Training Modules
Behaviour and Effects of Air in Water Distribution Systems
Director Approved training curriculum
Trainer: Sheldon Thomas, qualified training provider meeting requirements of Guidelines 4.2 and 4.3 of O. Reg. 128/04
Course duration: full day
Learning objectives:
Students will learn that air accumulation can cause substantial difficulties in water distribution system piping
Trainees will become familiar with the many ways that air can be introduced to water pipelines.
Students will learn that destructive forces can be generated as a result of the presence of air pockets, and that pipeline efficiency is greatly diminished if air is allowed to remain
Those attending will learn that the water industry has only recently come to a better understanding of movement and behaviour of air in pipelines
The course will explain Boyle’s Law, Henry’s Law, Pascal’s Equation and Joukowski’s Equation, the primary physical laws that govern how air behaves in a pressurized piping system
A number of related videos are embedded into the presentation to support trainee understanding of the phenomenon if air/water interface
A detailed examination will be done of older styles of air valves,
to highlight performance deficiencies that affect the draining and filling pipelines.
A variety of air valve demonstrators, of differing technologies, will be made available for hands-on trainee examination
Students will be supplied with a comprehensive air valve inspection procedure that can serve as a suitable Standard Operating Procedure for the inspection of this system asset
The course introduces newer water system products and operational
procedures that can help minimize air accumulation in water systems
Pre-requisites: Trainees should be engaged in water distribution system operation, design or construction
Target group: Water distribution management and field staff, contractors, consultants, water utility construction inspectors, water system designers
Method of instruction: Power point presentation / discussion / class room air valve demonstration models / training handout
Written multiple-choice test upon conclusion of training, pass 70%
CEU value: 0.7
Clear Water Legacy
Water Distribution System Operator Training
