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SERIES RBXc
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AIR RELEASE VALVES
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OWNER'S MANUAL
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SPECIFICATIONS AND
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OPERATION MANUAL
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 Contents
Operation 1-2

Attaching an Air Valve 3

Commissioning 4

Maintenance 5-13

Start up and trouble shooting 14

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Series RBXc
OPERATION DN 80 AND DN200
PRE NOTES:

1. VENTING OFA FILLING PIPELINE:

The operation of a kinetic air release valve is such that fast approaching water is almost instantaneously halted by
the valve's closure without the shock cushioning benefit of any retained air in the pipeline. Consequently a transient
pressure rise or shock of potentially damaging proportions can be generated in a pipeline system, even at normal
filling rates.
In addition to venting through the Large Orifice (1) when water approach velocities are sub critical, the Vent-O-Mat
series RBXc air release valves feature an automatic 'Anti-Shock' Orifice (8) device that serves to decelerate water
approaching at excessive speed, thereby limiting pressure rise to a maximum of 1.5 x rated working pressure of the
valve.
2. SURGE ALLEVIATION - PIPELINE PRESSURIZED:
In instances where a pipeline experiences water column separation due to pump stoppage, high shock pressures
can be generated when the separated water column rejoins.
The Vent-O-Mat series RBXc takes in air through the unobstructed large orifice when water column separation
occurs, but controls the discharge of air through the 'Anti-Shock' Orifice as the separated column commences to
rejoin. The rejoining impact velocity is thereby sufficiently reduced to prevent an unacceptably high surge pressure
in the system. In the same way the series RBXc valve prevents high surge pressures resulting from liquid
oscillation in a pipeline.
3. PRESSURIZED AIR RELEASE FROM A FULL PIPELINE:
Effective discharge by the valve of pressurized air depends on the existence of a 'CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP'
between the area of the Small Orifice (7) and the mass of Control Float (4), i.e. the mass of the float must be greater
than the force created by the working pressure acting on the orifice area. If the float is relatively too light or the orifice
area relatively too great, the float will be held against the orifice, even when not buoyed, and air discharge will not
be effected.
To ensure that the correct 'CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP' exists the requisite 'DROP TEST' described under TEST
SPECIFICATION on page 18 must be applied to any air release valve which is intended for discharge of
pressurized air.
4. OPERATION OF DN250, DN300 & DN400 MAY DIFFER FROM BELOW.

VENTING OF A FILLING PIPELINE (SUB CRITICAL WATER APPROACH VELOCITY)

1

6
2

4
5
3

Air enters Orifice (3), travels through the annular space between the cylindrical floats (4), (5), and (6) and the valve
Chamber Barrel (2) and discharges from the Large Orifice (1) into atmosphere

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Series RBXc
OPERATION DN80 and DN200
VENTING OF A FILLING PIPELINE (EXCESSIVE WATER APPROACH VELOCITY)
1

8
6

In reaction to increased air flow, Float (6) closes Large Oriface (1) and air is forced through the Anti Shock Oriface
(8) resulting in deceleration of the approaching water due to the resistance of rising air pressure in the valve.
Attention is drawn to Pre Note 1 and 2 on page 1.

PRESSURISED AIR RELEASE FROM A FULL PIPELINE

1

2 6
7
5

3
4

Subsequent to the filling of a pipeline, liquid enters the valve Barrel Chamber (2) and the Floats (4), (5) and (6) are
buoyed so that the Large Orifice (1) is closed by Float (6). The valve will then become internally pressurised. A
minimal working pressure of < 0.5 bar (7.3 psi) acting on the relatively large area of the Orifice (1) will lock Float
(6) into the closed position across the Large Orifice (1).
Disentrained airrises through the liquid and accumulates in the valve chamber. When the volume of air is sufficient
to displace the liquid, Float (4) will no longer be buoyant and will gravitate downwards thereby opening the Small
Orifice (7) and allowing accumulated air to be discharged into atmosphere. As air is discharged the liquid raises
the Float (4) and re-seals the Small Orifice (7) and prevents the escape of liquid.
Specific attention is drawn to pre note 3 on page 1.
VACUUM RELIEF (AIR INTAKE) OF A DRAINING PIPELINE
1

6
2

4
5
9 3

Simultaneous drainage of liquid from Valve Chamber (2) causes Floats (4), (5) and (6) to gravitate downwards into
the Baffle Plate (9), thereby allowing atmospheric air through the valve to rapidly displace draining liquid in the
pipeline and prevent potentially damaging internal negative pressure.

2
ATTACHING AN AIR VALVE TO A PIPELINE

Vent-O-Mat
Air Valve

Isolator

Pipeline
Connection

It is advisable in any air valve installation to fit the valve with an Isolator so that in the event of the
valve requiring maintenance it can be safely isolated from the pipeline.

Attach the Isolator to the pipeline connection

Attach the air valve to the Isolator.

Ensure that all connecting fasteners are tightened and attached correctly

3
 Commissioning the Air Valve

Open the Isolator valve

before filling and leave open
permanently

Before beginning to fill the Pipeline open the Isolating valve and make sure it is fully open
The valve must remain open at all times when the pipeline is functioning and should
Only Be isolated if maintenance is required.

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Maintenance

Step One : Isolate Air Valve

Step Two: Before removing the top flangeassembly ensure any excess pressure that
may be trapped within the Valve body is be safely released ensure that the main Isolator is
fully closed before doing this.

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Step Three: Loosen nuts and bolts.

Step Four: Remove Top flange assembly

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Step Five: Remove Floats from Valve Body

Step Six : Check that the internals of the valve body are free
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O’ring

Step Seven: Check the O’ring on the “Anti-Shock float

for damage replace with O’ring in spares kit if necessary.

Nozzle

Step Eight: Checks the nozzle and ensure it isn’t blocked or damaged if blocked clear with small wire
If damaged remove from float using a spanner and replace with Nozzle supplied in spares kit.

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Seat Retaining Plate

Step Nine: Checks the nozzle seat for damage if any damage is apparent replace with replacement seat
from Spares kit supplied by manufacturer. In order to replace the nozzle seat Remove the Nozzle Seat retaining
plate using a flat screwdriver to unscrew the screws and remove the Nozzle seat.
Screw back the nozzle seat retaining plate once the new seat is in place.

Step Ten: Replace lower float making sure that the lip on the
float touches the baffle plate at the bottom of the valve and the Nozzle seat is facing
upwards.

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Step Eleven: Replace the Upper float/ small orifice float Making sure Nozzle
Is facing down and the flat face is facing up.

Step Twelve: Replace the “Anti-Shock” Float ensuring that the O-ring faces downwards and
flat surface of the float faces upwards..

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o’ring

Step Thirteen: Check o’ring in top flange assembly for damage

and replace with O’ring from spares kit if necessary.

O Ring Seal

Step Fourteen: Check o’ring seal for damage and replace with
spare O’ring Seal provided in spares kit if necessary. Make Sure
that it is properly placed in the groove before fitting Top flange
assembly.
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Step Fifteen: Replace top flange assembly making sure not to

disrupt the O’ring groove.

Step Sixteen: replace nights and bolts nuts and bolts must be
cross tightened

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Step Seventeen: Open Isolating Valve.

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Pre Commissioning Checks
Check that isolator below the Air Valve is fully open before filling.

Sequenced Procedure for Start Up

Ensure that the Isolator is open and remains open throughout Start up and active operation
of the pipeline.

Should The Air valve be observed during commissioning it is recommended that the observers
maintain a distance from the air valve as air may be released at high volumes and under
pressure, The force of the air may cause dust or debris to be flung through the air.

The Air Valve will also emit a loud noise that may be uncomfortable to the ears if the valve is
in a enclosed Valve chamber ear protection in the form of Ear plugs or similar is recommended.

Fault Finding Guideline

For the Vent-O-Mat Valve a general sign of a problem is a valve leaking water.

Firstly this must not be confused with water that may come out of the valve as the valve builds
pressure before the sealing pressure is reached. It should also not be confused with vapour that
is blown out of the valve while it is discharging air.

A leaking valve is defined as a valve that when in the closed position constantly releases water.

If Valve is Leaking:
Check pressure at the valve, If the valve is not supplied with more then 50 KPA (5 m head) of
pressure it will leak.

If the valve is supplied with the adequate pressure and is still leaking, debris that may be in
the line from construction could be caught in the valve. Sometimes this is easily rectified by
isolating the valve bleeding off the pressure from the valve and allowing it to refill and again bleed
off water and refilling. If leaking stops no further action is required.

If leaking continues isolate the valve, ensure that the valve pressure has dissipated before
disassembly. Disassemble the valve. check that the small orifice hasn’t become blocked. This
can be accomplished simply by looking through the orifice. If the orifice is blocked clear using a
small piece of wire or similar. If the Small orifice cannot be cleared or has sustained damage from
contact with debris in will need to replaced with a orifice from the spares kit.

If the orifice is clear and undamaged check the Nozzle seat for damage if the Nozzle Seat is
damaged replace with Nozzle seat from spares kit.

If Nozzle seat is not damaged check O-rings for signs of damage replace any damaged O-rings
with Spares from Spares Kit.

Reassemble the valve making sure that the bottom float (largest float) has the nozzle seat facing
upward, the upper float (Nozzle/middle float) is placed in the valve with the nozzle facing
downward placed to make contact with the nozzle seat. Place the“Anti-Shock” Float with O-ring
facing downward to make contact with surface of the upper float. Cross tighten all nuts and bolts
when reattaching top flange assembly. 14
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AIR RELEASE AND VACUUM BREAK VALVES R
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Distributed By:
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Vent-O-Mat
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R R R P. O. Box 5064
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Benoni South
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1502
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South Africa
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Tel: (+27 11) 748 0200 Fax: (+27 11) 421 2749
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R R E Mail: ventomat@dfc.co.za
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Web Site: http://www.ventomat.com
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Nov 2010
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