Air manifolds or also called as distribution manifolds are single pipeline with several valves outputs designed to distribute air or steam to several outputs, such as steam flow meters, pressure controllers and valve positioners.
Air manifolds are commonly used to distribute air from the compressor to several actuators on pneumatic instruments.
Construction of air manifold:
The instrument air manifold header arrangement and instrument air supply branches show below:
The number of outlets of the air distribution collector can vary depending on the number of pneumatic devices or valves in the vicinity. Each outlet is equipped with a ball valve or needle valve type.
Each outlet should have the number of the instrument tag to which the outlet supplied the air. A block valve is attached to the bottom of the instrument air distribution collector for drainage purposes. This drain valve is necessary to bleed the built-up condensed liquid during maintenance.