Flanged Anti Water Hammer Arrestor – Z-Tide AIF-D Series
The Z-Tide Industrial AIF-D Series is a heavy-duty flanged anti water hammer surge arrestor designed to absorb hydraulic pressure surges and protect pumps, valves, pipework and associated equipment from damaging water hammer.
Using a pre-charged diaphragm air chamber, the AIF-D responds immediately to sudden pressure changes caused by pump starting and stopping, rapid valve closure or changes in water velocity. The compressed air cushion absorbs the hydraulic energy while the flexible diaphragm separates the air chamber from the pipeline medium.
Manufactured with a ductile iron body and available in large flanged sizes from DN80 to DN300, the AIF-D provides high-capacity surge protection for industrial, municipal and commercial water systems.
Function & Operation
Function:
Anti water hammer surge arrestor
Hydraulic shock absorber
Operating principle:
Pre-charged diaphragm air cushion
When a rapid change in water velocity generates a pressure surge, the hydraulic shock acts against the flexible diaphragm.
The diaphragm compresses the trapped air cushion inside the chamber, allowing the surge energy to be absorbed rather than transmitted through the pipeline.
Once the transient pressure subsides, the compressed air expands and returns the diaphragm towards its normal position.
This provides immediate response without relying on sliding pistons or mechanical spring assemblies.
Pressure & Performance
Working pressure: Up to 12 kgf/cm²
Body test pressure: 21 kgf/cm²
Normal air chamber pressure: 2.5 kgf/cm²
Large Flanged Size Range
The AIF range shown by Z-Tide covers:
AIF-80 – 3" / DN80
AIF-100 – 4" / DN100
AIF-125 – 5" / DN125
AIF-150 – 6" / DN150
AIF-200 – 8" / DN200
AIF-250 – 10" / DN250
AIF-300 – 12" / DN300
Air Chamber Capacity
Air chamber volume increases substantially with valve size:
AIF-80: 2,465 cm³
AIF-100: 5,535 cm³
AIF-125: 5,535 cm³
AIF-150: 15,325 cm³
AIF-200: 27,230 cm³
AIF-250: 27,230 cm³
AIF-300: 67,860 cm³
The large AIF-300 therefore provides an air chamber capacity approaching 68 litres, giving the range considerably greater surge-absorption capacity than the small threaded AIT units.
Construction & Materials
Body: Ductile iron
Air chamber: Sealed pressurised design
Diaphragm: NBR standard
Optional diaphragm: FKM / Viton
Integrated Pressure Gauge
Unlike the smaller threaded AIT version, the flanged AIF Series incorporates a pressure gauge.
This allows the air chamber pressure to be checked during commissioning and routine maintenance.
No Sliding Piston
The diaphragm design avoids the sliding piston arrangement found in some conventional surge-control devices.
This means there are no piston seals sliding continuously against a cylinder bore, reducing the potential for friction, sticking and mechanical wear.
The flexible diaphragm reacts directly to pressure changes, allowing the compressed air chamber to cushion transient hydraulic pressure.
Installation
Vertical installation – acceptable
Horizontal installation – acceptable
This gives considerable flexibility when positioning the AIF-D close to pumps, check valves and other likely sources of hydraulic shock.
Where Water Hammer Occurs
Water hammer commonly occurs following:
Fast-closing solenoid valves
Control valve closure
Pump shutdown
Pump start-up
Check valve closure
Rapid changes in water velocity
Long pipeline runs
Installing an appropriately sized surge arrestor close to the source of the transient helps reduce pressure spikes before the shock wave propagates throughout the system.
Typical Applications
Pump stations
Booster pump systems
Water distribution networks
Industrial process water
Cooling water systems
Irrigation systems
Fire water pipework
Municipal water infrastructure
Water treatment plants
Large industrial pipelines
The DN80–DN300 range makes the AIF-D particularly suitable for larger pump and distribution systems where small threaded water hammer arrestors do not provide sufficient chamber capacity.
Why Choose the Z-Tide AIF-D?
The AIF-D combines large air-chamber capacity with a simple diaphragm operating principle.
With no sliding piston mechanism, the arrestor reacts directly to hydraulic pressure changes while the sealed air cushion absorbs surge energy.
Available through to DN300 / 12" with a 67,860 cm³ chamber, the range provides a substantially larger surge-control solution than conventional small plumbing-type water hammer arrestors.
The ductile iron construction, integrated pressure gauge, NBR or optional Viton diaphragm and approximately 12 Bar working capability make it particularly suited to demanding industrial water systems.
Port Size:
4 inch Flange DN100 , 5 inch Flange DN125 , 6 inch Flange DN150 , 8 inch Flange DN200 , 10 inch Flange DN250, 12 inch Flange DN300 , 3 inch Flange DN80
Pressure:
0.02 Bar (20 mBar), 0.1 Bar (100 mBar), 0.2 Bar (200 mBar), 0.3 Bar (300 mBar), 0.4 Bar (400 mBar), 0.5 Bar (500 mBar), 0.6 Bar (600 mbar), 0.7 Bar (700 mBar), 0.8 Bar (800 mBar), 1 Bar, 1.2 Bar, 1.3 Bar, 1.4 Bar, 1.5 Bar, 1.6 Bar, 2 Bar, 2.5 Bar, 3 Bar, 3.5 Bar, 4 Bar, 4.5 Bar, 5 Bar, 5.5 Bar, 6 Bar, 6.5 Bar, 7 Bar, 7.5 Bar, 8 Bar, 8.5 Bar, 9 Bar, 10 Bar, 12 Bar
