Air Valves Characterization Using Hydrodynamic Similarity

Air valves characterization is critical for proper design of pipeline systems, mainly for the processes of filling and emptying. However, knowing this capacity is not a simple matter. Technical information provided by manufacturers is often insufficient or inaccurate. Moreover, experimental determination of the behavior of these elements requires large infrastructures either for pumping air either for storage it. In this paper an alternative methodology for testing air valves is presented. The procedure is based on testing the elements using water instead of air, measuring the flow through the element for different differential pressures. Subsequently, the application of techniques based on the hydrodynamic similarity allows extrapolating the performance characteristics of these valves with air. Finally, the proposed methodology has been validated with four air valve models. These valves have been tested with water. Later, the results obtained by similarity are compared with those obtained from tests in specialized laboratories.