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Featuring the Air Release Valve (ARV) manufactured by Plast-O-Matic Valves...............
An Automatic Air Release Valve Ensures the Depletion of Unwanted Air in Pressurized Tanks The latest addition to SeaWorld’s ever evolving kaleidoscope of animal and entertainment experiences is the “Manta”. As advertised by SeaWorld, the Manta will have riders flying face down, in a horizontal position, underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as a giant manta. This giant manta, with a wing span of 12 feet, will soar over sea and sky in the most graceful flying coaster ever created. Gliding, swooping, and diving up to nearly 60 mph, through four inversions on 3359 feet of track, riders will feel as if they are a ray, skimming the waves. SeaWorld, along with many other aquatic amusement parks, maintain a complex system of water quality control. Within this treatment process, filtration is the most important phase. Sand filters are one of the most common types of filtration systems for this type of application. This type of filter is also commonly used for commercial pools, aquariums, municipal water treatment, irrigation, etc. The general purpose of the sand filter is to eliminate suspended particles from circulating water, thus improving the clarity of the water. Several modes of the Sand Filter determine the direction and flow of water, all of which create pressure within the tank. For example, in the filter mode, the valve directs the water to the top of the filter, where it compresses and flattens down the sand. Contaminants are removed as the water makes its way to the bottom laterals, out of the filter and back to the application site, (i.e., amusement ride). In backwash mode, the valve directs the water to come out the bottom laterals, reversing the flow through the tank. This causes the sand to separate and lift while releasing the trapped debris into the water, allowing it to exit from the filter and go out the waste line. CASE STUDY
At SeaWorld in Orlando, several 93” vertical composite high-rate commercial sand filters were installed to handle the filtering process for the “Manta” amusement ride. These large tanks are made of a non-corrosive fiberglass composite construction, filament wound with polyester resin. The working pressure is generally 50 psi, but can be made to withstand higher psi. Many of these types of filters come with a manual air release to relieve the tank of excess pressure as the water enters and the air becomes compressed. Without the proper and timely air release, the filtration process becomes compromised and the pressure may increase within the tank to dangerous levels. Consequently, the engineers for the project decided to specify the automatic Plast-O-Matic Air Release valve to be plumbed into the top of each sand filter. A true union ball valve was also specified to be threaded between the tank and the air release valve, as an isolation measure. The operation of the Plast-O-Matic Air Release Valve is simple. The ARV is a normally-open thermoplastic valve. When your system is non-pressurized, the valve remains open, hence air is present. As pressure builds within the system, unwanted air is forced to the highest point in the system. This is the absolute ideal location for the POM normally-open air release valve. When pressure within the system exceeds atmospheric pressure, air is expelled. As liquid rises, the poppet becomes buoyant and eventually closes. The minimum specific gravity of the liquid in use must be .9 or higher in order for the poppet to perform effectively. As the system pressure reaches 10 psi, the poppet will seal bubble tight against the orifice. Conversely, when pressure and liquid level drop, the valve will automatically re-open. The ARV’s poppet is guided by a series of thermoplastic ribs within the valve. The poppet is a unique design developed by Plast-O-Matic Valves,Inc. and is the key to the superior performance of the POM Air Release Valve. The poppet maintains the density to permit maximum emission of unwanted system air, yet it is buoyant enough to create a quick seal and minimize emission of the process liquid. Historically, competitive air release valves have used ball-type sealing mechanisms that either seal too rapidly or allow excessive liquid to escape. As promoted, the theme of SeaWorld exists as the virtual representative of Busch Entertainment Corporation's zoological and educational resource experience. Furthermore, BEC is committed to bringing the excitement, wonder, and awe of the natural world into a place of recreation. Now, with the addition of the automatic Plast-O-Matic Air Release Valves used injunction with the sand filtration system, that exciting place of recreation is a safer place.
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