FILE NO: 37.

15
DATE: Dec. 18. 2007
SUPERSEDES: 35.15
DATE: Apr. 13. 2007

Vortex Air Separator PRODUCT DATA SHEET

The Air Removal Requirement

Air is introduced to a hydronic system:
y During initial fill y While maintaining system pressure
y During routine equipment maintenance y In a cooling tower operation

Fill water at 50ºF (10ºC) can hold up to 9% entrained air at 30 psig (207 kPa). When heated up to 200ºF (93ºC), the
water can hold up to 4.5% entrained air. The remaining 4.5% air is released into the system as air pockets, bubbles,
and microbubbles, that can negatively impact the performance of fluid flow or heat transfer equipment.

Cast Iron Cast Iron Fabricated Steel

2”, 2½”, 3” 4” - 6” 8” - 24”

Water In

Air-Free
Water

How the Vortex Air Separator Removes Air

Circulating the water through the Vortex Air Separator creates a vortex or whirlpool action, sending the heavier
air-free water to the outer portion of the tank and allowing the lighter air-entrained water mixture to move into
the lower velocity center. At the centre of the vortex the air is released from the water forms bubbles and exits
through an air vent or compression tank installed above. Instead of relying entirely on low velocity separation,
the Vortex Air Separator offers the advantage of efficient separation in a much smaller tank.

The Benefits & Advantage of an Air Free System

Air-free water flow means improved systems operation and lower operating costs.

The Vortex Air Separators eliminate entrained air from heating and cooling systems providing these benefits:
y Allows quick venting of air at start-up
y Reduces annoying noise caused by air entrained in the system
y Reduces service costs due to air-bound piping
y Extends the life of the system by reducing corrosion and erosion
y Improves heat transfer efficiency in boilers, fan coils, chillers, etc.
y Reduces the overall energy costs of your system
y Optimizes pump performance by reducing incidences of ‘air lock’
 Installation Schematics
Vortex Air Separators should be installed at the highest Supply to
System
temperature and the lowest pressure points in the system.
Where this is not possible, the best location is at the point Air Vent Pressure Reducing Valve
Armstrong
Circuit
of highest temperature. Ideally, a separator should be Cold Water
Supply
Balancing
Valve
Chiller
located on the outlet side of the boiler, and the suction
side of the pump. Return
From Armstrong Vortex
System Air Separator

Blowdown
Pressure Reducing Valve
Cold Water Air Vent Closed
Supply Expansion Armstrong
Armstrong Tank Suction Guide Armstrong
Circuit Flo-Trex Valve
Balancing
Valve
Relief Valve Armstrong Vortex Armstrong Vertical In-Line Pump
Air Separator
Supply to System
For Chiller Applications

Armstrong
Blowdown Vertical In-Line Pump

Return Hot Water Boiler

From Closed
System Expansion
Tank

Armstrong
Suction Guide
Armstrong
Flo-Trex Valve

For Boiler Applications System

Armstrong
Return
Steam In Circuit
Balancing Air Pressure
Vacuum Reducing
Breaker Valve Vent Relief
Valve Valve
Cold Water System
Armstrong Supply Supply
Heat Exchanger

Armstrong Vortex Armstrong

Air Separator Vertical In-Line Pump
Condensate

Closed
Expansion Blowdown
Tank
Armstrong
Suction Guide
Armstrong
Flo-Trex Valve

For Heat Exchanger Applications

Open Expansion Tank

Relief Pressure Tank

Valve Reducing Valve Fitting Relief Pressure
To Closed Valve Reducing Valve
Compression Air Vent Cold Water
Supply Cold Water
Tank
Supply

System Armstrong Vortex System Armstrong Vortex

Water In Air Separator Water In Air Separator

Typical Piping Connections to an Air Separator

S. A. Armstrong Limited Armstrong Pumps Inc. Armstrong Holden Brooke Pullen
23 Bertrand Avenue 93 East Avenue Wenlock Way
Toronto, Ontario North Tonawanda, New York Manchester
Canada, M1L 2P3 U.S.A., 14120-6594 United Kingdom, M12 5JL
T: (416) 755-2291 T: (716) 693-8813 T: +44 (0) 161 223 2223
F (Main): (416) 759-9101 F: (716) 693-8970 F: +44 (0) 161 220 9660 © S.A. Armstrong Limited 2007

For Armstrong locations worldwide, please visit www.armstrongpumps.com