Bulk plant air eliminator

1. Product Overview

The Air Separator Tank is designed to remove a large amount of free air or vapor from liquid before it enters the measuring system. In the petroleum industry, when pumping from ships or underground tanks, air often mixes in due to vortex effects or pipeline leaks. The separator tank slows down the flow, allowing air bubbles to rise and escape, ensuring that only pure liquid passes through the flow meter.

2. Standard Technical Specifications

3. Why Large Loading/Unloading Systems Must Have an Air Separator Tank

Unlike small air release valves, the air separator tank provides higher-level system protection:

• Accuracy assurance: Flow meters will measure air if not separated, causing large errors (up to 5–10%). The separator ensures optimal accuracy (±0.2%).
• Equipment protection: Prevents water hammer and severe vibration caused by large air pockets moving through pipelines, protecting pump seals and flange joints.
• Stable operation: Ensures flow entering meters and control valves is steady, without interruptions or foaming.

4. Key Features

• Large separation chamber: The tank’s large volume reduces flow velocity suddenly, creating ideal conditions for air to separate from liquid by gravity.
• Dual venting mechanism: Often integrates dual float valves to handle both continuous small air release and sudden large air volumes at the start of pumping.
• Internal baffles: Plates or mesh inside the tank help collect small bubbles into larger ones, allowing faster release.
• Easy inspection: Equipped with a sight glass for operators to check liquid levels and air separation status inside the tank.

5. Practical Applications

• Marine unloading systems: Removes large amounts of air commonly present when pumping ship tanks.
• Truck loading stations: Installed before flow measurement units to control delivery accuracy.
• Airport fueling systems: Ensures aircraft fuel is completely free of air and impurities.
• Refineries: Used in fluid transfer lines between processing units.