How to Troubleshoot Air relief Valve Failures
Air relief valve troubleshooting needs to be systematically checked in combination with its structural principles and common failure modes. The following are professional troubleshooting steps and methods:
I. Classification and preliminary judgment of fault phenomena
| Fault phenomena | Possible causes |
| Continuous leakage | 1. Damaged sealing surface 2. Valve disc stuck or not completely closed 3. Spring failure 4. Impurities stuck on the sealing surface |
| Unable to exhaust | 1. Valve blockage 2. Valve disc rusted or stuck 3. Spring stiffness is too large 4. Inlet pipe blockage |
| Abnormal vibration/noise | 1. Valve flutter 2. Spring resonance 3. Loose internal components |
| Inaccurate exhaust pressure | 1. Spring preload is out of adjustmen t2. Damaged adjustment mechanism 3. Diaphragm/piston failure |
| Frequent malfunctions | 1. Set pressure is too low 2. System pressure fluctuation is too large 3. Pilot valve failure (pilot exhaust valve) |
II. Step-by-step troubleshooting process
1 Appearance inspection
Check whether the valve surface is obviously damaged, deformed or corroded
Confirm whether the connecting bolts are loose and the flange seal is good
Check whether the nameplate parameters match the system requirements
2 Pressure testing and monitoring
Use a high-precision pressure gauge to monitor the inlet and outlet pressures of the valve
Compare the actual exhaust pressure with the set pressure deviation (the allowable error is usually ±3%~5%)
Record the system pressure fluctuation range to determine whether it exceeds the valve working range
3 Valve action inspection
Manually operate the exhaust valve (if there is a manual test device) to verify the mechanical flexibility
Observe whether the valve opening and closing process is smooth, and whether there is any jamming or delay
Check the valve stem / Check whether the valve disc moves vertically to avoid poor sealing due to deflection
4 Sealing performance test
When the valve is closed, use airtight detection method (such as soapy water, helium mass spectrometer leak detector) to check the leakage point
For critical systems, back pressure test can be performed to verify the sealing performance of the valve under different back pressure conditions
5 Disassemble and inspect internal components
Remove the valve cover and check whether the spring is rusted, broken or elastically attenuated
Check whether the sealing surface (valve disc and valve seat) is worn, scratched or adhered with impurities
Clean or replace sealing components such as O-rings and diaphragms
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III. Solutions to common faults
| Fault type | Solution |
| Sealing surface leakage | 1. Grind and repair the sealing surface 2. Replace the sealing ring (PTFE/Viton and other materials) 3. Clean impurities |
| Spring failure | 1. Replace the spring of the same specification 2. Recalculate the spring stiffness according to the system pressure |
| Valve blockage | 1. Use compressed air to purge the internal channel 2. Chemical cleaning to remove scale/rust3. Install a filter |
| Failure of the adjustment mechanism | 1. Calibrate the adjustment screw/nut 2. Replace the damaged adjustment spring or diaphragm |
| Vibration problem | 1. Add a damping device 2. Adjust the spring preload 3. Change the valve installation position (avoid resonance points) |
IV. Preventive maintenance suggestions
Regularly clean the inside of the valve to prevent impurities from accumulating (recommended once every 6-12 months)
Perform pressure setting calibration every year to ensure exhaust pressure accuracy
For corrosive media, use 316L stainless steel, Hastelloy and other corrosion-resistant materials
Install a Y-type filter at the valve inlet to reduce the risk of impurities entering
Record each failure and repair process, and establish a maintenance file
Conclusion
Through the above systematic troubleshooting method, air release valve faults can be quickly located and effective repair measures can be taken. For complex faults or problems that cannot be solved by yourself, it is recommended to contact the valve manufacturer’s technical support team for professional services. As a qualified and professional industrial valves Manufacturer in China, TWT produces high-quality butterfly valves. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.