A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories is among the world leaders in the development, manufacture and distribution of liquid transmission accessories. A.R.I. engineers have developed a wide range of sophisticated valves made from various metals and composite materials. The valves are designed for a variety of applications in the field of industrial processing. Our engineers are working constantly to broaden the range of products, improve and enhance existing product lines and develop new product lines. We incorporate the highest standards of quality control in compliance with Israeli and international standards.

Most of the A.R.I. products are protected by registered patents. A.R.I. operations, development and marketing systems comply with the requirements of the international ISO 9001 and ISO 14000 standards and are certified as such.

The A.R.I. Commitment

A.R.I. is committed to respond to the needs of a changing market. To do so, we strive for a high standard of quality, innovation and advanced technological development as our principal objective.

At A.R.I., we focus on providing products with longevity and minimal maintenance. We offer a comprehensive warranty, excellent service, consulting and training for each customer – at the plant, in the field or at any installation site, as necessary.

Air Valves

The A.R.I. line of automatic air release valves is based on the rolling seal technology. The A.R.I. patented sealing mechanism replaces traditional configurations that incorporate a ball float closing against a round orifice. While the system is under pressure, the A.R.I. rolling seal mechanism with its aerodynamically-designed float releases air in large quantities, several times greater than in traditional valves. They also provide for the soft dynamic closure of the valve. This concept of a rolling seal mechanism enabled A.R.I. to develop small, lightweight, cost effective air valves.

The self-cleaning feature of the rolling seal mechanism greatly reduces the possibility of clogging, leaking and the adhesion of suspended particles to the rolling seal surface.

The valve body and interior components are made of corrosion-resistant materials. This ensures years of corrosion-free and maintenance-free operation, even under extreme environmental conditions.

The A.R.I. line of industrial products also includes a wide variety of air & vacuum and combination air valves. They are made of the same quality materials as the automatic air release valves and provide the same level of quality and assurances.

These valves are offered in dimensions of 1/2” to 1” (automatic air release valves) and 1" to 10"(air & vacuum and combination air valves). They provide solutions for various applications in all industrial fields. These products are lightweight, have a compact profile and are offered at competitive prices.

Air in Industrial Liquid Transmission System

The quantity of air must be controlled in industrial liquid transmission systems. The presence of air/gas bubbles and pockets can be beneficial or detrimental to the transmission system under different conditions. The absence of air, such as exist under vacuum conditions, prevents suitable protection for the transmission systems.

Damage caused by the presence of air in the system

1. Air blockage in the line causes unstable flow of the liquid and, in extreme circumstances, a total stoppage of flow.
2. High head losses, resulting in large energy losses.
3. The impact of surge, as a result of the presence of air in the system, can cause damage to pipes, accessories and connectors.
4. Erroneous readings of water meters and automatic metering valves.
5. Extensive damage to impeller systems in water meters, flow regulators, sprinklers and sprayers.
6. Pitting and increased corrosion in metal components of the systems.
7. Safety risks to operators increase due to the possibility of high energy bursts in locations where there are concentrations of compressed air.

Damage caused by the absence of air in the system

Vacuum enhanced problems and damages:

• Suction of mud and dirt through faulty connections, cracks in pipes and accessories, etc.
• Suction of seals and gaskets, in–line fittings, and other internal accessories of pipes.
• Uncontrolled suction of injected chemicals into the system.
• Pipe or accessory collapse.
• In some cases, the absence of an air cushion can increase the damages of surge and slam phenomena.

Using A.R.I Air Valves to Control Air and Prevent Damage

There are three principal types of air valves used in industrial applications:

• Air & Vacuum Valves.
• Automatic Air Release Valves.
• Combination (double orifice) Air Valves.

Air & Vacuum Valves automatically discharge air at high flow rates during filling of the system and intake air at high flow rates during draining, at water column separation, and in cases of down-surge in the system.

Air & vacuum valves are known also as: large orifice air valves, vacuum breakers, low-pressure air valves and air vacuum valves.

Automatic Air Release Valves release air entrapped in the system while under pressure. The air release flow rates of the automatic air release valves are lower than those of the air & vacuum valves. They are also known as: air release valves and small orifice air valves.

Combination Air Valves include both air & vacuum and automatic air release components in one unit. They perform both functions:

• They discharge air at high flow rates during filling of the system and intake air at high flow rates at system drainage or water column separation, AND
• They release entrapped air while the system is under pressure.

Combination air valves are also known as double orifice air valves.

Installation and Location

It is highly recommended that a basic review be made before selecting the appropriate air valves and determining their sizes and locations:

• The chemical composition of the liquid that passes through them.
• The possibility of extreme pressure changes such as up-surges and down-surges.
• Analysis using ARIavCAD software for efficient design of the system (software available from A.R.I).

Typical installation locations:

• In pump stations.
• At locations where pressure drops.
• At peaks along the line.
• At locations of large convex slope changes
• Along line segments without air valves.
• Near isolating valves on the line.
• On filter setups.
• Before flow meters and automatic devices.
• At line ends.

Check Valves

One-way or check valves are liquid direction devices that allow one-directional flow in the pipeline.

Check valves have various uses such as:

• Controlling directions of flow of liquid in systems in which there are different sources of supply.
• Preventing reverse flow into pumps when pump operation stops.
• Maintaining down-stream pipe pressure in case of a pressure drop at the supply source.
• Preventing drainage from high to low areas.

There are various types of check valves:

- Swing-type check valves, check valves with top covers, check valves with a tilting disc, dual-leaf check valves, wafer type check valves, spring-loaded check valves, etc.

All one-directional valves are built from a basic combination of a body (straight or angular) connected to piping and to a one-way sealing mechanism. The valves are distinguished from one another by the structure of the body and the various sealing mechanisms.

The purpose of the various types of check valves is to provide solutions and adaptations for various applications.

The R&D, engineering and manufacturing divisions of A.R.I. worked together to develop a basket of check valves for a variety of applications. They meet the needs of designers, installers, users and maintenance personnel.

A.R.I. check valves are adapted for industry, wastewater, desalination, hot water, contaminated water, seawater, agricultural and gardening applications, potable water, water treatment systems, municipal lines and oil installations on offshore platforms.

Top-cover type check valves are designed to contend with aggressive environments and solids-laden liquids:

• The body and cover are cast from a variety of corrosion-resistant materials which cover a wide range of chemicals.
• The body has a barrel-shaped structure that allows unrestricted flow.
• A sealing mechanism incorporates a flap that opens fully even under low flow rates and swings up and out of the flow path (full flow). These two properties:

  • enable for the flow of solids-laden liquids without blockage or stagnation, AND

  • ensure particularly low head losses (in the range of only a few centimeters),resulting in large energy savings.

• The top cover provides access for inspection and maintenance without the need for dismantling the valve from the pipeline.
• The sealing seat assembly is accessible for replacement without dismantling the valve from the line.
• The internal configuration inhibits cavitation.
• The shaft that hinges the disc extends from the body of the valve. It serves for mounting counter weights which regulate the closing time of the disc, and greatly reduce the effects of slam and surge.
• The enhanced bearing assembly is unique and the shaft sealing is reliable and long-lasting.  
• The hinged arm is connected to the disc by two pins that prevent premature wear of the sealing assembly.
• A variety of structural materials are used in the sealing mechanism, the disc, and the sealing seat.
• Interior and exterior coatings are resistant to corrosion, chemicals and to UV.

Typical installation locations:

• In pumping stations for raw wastewater.
• In pumping stations for untreated water.
• In desalination installations.
• In chemical process piping systems to regulate the direction of flow.
• Dividing the pressure between the two ends of long pipe segments in which there are large differences in elevation between the ends.

Characteristics of Industrial Air Valves

1) Resistant to corrosion and hostile environments:
• The materials used to manufacture the outer shell and internal parts are adapted for a wide range of industrial fluids.
• The product must be able to withstand extreme environmental conditions such as a marine atmosphere and wide ranges of temperatures (from 0° C. up to 150° C.)
All these features should not weaken the mechanical strength of the materials. The products should meet the required pressure standards as dictated by the various     industrial processes.

2) Maintain the high performance level of the standard A.R.I. air valve:
• There are two air valves groups:
1. Air valves used with clear liquids
2. Air valves used with liquids containing suspended solids.
• These industrial products maintain the original performance levels of the standard A.R.I. air valves even though they have been adapted for industrial applications with changes in the float assembly and sealing mechanism due to the change in specific gravity of the industrial liquids and the stricter safety requirements.

3) Flexibility in choosing air valves based on industrial system requirements:

• Product suitability is determined by chemical analysis of the liquid.
• Product suitability is determined by the pipeline standards as well as the accompanying accessories.
• Most existing air valves have mechanisms to prevent hydraulic surges. (NON- SLAM additions)
• The Application Engineering Departments of A.R.I. performs various hydraulic analyses of the systems: 

1. Protection against column separation of the liquid in the pipeline and the ensuing rise in negative pressure that results from traumatic events to the steady flow regime, by performing a pipeline analysis using the ARIavCAD software program.
2. Protection against transient episodes (UP & DOWN SURGES) by performing a pipeline analysis using the KYPipe surge software program.

4) Operational safety:

• The air valves are designed to seal tightly and prevent the leaking of dangerous fluid which could harm human beings and pollute the environment.
• Optional drainage pipes can easily be attached to the discharge orifice if needed.
• The air valves are built to remain intact and function over time in aggressive conditions. 

The main applications of the air valves according to the industrial field:

• Desalination – and other marine and brine environments.
• Mining - copper, gold and other mines which use acidic solutions such as sulfuric acid and basic solutions such as cyanide in large quantities and also on all other liquid conveyance systems.

• ACHV – hot water systems and INHIBITOR solutions.
• Food – use in systems with a variety of aromatic and disinfectant liquids.
• Fuel - air release from fuel transportation systems that pass through industrial gas meters.
• Processes - production facilities, storage and transport of chemicals needing gas or air separation during the industrial process.
• Water Treatment Plants - using ozone, chlorine or UV, or filters. Air valves increase the efficiency of the treatment.