In almost every water heating system, sooner or later, the formation of gas accumulations in the pipes begins, which entails improper operation and circulation of the coolant. In such a system there is increased noise and vibration. Moreover, if a circulation pump is installed in the boiler , the ingress of gaseous substances into it can significantly reduce its service life. Together, all this can lead to a complete failure of the heating system and a halt to normal circulation. In order to prevent this, special automatic air vents are used in the construction of such systems. They take away the excess air formed in the pipes outside, and at the same time do not allow water to leak out. Thus, the device of these devices is built on the principle of a valve.
Device
By its design, the automatic air vent (including Flexvent) is a float-valve type mechanism that consists of a brass body. A special float with a spool is placed inside this tool. The latter is connected to the exhaust valve in an articulated manner. At the same time, locking caps, acting as fuses, prevent unauthorized leakage of water in case of failure of the entire device. Automatic air vents optimally perform their functions at temperatures from -10 to +120 degrees Celsius. And since it is precisely during the boiling of water that gaseous substances are formed in the system, this temperature does not harm the exhaust device, which effectively removes air from the pipes to the outside.
Automatic air vents: principle of operation
The algorithm of this mechanism is as follows. When there is no air in the pipe, the air vent float is in the upper position, while preventing the valve from opening (otherwise water will leak from the device). The float itself is made of lightweight polymeric material, therefore, when gas accumulates in the system, it gradually lowers, collecting air inside it, and at the same time the valve opens. After the necessary amount of air has been removed from the system, the device rises back to the upper position, and the exhaust closes the hole through which the gas passed.
Installation
An automatic angled air vent is most often installed in an upright position at the highest points. It is with this arrangement that the largest amount of air enters the device (and, as we know, gas is lighter than water, and therefore it tends to disappear upward). Once at the peak point, automatic air vents begin to act and remove excess accumulation from the system in full. Such mechanisms are mounted on almost all industrial heating systems, heating devices and boilers. However, it is worth noting that its presence is not a prerequisite for laying the heating system.