1

CHC California Hydronics

Air Separators

AIR IN THE SYSTEM

WHAT DOES IT DO

Annoying noises
Gurgling and falling water
R d
Reduced
d pump h
head
d and
d ffailure
il
Water/air mixture becomes compressible
Catastrophic pump failure
Disturbed water flow
Foam in the piping/loss of conductivity
C
Corrosion
i
3

Pipe Sizing
Velocities high enough to carry air to the
point of separation.
Above 2 ft/sec will carry air bubbles with liquid stream
Below 0.5 ft/sec will allow bubbles to rise by
buoyancy in spite of the downward flow

Need effective air control.

Maximum velocity limits assume that air is not
present.

Air Separation
Initial fill, remove
gross air by:
Venting
Purging

System purging

Air Separation
Operation,
Operation remove entrained air using:
High temperature
Low pressure
Low velocity
Centrifugal action
Coalescence

Air in Solution
The hotter the water
water, the less air it can hold
hold.
The cooler the water, the more air it can
hold.
The lower the pressure of the water, the less
air it can hold.
The higher the pressure of the water, the
more air it can hold
hold.

25%
20%

Nitrogen Soluble
in Water
Expressed in % of
Water Volume
@ 0 PSI & 32 oF

15%
150 PSI

10%

125 PSI
100 PSI
75 PSI

5%

10 PSI

50 PSI

5 PSI
25 PSI
0 PSI

Temperature oF

50o

100o 150o 200o 250o 300o

10

AIR SEPARATION
EFFECT of PRESSURE and
TEMPERATURE
Lowest pressure /highest temperature: this
is the Point of lowest solubility
Example at 40 psig (ie: right out of faucet)
At 60 degrees F = 8% air by volume
Now heat the water up...
10

11

AIR SEPARATION
EFFECT off PRESSURE and
d
TEMPERATURE
Lowest pressure /highest temperature: this
is the Point of lowest solubility
Example at 40 psig
At 60 degrees F = 8% air by volume
RESULT: At 195 degrees F = 4% air by
volume....where did the air go?
11

12

AIR SEPARATION
EFFECT off PRESSURE and
d
TEMPERATURE
Lowest pressure /highest temperature: this is the Point of
lowest solubility
Example at 40 psig
At 60 degrees F = 8% air by volume

RESULT
RESULT: At
A 195 degrees
d
F = 4% air
i by
b
volume....where did the air go? RELEASED
INTO THE SYSTEM
Means 100 gallons of water yields 4 gallons of
air with a 135 degree F rise at start up
12

13

CHILLED WATER SYSTEMS

Lower temperatures so air pockets
are less likely to lockup system
Corrosion
C
i still
till a concern
Air removal device is recommended

13

14

Enhanced Air Separator

Coalescing Brush

Straight
Through
Inlet

Diffuser
Diff

Outlet

Angle Pattern
Inlet

14

15

Enhanced Air Separator

Brush filaments collect entrained air
Excellent for radiant loop systems

15

16

In Line Air Separators

To
Standard
Tank or
Vent

Outlet

System Inlet

To Pre-Charged Tank
16

17

In Line Air Separators

In-Line
In Line Air Separator (IAS): collects large
air pockets; not as effective on entrained
air as the EAS.
EAS Low Cost.
Cost Also known as
an Air PURGER

17

18

Rolairtrol Centrifugal Air Separator

18

19

Air Vent
High Capacity Float
Type Air Vent

19

20

Rolairtrol Centrifugal Air Separators

Rolairtrol: For 2
2 thru 24
24 pipe; ASME Code
construction; spinning water stays to outside of
vessel, the lighter air rises through middle. The
percent of entrained air removed per pass is
published (air elimination efficiency)
Choose size based on flow rate, NOT line-size;
approx 1psi pressure drop, or less, for 90%+ air
elimination efficiency

20

21

Rolairtrol Centrifugal Air Separators

21

22

Coalescing Air Separator

22

23

Coalescing Air Separator

Air onlyy coalescing
g
Dirt removal style

23

24

B&G Rolairtrol Price

Comparison
R Models

RL Models

Connection
Size
List Price Weight (lbs) List Price Weight (lbs)
4"

$2,510

165

$2,235

100

8"
8

$5,710

460

$4,735

400

12"

$12,900

1200

$11,070

980

16"

$33 490
$33,490

2425

$22 685
$22,685

2325

20"

$51,510

5310

$38,185

5140

25

Air Separator Location

25