Air lock

Air lock

An air lock is gas trapped in a high point of a liquid-filled pipe system. The gas, being lighter than the liquid, rises to the highest point and restricts the flow of liquid. In very tall systems, the gas can prevent flow entirely.

Flushing the system with high flow or pressures can help move the gas away from the highest point, or a tap can be installed to permit the gas to be vented.

ee also

* fermentation lock, a brewing device
* vapour lock, a gas bubble affecting fluid flow within a pipe


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Air lock — Air Air ([^a]r), n. [OE. air, eir, F. air, L. a[ e]r, fr. Gr. ah r, air, mist, for a[digamma]hr, fr. root a[digamma] to blow, breathe, probably akin to E. wind. In sense 10 the French has taking a meaning fr. It. aria atmosphere, air, fr. the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • air-lock — /air lok /, v.t. to place in or confine to an air lock: to air lock divers before they descend. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium

  • air lock — air′ lock n. 1) civ an airtight chamber permitting passage to or from a space, as in a caisson, in which the air is kept under pressure 2) mac an impedance in the functioning of a pump or a system of piping caused by the presence of an air… …   From formal English to slang

  • air lock — n. 1. an airtight compartment, with adjustable air pressure, between places that do not have the same air pressure, as between the working compartment of a caisson and the outside 2. a blockage, as in a water pipe, caused by trapped air …   English World dictionary

  • air lock — n 1.) a small room used for moving between two places that do not have the same air pressure, for example in a spacecraft 2.) a small amount of air in a pipe that stops liquid flowing through it …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • air lock — 1. Civ. Eng. an airtight chamber permitting passage to or from a space, as in a caisson, in which the air is kept under pressure. 2. the impedance in the functioning of a pump or a system of piping caused by the presence of an air bubble; vapor… …   Universalium

  • air lock — noun a chamber that provides access to space where air is under pressure • Syn: ↑airlock • Hypernyms: ↑chamber * * * noun 1. : an air space with two airtight doors or openings for permitting entrance to or exit from a sealed off space under… …   Useful english dictionary

  • air-lock — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ transitive verb Etymology: air lock : to stop (a flow) by an air lock …   Useful english dictionary

  • air lock — i. A stoppage or diminution of flow in a fuel system, hydraulic system, or the like caused by a pocket of air or vapor. Often called vapor lock. ii. A chamber capable of being hermetically sealed that provides for passage between two places of… …   Aviation dictionary

  • air lock — Synonyms and related words: aboideau, access, adit, approach, corridor, dock gate, entrance, entranceway, entry, entryway, flood hatch, floodgate, gangplank, gangway, gate, hall, head gate, in, ingress, inlet, intake, lock, lock gate, means of… …   Moby Thesaurus

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