Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations GregLocock on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Air release method on pump suction header

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mechlife

Mechanical
Aug 23, 2017
1
Hi all,

I'm designing a raw water pump station and am unsure on how to proceed with air release valves on the pump suction header.

My original plan was just to put the same, air release/vacuum breaking type air release valve used throughout the system. I have since realised that the suction pipe will potentially have lower than atmospheric pressure, but I do not want the valve opening under a vacuum and bringing air into the system.

My question is, would a simple ball valve to drain be sufficient for a pump suction header? As far as I can tell it will only need to vent on commisioning, or are non-vacuum breaking air release valves common for these applicaions? The valve supplier I had been in contact with does not have a non-vacuum breaking type which has made me second guess it.

Any advice here would be great, I'm new to the piping scene.
Cheers.
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you


There is a number of producers of air vent valves, and many with combinations and configurations that allow air venting only. Any good local supplier can give you advice on type, also pump suppliers.

Tips:
Inlet/outlet have to be decided on needed capacity. A rough calculation can be made by volume pr. minute and speed at say 30-40 m/s (conservative) average through air release valve. Supplier will advice and capacity charts are available.

For inlet by vacuum you can have inlet valves opening first at a given vacuum.

You should also check that the pipe system are strong enough for the vacuum intended.


 
What is you flow rate?
Have you looked at using an air separator?
 
Mechlife,
What is your suction source (Tank, River or other)?
Where is it located relative to the Pump?

Sometimes its possible to do all the right things and still get bad results
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor