Modern industrial operations, including those in manufacturing plants, construction and civil engineering projects, and mining operations, rely heavily on specialised water management systems to ensure smooth and efficient processes. One key component in maintaining water purity and preventing contamination across these varied sectors is the use of break tanks.
In industrial manufacturing, ranging from chemical processing facilities to food and beverage production sites, break tanks are crucial for sustaining water purity throughout manufacturing processes. These systems work by creating a physical barrier—an air gap—that prevents any backward flow of water, thereby protecting the water supply from contamination.
Similarly, construction projects and civil engineering works utilise break tanks to provide a consistent, temporary water supply essential for site development and infrastructure construction. In these contexts, break tanks play a vital role in backflow prevention, maintaining the integrity of the water used throughout the project, even in the early stages of development.
Mining operations, particularly those in remote or challenging environments where access to clean water can be scarce, also depend on break tanks. These systems are paramount in managing the water supply and preventing contamination, thus safeguarding the health and safety of the workers and the surrounding environment.
This fundamental role of break tanks across various sectors highlights their significance in modern industry, where the assurance of water purity is not just a necessity but an imperative for operational success.
What Is an Air Gap?
An air gap is a simple but effective backflow prevention measure that is commonly found in plumbing systems. To prevent contamination, these systems have separate pipes for clean water and wastewater to flow through. However, to further ensure that wastewater truly won’t end up entering the clean water pipes (what is referred to as backflow), an air gap is introduced into the system.
As the name suggests, air gaps are an empty vertical space that keeps clean water and wastewater from mixing. As simple as it may be, the air gap is a crucial measure that can eliminate the risk of water contamination. Hence, they are a critical part of any piping system and should not be overlooked.
The way it works is three-fold. First, it creates a physical separation between the water outlet (e.g., a pipe or hose) and the overflow level of the receiving vessel (e.g., a break tank). This gap ensures that there is no direct connection between the potable water supply and potentially contaminated water sources.
Next, air gaps take advantage of the mechanics of gravity. When water flows from the water outlet, it enters the receiving vessel and accumulates to a certain level before it overflows. The air gap ensures that there is a space between the overflow level and the water outlet, allowing air to enter and break the continuity of the water flow. Finally, the presence of an air gap creates a pressure differential between the water supply and the receiving vessel. This difference prevents contaminated water from being drawn back into the potable water supply through backflow or back-siphonage.
If you want to ensure the water purity of your project’s piping systems, it’s best to work with a leading liquid management solutions provider in Australia to help come up with customised solutions for your project.
The Importance of Air Gaps
As mentioned, air gaps are vital in piping systems because they prevent cross-connection. If humans consume or make contact with contaminated water, it can cause serious health issues like diarrhoea, cholera, and even hepatitis. Moreover, most water supplies are interconnected. Thus, if one part of it is contaminated, then there is a risk of that contamination spreading to other water supplies. Air gaps are just a simple prevention measure to keep this from happening.
In some cases, air gap systems are required as part of a safety regulation; thus, your project must adhere to such rules. This not only ensures compliance but also promotes the safety of the crew involved in the project if they happen to regularly come in contact with your piping system.
Overlooking the inclusion of an air gap in your piping system can also cost you more in the long run. Cleaning up contaminated water can incur substantial costs over time; what’s more, it may lead to sanctions that can result in hefty fines or project stoppage until proper compliance. This can cause delays and additional costs to the entire operation, which could have otherwise been avoided.
Merits of Maintaining Water Purity
Water purity is a must in industrial projects, especially if your water supply is used for specialised functions. A good example here is aquaculture, which requires high standards of cleanliness to ensure that any aquatic life residing in it won’t be poisoned by wastewater. Meanwhile, in water supply and distribution systems, maintaining purity is essential for ensuring that the water is safe for consumption. If consumed, contaminated water can pose health risks to both humans and animals, leading to waterborne illnesses or other health problems.
The placement of your pipes can also help ensure proper channelling of water. You may employ pipe floats or PE pipe floats to help better position your piping system for projects such as dredging or other marine-related operations. Do keep in mind that your pipe floats need to be compliant with safety standards, made of good quality materials, and should be able to maintain stability against wind and tidal currents to ensure stability.
Last, but not least, water cleanliness is also crucial in maintaining equipment integrity. In particular, contaminants can cause corrosion and blockages in pipes, pumps, and other equipment within the pipe float system. Ensuring water purity helps protect the equipment, keeping it in good shape and prolonging its lifespan to reduce maintenance needs and avoid replacement costs.
Quality Solutions for Your Liquid Management Needs
Various sectors can benefit from reliable liquid management services, some of which are mining, agriculture, energy, marine, and other industrial ventures. Given how complicated these can be, it pays to look for a partner that will not only offer you products and services but also customised solutions to your project’s particular liquid management needs. This ensures that the final setup will work seamlessly upon implementation.
Liquimech specialises in comprehensive liquid management solutions, including liquid storage, transfer, flow control, and piping systems. Serving a wide range of industries, even in remote locations, Liquimech ensures the delivery of high-quality systems tailored to match the specific requirements of your project. While our air gap systems represent a significant aspect of our offerings, they are just one of many solutions we provide. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can create a customised solution that fully meets your needs.
