TLV LA6-CE, LA6-SF, LA6-P, and LA6-EP are compact stainless steel thermostatic air vents with a fail-open feature for steam, designed for vertical installation. They are highly recommended for use in pure and clean steam systems.

The product features a revolutionary design utilizing a high-performance X-element. This is a new type of valve mechanism in which a thermoliquid is sealed inside the X-element and the valve opens or closes based on the difference between the saturation temperatures of the thermoliquid and the water. The X-element is very sensitive to changes in temperature and responds with great accuracy, quickly discharging air and the large quantities of condensate created immediately after operation start-up, thereby greatly reducing start-up time. It also reacts with great sensitivity to the hot air accumulated during operation, preventing air-locking.

Features

1. Vents air automatically until close-to-steam temperature.
2. Compact for easy installation.
3. Reacts immediately to changes in operating conditions.
4. Withstands superheat and water hammer.
5. Maintainable design lowers cleaning costs.
6. Tight shut-off.
7. LA6-P polished to 0.8 μm Ra inside and 1.2 μm Ra outside, with an electro-polish option to further resist bacterial growth.
8. Also functions as a vacuum breaker.

Operation

1. Start-up Air and Gas Discharge Initially, the X-element is open and air in piping is quickly vented, significantly shortening equipment start-up time.

2. Closed Position When an initial air and gas is discharged and steam flows in, the increased temperature causes the X-element to close immediately. If the temperature around the X-element is near steam saturation temperature, the vent will remain closed.

3. Air and Gas Discharge When the temperature of the X-element decreases due to inflowing air, the X-element contracts opening the vent and allowing air discharge.

Specifications

WARNING

Install properly and DO NOT use this product outside the recommended operating pressure, temperature and other specification ranges. Improper use may result in such hazards as damage to the product or malfunctions that may lead to serious accidents. Local regulations may restrict the use of this product to below the conditions quoted.

Model	LA6-CE	LA6-SF	LA6-P*
Connection	Clamp End / Tube End	Clamp End / Tube End	Clamp End / Tube End
Size	DN 15, 20, 25 / DN 8, 10, 15, 20, 25	DN 15, 20, 25 / DN 8, 10, 15, 20, 25	DN 15, 20, 25 / DN 8, 10, 15, 20, 25
Maximum Operating Pressure (barg) PMO	6	6	6
Minimum Operating Pressure (barg)	0.1	0.1	0.1
Maximum Operating Temperature (°C) TMO	165	165	165
Subcooling of X-element Fill (°C)	Up to 22	Up to 22	Up to 22
X-element type	Standard	Standard	Electro-polished
Clamp Type	2-Piece Clamp (Buff Polished)	2-Piece Clamp (Buff Polished)	3-Piece Clamp (Buff Polished)
Finishing (Internal / External)	Natural Machining	0.8 μm Ra / 1.2 μm Ra Fine Machining	0.8 μm Ra / 1.2 μm Ra Buff Polished

*LA6-EP with 0.4 μm Ra electro-polishing available on request.

Pressure Shell Design Conditions (Not Operating Conditions):

• Maximum Allowable Pressure (barg) PMA: 10
• Maximum Allowable Temperature (°C) TMA: 185

Configuration and Materials

No.	Description	Material	DIN*	ASTM/AISI*
1	Upper Body	Stainless Steel AISI316L	1.4404	AISI316L
2	Lower Body	Stainless Steel AISI316L	1.4404	AISI316L
3	X-element	Stainless Steel SUS316L	1.4404	AISI316L
4	Body Clamp	Cast Stainless Steel A351 Gr.CF8	1.4312	A351 Gr.CF8
5	Body Gasket**	High-performance Fluorine Resin	-	-
6	Wing Nut	Stainless Steel	-	-

*Equivalent materials. **Body gasket is GYLON BIO-PRO; complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.1550, USP Class VI and EC 1935/2004.

Dimensions

Clamp End

DN [Size]	L (mm)	φD (mm)	φd (mm)	Weight (kg)
15 [1/2"]	65	34 [25]	15.2 [9.4]	0.5
20 [3/4"]	65	34 [25]	19.3 [15.75]	0.55
25 [1"]	65	50.5	22.6 [22.1]	0.6

*ISO 2852 Clamp / ISO 2037 Tube or ASME-BPE (Tri-Clamp compatible). [ ] ASME-BPE (Tri-Clamp compatible).

Tube End

DN	L (mm)	L1 (mm)	φD (mm)	t (mm)	Weight (kg)
8	90	20	13.5	1.6	0.5
10	90	20	17.2	1.6	0.55
15	90	20	21.3	1.6	0.55
20	90	20	26.9	1.6	0.55
25	90	20	33.7	2.0	0.6

*ISO 1127, other standards available.

Body Clamp

DN	2-Piece: LA6-CE / LA6-SF (B / W1 / W2)	3-Piece: LA6-P (B / W1 / W2)
8, 10, 15, 20, 25	92 / 62 / 55 mm	82 / 70 / 55 mm

Air Venting Capacity

1. Differential pressure is the difference between the inlet and outlet pressures of the air vent.
2. Capacities are equivalent capacities of air at 20 °C under atmospheric pressure.

Installation and Maintenance

WARNING

Take measures to prevent people from coming into direct contact with product outlets. Failure to do so may result in burns or other injury from the discharge of fluids.

WARNING

When disassembling or removing the product, wait until the internal pressure equals atmospheric pressure and the surface of the product has cooled to room temperature. Disassembling or removing the product when it is hot or under pressure may lead to discharge of fluids, causing burns, other injuries or damage.

1. Before installation, be sure to remove all protective seals from the product.
2. Before installing the product, blow out the inlet piping to remove any piping scraps, dirt and oil. Close the inlet valve after blowdown.
3. When using the product to remove air from steam equipment, install at a point where air tends to collect (essentially, a place away from the steam inlet). To increase the effectiveness of air removal, also install an air vent in front of the steam equipment (at the primary side).
4. Install the product vertically, making sure the arrow on the air vent is pointing in the direction of flow.
5. Be sure to connect the pipe to the discharge side at the outlet. If air, etc. is discharged from the outlet, connect a pipe leading to a drain, etc. so the discharge does not affect operations. Do not submerge the outlet pipe in water; this may result in air vent failure if the pipe sucks up water containing rust and scale.
6. Open the inlet valve and check to make sure that the product functions properly. After steam is supplied to the product, cool the product and further tighten the clamp.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Remedy
No air or gas is discharged (blocked) or discharge is poor	The X-element is stuck to the valve seat	Clean parts
	The valve seat is blocked	Clean the valve seat, or replace with a new valve seat or cover
	The screen is clogged	Clean parts
	The air vent operating pressure exceeds the maximum specified pressure, or there is insufficient pressure differential	Compare specifications and actual operating conditions
Steam is discharged or leaks from the outlet (blowing/steam leakage)	There is rust or scale between the X-element valve and valve seat	Clean parts
	The X-element valve and valve seat are damaged	Replace with a new X-element and/or cover
	The X-element is broken	Replace with a new X-element
	Improper installation	Correct the installation
	Product vibration	Lengthen the inlet piping and fasten it securely
Steam is leaking from a place other than the outlet	Gasket deterioration or damage	Replace with a new gasket
	Improper tightening torques were used	Tighten to the proper torque (Wing Nut: 8.0 N·m)