training seminars and sales meetings for cities, contractors, distributors and end users. Thank you Joel for making Calgary and Strathmore a priority this season!

A.R.I. Air Valves Saves Waterworks Time And Money In City Of Airdrie

Based on a track record of delivering on performance promises, A.R.I. combination air valves were once again specified for a new sewer forcemain by the City of Airdrie, Alberta.

A forcemain is a pressurized main pipe that can carry water or sewage. To achieve optimal performance from these critical pipelines, city infrastructure departments use air release and combination air valves on their forcemains.

The Airdrie Public Works Department first learned of A.R.I. air valves in 2003 when they were looking to replace the traditional combination air valves on the 350 mm 200 PSI water line connecting them to Calgary, several kilometers away. The existing 50 mm diameter air valves were corroded and cumbersome to work with in the chamber.

Local representatives at Martech introduced Dave Johnson and his crew to the advantages of the superior solution offered by the A.R.I. D-040 combination air valve. The A.R.I. air valve is NSF61 certified, 1/10th the weight of the existing valve, has a five year warranty and expels 4 times as much operational air. These features topped with a competitive price piqued Mr. Johnson’s interest and nine D-040 air valves were installed. To date, the A.R.I. air release valves have worked flawlessly in unheated insulated chambers when surface temperatures have dipped to -37°C.

This experience prompted the city to install A.R.I. air valves on the existing sewage forcemain to Calgary. A.R.I. model D-025 combination sewage air valves were selected for the existing 600 mm diameter forcemain. Although some of the valves were exposed to some grease plugging, as all air valves are, city crews found the light weight and ease of flushing to be a significant improvement over the original products. Although cleaning the A.R.I. air valves was easy to do on site, the city was quick to adopt A.R.I.’s suggestion to back-flush the air valves into the forcemain from surface with hot water. This modification was environmentally sound, simplified cleaning procedures, successfully minimized the need for confined space access and reduced costs.

In 2004, the city retained BSEI Engineering to design a new twin 600 mm diameter forcemain to handle Airdrie’s explosive growth (population 30,000 and still growing fast). BSEI engineers and the city maintenance team worked together closely to take full advantage of the experience with A.R.I. air release valves. The new chambers employ A.R.I. D-020 stainless steel air valves. The exhaust from each air valve is hard piped to the surface for venting and for remote attachment of back flush equipment. Isolating valves can also be operated from the surface. Once again, the A.R.I. air valves minimize or eliminate expensive confined space access! The new forcemain will be commissioned in the next few months, once the pump station is completed.

A.R.I. and Martech appreciate the innovative spirit and cooperation extended to us by the City of Airdrie Public Works Deptartment and BSEI Engineering.

Manufacturers Perspective Comments from ARI Air Valves about Martech

Joel Sheinfeld and Noa Sheinfeld from ARI Air Valves give their perspective on Martech’s business and sales results:

Martech is a professional contracted sales company. Our job is to drive sales and create advantage for our customers. Joel and Noa recorded this message to recognize the value Martech has delivered to their manufacturing company and to our local customers and partners in our Canadian territory.

Martech is searching for new manufacturers to drive strategic sales with in Canada. Please use the “Request Info” form on the right side of the page to start a conversation with us about your sales needs.