What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

What makes us install a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system? So, let's take a closer look:

• First, it is the need to accumulate (accumulate, store) the volume of liquid;
• Secondly, it is necessary, while accumulating liquid, to take away excess pressure;
• Thirdly, it is the need to damp water hammer in the water supply system;
• Fourthly, the accumulator allows you to maintain water pressure even when the pump is off;
• Fifthly, the presence of a hydroaccumulator gives the pump "advanced", it turns on less often;
• And sixth, at peak water consumption, the hydroaccumulator "smoothes" them ...

The accumulator has synonyms to refer to the same product and structural element water supply systems: "Expansion tank" and "Expanzomat" are among them, and are used quite often, especially the first. They designate exactly the same as the hydraulic accumulator.

Historical retreat: For a more conscious perception of the function and location of the accumulator in our water supply, it is good to remember the design and purpose of the well-known to many water towers... They stored water and also provided water pressure in the system (head in common parlance).

But due to their design and location in the water supply, they could not and should not have smooth out the excess pressure and damp the water hammer. But both the water tower and the accumulator improve the operation of the system: the first is due to the potential energy of the water raised above the ground, the second is due to the potential energy of the compressed air in it.

Digression about color: In heat supply systems, hydraulic accumulators are also installed. And here it is worth remembering that accumulators for water supply systems and for heating systems are usually (by most manufacturers) made with a difference in coloring. Blue ones are for water systems. Reds - heating supplies. There are also colorless ones.

In any case, you should read the technical documentation. to be sure of the purpose of the device. Among the differences between these devices from each other: in blue, only food-grade rubber is used. They are blue, designed in such a way that you can change the membrane yourself. In the red ones, the rubber is technical, and the membrane can not be changed independently in all. Therefore, the accumulator for the water supply system is a blue accumulator.

Hydroaccumulator device for water supply systems

The appearance of the accumulator- a container that actually accumulates water, a membrane or a pear inside, a filter is also usually inside, inputs and outputs for water and air, and various pipes, valves, devices and structures to ensure the functioning of the water supply outside.

Accumulators have two standard options constructions. Diaphragm accumulators and accumulators with a rubber bulb.

Both the pear and the membrane are hidden inside the device.

The membrane follows the shape of the tank as we see it from the outside. In this case, water enters it from below. Its place is inside the membrane. Outside, the membrane is surrounded by air.

The water inlet is at the bottom, the air inlet is at the top. At the inlet at the bottom - a filter, at the inlet at the top - a spool.

Note: sometimes they make an entrance for water from above.

Hydroaccumulators with a pear are arranged in about the same way, but there are modifications when the water inlet is located on the side, the whole device seems to be horizontal. The pear can be attached both from one side and from both ends, to opposite walls.

Ecological retreat: Opinions about which is better, a pear or a membrane, and which material for a pear or a membrane gives you better water at the outlet, are very diverse. Many people believe that a pear, and even made of rubber based on natural rubber, gives the best water in an ecological sense. Other opinions are that different types membranes and pears have a sufficiently high quality material, and do not affect the composition of the water.

Selection of a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system. How to choose?

For lovers simple solutions We can confidently suggest: buy a 24-liter hydraulic accumulator, and take the place as close to the pump as possible - and your water supply system will work normally.

If the building is larger, or the family is large, and the activity in the use of water is high, it is worth doing some calculations.

Approach in terms of pump on-off... It is best not to turn on the pump more than 30 times per hour. Find out the performance of your pump, most likely it is about 40 liters per minute. In the accumulator, water and air divide the space in half ... so from this point of view, you need a accumulator volume of up to 100 liters.

Peak consumption issue: 8 liters of water for the kitchen, 10 liters for the shower, and 6 liters for the toilet. It's in a minute!

If there are two toilets, then this must also be taken into account.

We get a figure of 30 liters per minute. We have only half in the accumulator tank - this is water, we remember that. A hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems up to 100 liters and from this point of view is suitable!

Note for the assiduous: If you want to approach the issue even more thoroughly, take an interest in a fairly well-known international calculation method. It is also denoted by the abbreviation from the Latin letters UNI. The technique will require effort from you - you need to fill out the tables and figure out the calculation formula.

From the point of view of water reserve in case of a shutdown, make a decision subjectively, based on your understanding of what a reserve is and how much water you need "just in case".

How to choose a hydraulic accumulator for water supply in terms of pressure... The pressure should in no case be less than the pressure in the water supply system of the house. A pipe height of 10 meters gives you a pressure of 1 bar. The valve works normally at 0.5 bar.

You need the pressure to be at least the sum of these two values, that is, 1.5 bar. Typically, manufacturing plants provide exactly this figure. However, the pressure in the accumulator should be checked once or twice a year!

Installation of a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems

It will always not be superfluous to remind that the installation of the accumulator must be carried out in full accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

It will be ideal if it is carried out by experienced specialists. A layman with the ability, experience and desire, the owner of a house, for example, often prefers to do everything on his own. In this case, again, the manufacturer's instructions must not be violated, and prudence and caution should be exercised:

• Accumulators with external damage should not be installed;
• The conditions at the place of installation and operation must correspond to those specified by the manufacturer;
• Tank weight! The weight of the accumulator should be taken into account, not forgetting the amount of water that will be in it after installation!
• Sometimes it is necessary to drain the water from the accumulator. Think ahead and do whatever is necessary in this case!
• Freezing of water in the accumulator is unacceptable. The room must be heated!
• The hydraulic accumulator and its elements, and the inlet parts of the water supply system should not be subjected to any static loading;
• Protect your guild accumulator from moisture and mechanical damage outside;
• If you are lucky and you need a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of, for example, 750 liters, estimate in advance how you will get a large tank into the house (door openings, etc.)

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: connection diagram.

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: malfunctions

Accumulator malfunctions are overwhelmingly removable - it is ideal to invite a specialist for this, but you can do a lot yourself.

Does the pump run too often? This is a signal of several possible malfunctions your accumulator:

• The container may not contain compressed air... You can fix the problem simply by pumping air with a car pump;
• Membrane may be damaged... You should replace it by contacting specialists or yourself. Be sure to read about replacing the membrane. It is imperative to use only the original membrane (or, as we say, our own);
• Damaged case... This breakdown speaks for itself. It is necessary to repair the case by contacting professionals;
• Difference between pressure too small, at which the pump is turned on, and by the pressure at which the pump is turned off. It is necessary to change the pressure on and off the pump (on the pressure switch).
• Is water leaking from the air valve? The membrane is clearly damaged. It is necessary to change, again in service center preferable, and if independently, then only on the original!
• The air pressure has dropped below the calculated value? The nipple is to blame, it should be purged, restoring the pressure inside.

Has the water pressure dropped below normal (no “head”)?

There may be two reasons for this:

1. Lack of compressed air in the accumulator. Then we upload it there!
2. Or the pump does not provide the required pressure. We need to check the pump, Maybe there is a malfunction in it. Or he cannot cope with the load according to his technical data.

Hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems: prices

The price of the accumulator is different. The price is influenced by the volume, trademark, country of the tank manufacturer. Also, prices vary depending on the region of Russia in which the accumulators are sold. It is believed that a Chinese-made hydraulic accumulator with a capacity of 24 liters can be purchased for 1200 rubles at retail.

On the Internet, the cost of accumulators for water supply systems is from 1100 rubles to 7500.

Let's summarize

When dealing with a water supply system, we usually think of the pump as the most important thing in it. If the pump is working properly, then there is also water.

But after all, the pump, taking water from a well, a well, or the same water supply system, pumps it into a hydraulic accumulator, let's say even more precisely, into a rubber membrane or a pear inside it.

Water is pumped into the accumulator. Having reached a certain point, the pressure set during the setting gives a signal to the pump to stop pumping water.

And only when the shower is working or Washer, or another water flow occurs, the pressure sensors give a signal to the pump to resume operation.

The hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems protects and our water supply, and the pump itself, and energy, and even more so our nerves.

Its size and pump power can be calculated, it is inexpensive, maintenance is not difficult, and repairs are not burdensome.

It is the accumulator that belongs to those things that can make your Vacation home really modern comfortable!

A hydraulic accumulator is a special metal sealed container containing an elastic membrane inside and a certain volume of water under a certain pressure.

A hydraulic accumulator (in other words, a membrane tank, a hydraulic tank) is used to maintain a stable pressure in the water supply system, protects the water pump from premature wear due to frequent switching on, and protects the water supply system from possible water hammer. When the power is turned off, thanks to the accumulator, you will always be with a small supply of water.

Here are the main functions that a hydraulic accumulator performs in a water supply system:

1. Protection of the pump from premature wear. Due to the water supply in the membrane tank, when the water tap is opened, the pump will turn on only if the water supply in the tank runs out. Any pump has a certain rate of inclusions per hour, therefore, thanks to the hydraulic accumulator, the pump will have a supply of unused inclusions, which will increase its service life.
2. Maintaining constant pressure in the water supply system, protection against water pressure drops. Due to pressure drops, when several taps are turned on at the same time, sharp fluctuations in water temperature occur, for example, in the shower and in the kitchen. The accumulator copes successfully with such unpleasant situations.
3. Protection against water hammer, which can occur when the pump is turned on, and can spoil the pipeline in order.
4. Maintaining a supply of water in the system, which allows you to use water even during a power outage, which happens quite often nowadays. This function is especially valuable in country houses.

Accumulator device

The sealed body of this device is divided by a special membrane into two chambers, one of which is designed for water, and the other for air.

Water does not come into contact with the metal surfaces of the body, as it is located in a water chamber-membrane made of strong butyl rubber material, resistant to bacteria, which meets all hygienic and sanitary standards for drinking water.

The air chamber contains a pneumatic valve, the purpose of which is to regulate the pressure. Water enters the accumulator through a special threaded connection pipe.

The accumulator device must be mounted in such a way that it can be easily disassembled in the event of repair or maintenance, without draining all the water from the system.

The diameters of the connecting pipeline and the discharge branch pipe should, if possible, coincide with each other, then this will avoid unwanted hydraulic losses in the system pipeline.

In the membranes of accumulators with a volume of more than 100 liters, there is a special valve for bleeding the air released from the water. For small-capacity accumulators in which there is no such valve, a device for bleeding air, for example, a tee or a tap, which blocks the main line of the water supply system, must be provided in the water supply system.

In the air valve of the accumulator, the pressure should be 1.5-2 atm.

The principle of operation of the accumulator

The accumulator works like this. The pump supplies water under pressure to the accumulator diaphragm. When the pressure threshold is reached, the relay turns off the pump and water stops flowing. After the pressure begins to drop during water intake, the pump automatically turns on again and supplies water to the accumulator membrane. The larger the volume of the hydraulic tank, the more effective the result of its work. The actuation of the pressure switch can be adjusted.

During the operation of the accumulator, air dissolved in water gradually accumulates in the membrane, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance of the accumulator, bleeding off the accumulated air. The frequency of preventive maintenance depends on the volume of the hydraulic tank and the frequency of its operation, which is approximately once every 1-3 months.

These devices can be in vertical or horizontal configuration.

The principle of operation of the devices does not differ, except that vertical accumulators with a volume of more than 50 liters in the upper part have a special valve for bleeding air, which gradually accumulates in the water supply system during operation. Air accumulates in the upper part of the device, therefore, the location of the bleed valve is chosen precisely in the upper part.

In horizontal devices for bleeding air, a special tap or drain is mounted, which is installed behind the accumulator.

From devices of small sizes, regardless of whether they are vertical or horizontal, air is vented by completely draining the water.

Choosing the shape of the hydraulic tank, proceed from the dimensions of the technical room where they will be installed. It all depends on the dimensions of the device: which one fits better into the space allotted for it, this will be installed, regardless of whether it is horizontal or vertical.

Accumulator connection diagram

Depending on the assigned functions, the connection diagram of the accumulator to the water supply system may be different. The most popular schemes for connecting hydraulic accumulators are given below.

Such pumping stations are installed where there is a lot of water consumption. As a rule, one of the pumps at such stations runs constantly.
On the upward pumping station the accumulator serves to reduce pressure surges during the activation of additional pumps and to compensate for small water drawdowns.

Such a scheme is also widely used when there is a frequent interruption in the supply of electricity to the booster pumps in the water supply system, and the presence of water is vital. Then the water supply in the accumulator saves the situation, playing the role of a reserve source for this period.

The larger and more powerful the pumping station, and the more pressure it must maintain, the larger the volume of the hydraulic accumulator, which acts as a damper, must be.
The buffer capacity of the hydraulic tank also depends on the volume of the required supply of water, and on the difference in pressure when the pump is turned on and off.

For long and trouble-free operation submersible pump must make from 5 to 20 inclusions per hour, which is indicated in its technical characteristics.

When the pressure in the water supply system drops to the minimum value, the pressure switch automatically turns on, and at the maximum value it turns off. Even the smallest water consumption, especially in small water supply systems, can lower the pressure to a minimum, which will instantly give a command to turn on the pump, because the water leak is compensated by the pump instantly, and after a few seconds, when the water supply is replenished, the relay will turn off the pump. Thus, with minimal water consumption, the pump will run almost idle. This mode of operation adversely affects the operation of the pump and can quickly damage it. The situation can be corrected by a hydraulic accumulator, which always has the necessary supply of water and successfully compensates for its insignificant consumption, and also protects the pump from frequent switching on.

In addition, the accumulator connected to the circuit smooths out a sharp increase in pressure in the system when the submersible pump is turned on.

The volume of the hydraulic tank is selected depending on the frequency of switching on and the power of the pump, the flow rate of water per hour and the height of its installation.

For storage water heater in the wiring diagram, the accumulator plays the role of an expansion tank. As water heats up, it expands, increasing the volume in the water supply system, and since it does not have the property of contracting, the very minimum increase in volume in a confined space increases pressure and can lead to the destruction of the elements of the water heater. Here, too, a hydraulic tank will come to the rescue. Its volume will directly depend and increase from an increase in the volume of water in the water heater, an increase in the temperature of the heated water and an increase in the maximum allowable pressure in the water supply system.

The accumulator is connected in front of the booster pump along the water flow. It is needed to protect against a sharp drop in pressure in the water supply network at the moment the pump is turned on.

The capacity of the accumulator for the pumping station will be the greater, the more water is used in the water supply system and the smaller the difference between the upper and lower pressure scales in the water supply in front of the pump.

How to install a hydraulic accumulator?

From the foregoing, it can be understood that the device of the hydroaccumulator is absolutely not like an ordinary water tank. This device is constantly in operation, the membrane is in dynamics all the time. Therefore, the installation of the accumulator is not so easy. The tank must be strengthened during installation reliably, with a margin of safety, noise and vibration. Therefore, the tank is fixed to the floor through rubber gaskets, and to the pipeline through flexible rubber adapters. You need to know that at the inlet of the hydraulic system, the cross-section of the supply line should not narrow. And another one important detail: For the first time, fill the tank very carefully and slowly, using a low pressure of water, in case the rubber bulb has stuck together from a long inactivity, and with a sharp pressure of water, it may be damaged. It is best to remove all air from the pear before commissioning.

Installation of the accumulator should be carried out so that during operation it was possible to freely approach it. It is better to entrust this task to experienced specialists, since very often the tank breaks down due to some unaccounted, but important trifle, for example, due to a discrepancy in the diameter of the pipes, unregulated pressure, etc. Experiments cannot be carried out here, because the normal operation of the water supply system is at stake.

Here you have brought the purchased hydraulic tank into the house. What to do with it next? It is immediately necessary to find out the level of pressure inside the tank. Usually the manufacturer pumps it up to 1.5 atm, but there are cases when, due to a leak, by the time of sale, the indicators decrease. To make sure that the indicator is correct, you need to unscrew the decorative cap on an ordinary automotive spool and check the pressure.

How can you check it? Usually a pressure gauge is used for this. It can be electronic, mechanical automotive (with a metal case) and plastic, which is supplied with some pump models. It is important that the pressure gauge has greater accuracy, since even 0.5 atm changes the quality of the hydraulic tank, so it is better not to use plastic pressure gauges, as they give a very large error in the readings. These are usually Chinese models in a weak plastic case. Electronic pressure gauges are affected by battery charge and temperature, and they are very expensive. That's why the best option is an ordinary car pressure gauge that has passed the test. The scale should be in a small number of divisions to be able to measure the pressure more accurately. If the scale is designed for 20 atm, and you need to measure only 1-2 atm, then you should not expect high accuracy.

If there is less air in the tank, then there is a greater supply of water, but the difference in pressure between an empty and almost full tank will be very significant. It's all about preference. If it is necessary that the water supply constantly has a high water pressure, then the pressure in the tank must be at least 1.5 atm. And for household needs, 1 atm may well be enough.

At a pressure of 1.5 atm, the hydraulic tank has a smaller water supply, because of which the pumping pump will turn on more often, and in the absence of light, the water supply in the tank may simply not be enough. In the second case, you will have to sacrifice pressure, because you can take a shower with a massage when the tank is full, and as it becomes empty, only a bath.

When you decide what is more important to you, you can set the desired operating mode, that is, either pump air into the tank, or bleed off excess air.

It is undesirable to reduce the pressure below the 1 atm mark, as well as excessively exceed it. A pear filled with water with insufficient pressure will touch the walls of the tank, and can quickly become unusable. And excessive pressure will not allow pumping a sufficient volume of water, since most of the tank will be occupied by air.

Pressure switch setting

You also need to adjust the pressure switch. Opening the lid, you will see two nuts and two springs: large (P) and small (delta P). With their help, you can set the maximum and minimum pressure levels at which the pump turns on and off. A large spring is responsible for turning on the pump and pressure. By design, you can see that it kind of helps the water to close the contacts.

With the help of a small spring, the pressure difference is set, which is specified in all instructions. But the instructions do not indicate a starting point. It turns out that the point of reference is the spring nut P, ​​that is, the lower limit. The lower spring, which is responsible for the pressure difference, resists the water pressure and pushes the movable plate away from the contacts.

When the correct air pressure has already been set, you can connect the accumulator to the system. Having connected it, you need to carefully observe the pressure gauge. On all accumulators, the values ​​of normal and maximum pressures are indicated, the excess of which is unacceptable. Manual disconnection of the pump from the network occurs when the normal pressure of the accumulator is reached, when the limit value of the pump head is reached. This occurs when the pressure rise stops.

The power of the pump is usually not enough to pump the tank to the limit, but there is even no special need for this, because when pumping, the service life of both the pump and the pear is reduced. Most often, the pressure limit for shutdown is set 1 to 2 atm higher than the enable.

For example, when the pressure gauge reads 3 atm, which is enough for the needs of the owner of the pumping station, you need to turn off the pump and slowly rotate the nut of the small spring (delta P) to decrease, until the mechanism is triggered. After that, you need to open the tap and drain the water from the system. Observing the pressure gauge, it is necessary to note the value at which the relay turns on - this is the lower pressure limit when the pump is turned on. This indicator should be slightly more than the pressure indicator in the empty accumulator (by 0.1-0.3 atm). This will make it possible for the pear to last for a longer period of time.

When the nut of the large spring P rotates, the lower limit is set. To do this, you need to turn on the pump to the network and wait until the pressure reaches the desired level. After that, it is necessary to adjust the nut of the small spring "delta P" and complete the adjustment of the accumulator.

In the air chamber of the accumulator, the pressure should be 10% lower than the pressure when the pump is turned on.

The exact indicator of air pressure can be measured only when the tank is disconnected from the water supply system, in the absence of water pressure. The air pressure must be constantly monitored and adjusted as necessary, which will add a lifetime to the membrane. Also, in order to continue the normal functioning of the diaphragm, a large pressure drop must not be allowed when the pump is turned on and off. A drop of 1.0-1.5 atm is normal. Stronger pressure drops reduce the life of the membrane, stretching it strongly, moreover, such pressure drops do not make it possible to use water comfortably.

Hydraulic accumulators can be installed in places with low humidity, not susceptible to flooding, so that the flange of the device will successfully serve for many years.

When choosing a brand of accumulator, it is necessary to pay special attention to the quality of the material from which the membrane is made, to check the certificates and sanitary and hygienic conclusions, making sure that the hydraulic tank is designed for systems with drinking water. You also need to make sure you have spare flanges and diaphragms, which should be included so that in the event of a problem you do not have to buy a new hydraulic tank.

The maximum pressure of the accumulator, for which it is designed, must be no less than the maximum pressure in the water supply system. Therefore, most devices can withstand a pressure of 10 atm.

To determine how much water can be used from the accumulator when the electricity is turned off, when the pump stops pumping water from the water supply system, you can use the diaphragm tank filling table. The water supply will depend on the setting of the pressure switch. The higher the pressure difference when the pump is turned on and off, the more water will be in the accumulator. But this difference is limited for the reasons stated above. Consider a table.

Here we see that in a 200 liter membrane tank with the pressure switch settings, when the pump is turned on at 1.5 bar, the pump is turned off at 3.0 bar, the air pressure is 1.3 bar, the water supply will be only 69 liters, which is about a third of the total volume of the tank. ...

Calculation of the required volume of the accumulator

To calculate the accumulator, use the following formula:

Vt = K * A max * ((Pmax + 1) * (Pmin +1)) / (Pmax- Pmin) * (Pair + 1),

• Amax - maximum flow rate of liters of water per minute;
• K is a coefficient that depends on the power of the pump motor;
• Pmax - pressure when the pump is turned off, bar;
• Pmin - pressure when the pump is turned on, bar;
• Air - air pressure in the accumulator, bar.

As an example, we will select the required minimum volume of a hydroaccumulator for the water supply system, taking, for example, the Aquarius BTsPE 0.5-40 U pump with the following parameters:

Using the formula, we calculate the minimum volume of GA, which is 31.41 liters.

Therefore, we choose the next closest GA size, which is 35 liters.

The volume of the tank in the range of 25-50 liters is ideally consistent with all methods for calculating the volume of HA for domestic plumbing systems, as well as with the empirical purposes of different manufacturers of pumping equipment.

With frequent power outages, it is advisable to choose a larger tank, but at the same time it should be remembered that water can only fill the tank by 1/3 of the total volume. The more powerful the pump is installed in the system, the larger the volume of the accumulator should be. This dimensional alignment will reduce the number of pump strokes and extend the life of the pump motor.

If you bought a large-volume hydroaccumulator, you need to know that if water is not used regularly, it stagnates in the GA tank and its quality deteriorates. Therefore, when choosing a hydraulic tank in a store, you need to take into account the maximum volume of water used in the water supply system at home. Indeed, with a low water consumption, it is much more expedient to use a tank with a volume of 25-50 liters than 100-200 liters, in which water will be wasted.

Repair and maintenance of a hydraulic accumulator

Even the simplest hydraulic tanks require attention and care, like any working and useful device.

There are different reasons for repairing a hydraulic accumulator. These are corrosion, dents in the body, violation of the integrity of the membrane or a violation of the tightness of the tank. There are also many other reasons that oblige the owner to repair the hydraulic tank. In order to prevent serious damage, it is necessary to regularly inspect the surface of the accumulator, monitor its operation in order to prevent possible problems... It is not enough to inspect the GA twice a year, as stipulated in the instructions. After all, you can eliminate one malfunction today, and tomorrow you will not pay attention to another problem that has arisen, which within six months will turn into irreparable and can lead to the failure of the hydraulic tank. Therefore, the accumulator must be inspected at every opportunity, so as not to miss the slightest malfunctions, and to carry out their repairs in time.

Causes of breakdowns and their elimination

The reason for the breakdown of the expansion tank may be too frequent switching on and off of the pump, water outlet through the valve, weak water pressure, weak air pressure (below the calculated one), weak water pressure after the pump.

How to fix a hydroaccumulator malfunction with your own hands? The reason for the repair of the accumulator may be low air pressure or its absence in the membrane tank, damage to the membrane, damage to the casing, a large difference in pressure when the pump is turned on and off, or the wrong volume of the hydraulic tank.

You can troubleshoot as follows:

• to increase the air pressure, it is necessary to pump it through the tank nipple with a garage pump or compressor;
• a damaged membrane can be restored at a service center;
• the damaged case and its tightness is also eliminated in the service center;
• the difference in pressure can be corrected by setting too large a differential in accordance with the frequency of pump starts;
• the sufficiency of the tank volume must be determined before installing it in the system.

Hydroaccumulator- this is the necessary element of the station in household systems water supply, designed to take on a certain volume of liquid, and excess pressure.

Let's take a closer look at why you need to connect a hydraulic accumulator:

1. The need to accumulate a certain volume of fluid;
2. The need to take excess pressure;
3. The need to damp hydraulic shocks in the system;
4. Water pressure support even when the pump is off;
5. The accumulator gives the pump a break, it turns on much less often;
6. At peak fluid consumption, the accumulator softens them.

For a clearer perception of the function and device of the hydroaccumulator in yours, remember the design and purpose of the water towers. Their function was to store water and provide water pressure in the system.

At the same time, the pump takes water from the well and pumps it into the accumulator, or more precisely, into the pear or rubber membrane inside the tank.

What is a membrane water supply tank for? When organizing an autonomous water supply to a private house from wells or wells, it is necessary to create an emergency supply of water. An expansion tank for water supply is perfect for these purposes. These containers are practical, have a large volume, but to ensure a normal operating mode, it is necessary to use a number of devices, and not be limited to only one installation.

When a tank is included in the water supply system, the autonomy of the water supply significantly increases. The created stock will allow solving problems with water supply that may arise during and during maintenance of equipment and a well. At the moment, the industry produces a huge number of different models, which significantly complicates the choice.

When a tank is included in the water supply system, the autonomy of the water supply is significantly increased.

An expansion tank for water supply is used to maintain the required pressure level with an autonomous water supply. Most often, membrane (expansion tanks) are used for these purposes. These are containers, inside of which there are rubber membranes that divide the tank into chambers. One chamber is water, the other is air.

The tank is connected to the water supply system of the autonomous water supply system so that the inlet branch supplies water to the tank, filling it, and only after filling a certain volume, water is supplied to consumers.

The principle of operation is as follows: when the system is turned on (started), the pump pumps water into the water chamber until it is filled. In this case, the volume of the second chamber is significantly reduced. When the air chamber contracts, the air volume inside it does not change, therefore, the pressure on the membrane increases. Accordingly, the pressure in the system increases.

Expansion tanks use a membrane that divides it into 2 tanks, one with air and the other with liquid. In this case, it is necessary to have pressure control equipment (pressure switch) in the tank. This is necessary to automatically turn off the pump, the same sensor automatically starts the pump when the pressure in the tank drops below the programmed value. This will allow for the automatic operation of the entire water supply system.

An autonomous water supply system that independently supplies water to parsing points like in a city apartment has long ceased to be a wonder. This is the norm of suburban life, which just needs to be correctly designed, assembled and equipped with equipment capable of starting and stopping the system as you use the cranes.

The stable operation of an independent network will be ensured by an expansion tank for water supply. It will protect against water hammer, significantly extend the working life of pumping equipment, guarantee regular filling of the system with water, and eliminate the need to carry it in buckets.

We are glad to acquaint you with the features of the device and the principle of operation of the hydraulic accumulator. We have meticulously described the rules for choosing a membrane tank, the specifics of installation and connection. We have supplemented the information offered for consideration with useful illustrations, diagrams and video tutorials.

Features of the device and design

Different models of expansion tanks may have restrictions on the way of use - some are designed only to work with technical water others can be used for drinking water.

By design, accumulators are distinguished:

• reservoirs with a removable bulb;
• containers with a fixed membrane;
• hydraulic tanks without a membrane.

On one side of the tank with a removable membrane (for a tank with a bottom connection - at the bottom) there is a special threaded flange, to which the pear is attached. On the reverse side there is a nipple for pumping or bleeding air, gas. It is designed to be connected to a regular car pump.

In a tank with a removable bulb, water is pumped into the membrane without touching the metal surface. The diaphragm is replaced by unscrewing the flange held by the bolts. In large containers, to stabilize the filling, the back wall of the membrane is additionally attached to the nipple.

The service life of the removable bulb depends on the air pressure setting in the gas compartment of the accumulator. Sometimes, in order to create a larger supply of water, the user decreases the amount of air and increases the amount of water in the pear. This causes the diaphragm to touch the tank wall, causing rapid abrasion.

The inner space of the tank with a fixed membrane is divided by it into two compartments. One contains gas (air), the other receives water. The inner surface of such a tank is covered with moisture resistant paint.

Most often, tanks with a fixed membrane are used for heating systems. Since the membrane is an element that breaks down much faster, the service life of such a tank is shorter than that of devices with a removable bulb.

There are also hydraulic tanks without a membrane. In them, the compartments for water and air are not separated by anything. Their principle of operation is also based on the mutual pressure of water and air, but with such an open interaction, the two substances are mixed.

The advantage of such devices is the absence of a membrane or a pear, which is the weak link in conventional accumulators.

Externally, expansion tanks can be divided only into horizontal and vertical models, but their operating parameters can be very different

Diffusion of water and air forces the tanks to be serviced quite often. About once a season you have to pump up air, which gradually mixes with water. A significant decrease in the volume of air, even at normal pressure in the tank, causes the pump to turn on frequently.

Hydraulic accumulators in water supply systems reduce the likelihood of water hammer, protect pumps from unnecessarily frequent switching on, allow you to form a water supply and maintain pressure in the circuit

The principle of operation of the accumulator

The calculation of the total volume of a hydraulic tank for closed-type water supply is calculated using the following formula:

Vt = K * Amax * ((1 + Pmax) * (1 + Pmin)) / (Pmax-Pmin) * (1 + Pair),

• Vt is the total volume of the hydraulic tank;
• Amax - maximum possible water consumption per minute, liter;
• K - coefficient (see table), depending on the power of the pump;
• P max - relay settings when equipment is disconnected, bar;
• P min - relay settings at equipment startup, bar;
• P air. - pressure in the hydraulic tank (in its gas cavity), bar.

The K factor can be determined from the following table:

Table of the K coefficient, depending on the pump power, for calculating the total volume of a closed-type hydraulic tank for water supply

Some manufacturers also consider the volume of the hydraulic tank differently:

The Jilex company, engaged in the production of an extensive line of equipment for water supply and heating systems, offers another formula for express determination of the volume of a hydraulic tank

Horizontal and vertical orientation

The choice between a vertical and horizontal tank lies in the characteristics of the room. If the room is small or the volume of the container is impressive, then in order not to take up much space, a vertical container is installed.

The horizontal tank has a smaller capacity, can be hung on the wall, and also serve as a support for installing a surface pump. For its installation, special fasteners are provided. Large tanks are produced only in vertical design and are installed on legs.

Summarizing all of the above, it can be noted that the choice of a hydraulic accumulator has to be made between the following distinctive properties:

• operating pressure;
• manufacturer country;
• more or less volume;
• replaceable or not rubber membrane;
• membrane for industrial or drinking water;
• case material - stainless steel or enamelled steel.

So that in the future there are no difficulties with replacing components, it is better to choose the most popular device models. Rubber pears for them are always on sale, if you need an urgent replacement, you will not have to wait long for delivery.

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Hydraulic tanks connection diagrams

For a hot water supply system, it is carried out in the section of the circulation line, the suction line of the pump, closer to the water heater.

The tank is equipped with:

• pressure gauge, safety valve, air vent - safety group;
• shut-off valve with a device that prevents accidental overlap.

In a plumbing system where water heating equipment is present, the device takes over the functions of an expansion tank.

Installation diagram in the GW system: 1 - hydraulic tank; 2 - safety valve; 3 - pumping equipment; 4 - filtration element; 5 - check valve; 6 - shut-off valve

In the XB system, the main rule for installation is at the beginning of the piping, closer to the pump.

The connection diagram must contain:

• non-return and shut-off valve;
• security group.

Connection diagrams can be very different. The connected hydraulic tank normalizes the operation of the equipment, reducing the number of pump starts per unit of time and thereby extending its service life.

Installation diagram in the cold water system with a well: 1 - tank; 2 - check valve; 3 - shut-off valve; 4 - pressure control relay; 5 - pumping equipment control device; 6 - security group

The listed steps were required for the arrangement of the hydroaccumulator piping, which was carried out on the day surface. For further actions, you need to move to the caisson.

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To connect the electrical part, remove the cover from the pressure switch housing using a flat screwdriver

We put stripped wires into the input holes in the relay, fix them in the terminals with a Phillips screwdriver

After the final assembly of the system, it remains to conduct control tests and start the water supply circuit.

Features of adjusting the accumulator

Expansion tanks for water supply are sold with the manufacturer's standard settings - often the pressure in the air compartment is already set at 1.5 bar. The permissible pressure is always indicated on the label and the manufacturer does not recommend deviating from the specified parameters, especially in the direction of increasing it.

Before proceeding with the adjustment, the system is disconnected from the mains and the shut-off valves are closed. The membrane tank is completely emptied by draining the water - an accurate pressure reading can only be measured when the water compartment is empty.

Further, the pressure readings are taken using an accurate pressure gauge. To do this, remove the decorative cap from the spool and bring the device. If the pressure differs from the required one, then it is adjusted by pumping or bleeding off excess air.

Considering that the manufacturer is against deviations from the recommended pressure indicators, it is necessary at the design stage to select suitable equipment, the parameters of which will not conflict with each other.

When adjusting the pressure in the gas compartment of the tank, the manufacturer fills it with an inert gas, for example, dried nitrogen. This prevents corrosion of the inner surface. Therefore, users are also advised to use technical nitrogen to increase the pressure.

Setting the tank pressure in the water supply system

The pressure in the closed tank is always set slightly lower (by 10%) than the pressure level when the pump is started. By adjusting the pressure in the device, you can adjust the water pressure. The lower the gas pressure in the hydraulic tank (but not less than 1 bar), the more it will hold water.

At the same time, the pressure will become uneven - strong when the tank is full and increasingly weaker when it is empty. To ensure a strong and even flow of water, the pressure in the chamber with air or gas is set within 1.5 bar.

The water pressure in the water supply system is set using a relay. When adjusting the pressure in the expansion chamber, these values ​​must be taken into account.

Adjustment of the hydraulic tank in the piping of the water heater

The expansion tank, which is used for hot water supply, should initially be free of water. The pressure in the device is set at an indicator that is 0.2 more than the upper threshold for turning off the pump.

For example, if the relay is set to shut off the equipment at a pressure of 4 bar, the pressure in the gas compartment of the expansion vessel should be set at 4.2 bar.

Installed in the piping of the water heater, the tank does not serve to maintain pressure. It is designed to compensate for expansion when the water is heated. If you set the pressure in it to a lower value, then there will always be water in the tank.

Hydraulic tank maintenance rules

Routine inspection of the expansion tank is to check the pressure in the gas compartment. It is also necessary to inspect the valves, valves, air vent, check the operation of the pressure gauge, etc. To ensure the integrity of the tank, an external inspection is carried out.

During preventive maintenance, the pressure in the hydraulic tank should be measured and corrected if necessary.

Despite the simplicity of the device, expansion tanks for water supply still do not last forever and can break. Typical reasons are diaphragm rupture or air loss through the nipple. Signs of breakdowns can be determined by the frequent operation of the pump, the appearance of noise in the water supply system. Understanding how the accumulator works is the first step to proper maintenance and troubleshooting.

Open type hydraulic tank installation

The open-type device is used less and less, since it requires constant user intervention in its work. An open expansion tank is a leaky container that serves to form, accumulate water, and also serves as an expansion chamber.

Connect to the tank: a drain valve, branch pipes for recirculation and supply pipes, control and overflow pipes

The tank is installed above the uppermost plumbing point, for example, in the attic, water enters the system by gravity. Each meter the device rises increases the pressure in the water supply by 0.1 atmospheres.

To automate the process of providing water, the tank is equipped with a float switch and an automatic relay is installed that will turn on and off the pump.

The container is mounted in a frost-free room, covered with a lid from dust and debris, and the walls are wrapped mineral wool or other insulation

This method of organizing water supply requires regular monitoring by the user, otherwise the water can freeze at negative temperatures (if the room is not heated). The liquid will evaporate, so you will have to constantly top up.

Movie # 3. The nuances of choosing hydraulic tanks for water supply:

Even at the stage of planning and development of a water supply system, it is necessary to think over everything fundamentally important points and calculate all the parameters. If you are not sure of the infallibility of your calculations and the right choice a hydraulic tank for water supply, it is better to consult a specialist.

Most firms that sell professional equipment provide advice or even carry out calculations for free. This will help you avoid mistakes and unnecessary expenses.

We are waiting for your comments with stories about our own experience in using the expansion tank, with questions that arose during the review of the information provided. We are interested in your comments and possible suggestions. You can comment on the material in the block below.