Accumulator for water supply systems: types, models, prices

In this article we will talk about this very important instrument, as the accumulator for water supply systems. Usually it is set to autonomous network with tap water intake from the well or wells. The thing is that the pitfalls of such a network a lot. Namely:

• hammering, which lead pipework and equipment failure;
• Full time job pump, Reducing its service life;
• unstable pressure in the entire water supply network;
• its complete incapacity during a power failure, it is very often the case in country towns.

In order to cope with all these problems, and was created by the accumulator.

What is an accumulator: the device and principle of operation

Basically, it is a steel tank. In it two pipes, one connected to a pump through a pipe, a second water network. That is, it is an intermediary. It consists of the following elements:

1. himself tank with a certain volumeWhich is selected on the basis of the required water for a country house.
2. Inside it is placed membraneIt made of durable butyl rubber. It is elastic and can expand. It was in her and will be supplied water. Membrane for accumulator - a bag sealingly mounted within the tank. air or nitrogen is injected under a predetermined pressure between it and the walls of the container.
3. Pneumatic valve. Its purpose control and bleed air pressure between the membrane and the tank walls.
4. bracketsTo which the accumulator must be secured.

Most manufacturers are completed device following elements: connecting pipes, a pressure gauge and a valve, via which pressure can be reset manually.

It should be added that the accumulator - a folding device. You can open it from the installation of the incoming and outgoing connections. This is done deliberately in order to carry out maintenance work or replacement of the rubber membrane. Prevention it is necessary to carry out, on the frequency of the manufacturer indicates in the data sheet. Its purpose - to clear the membrane from contamination and salt, because they reduce the volume of the instrument.

Attention! Today the market offers two types of accumulators: blue and red. So blue storage tank - is for water, red for heating and hot water.

Two varieties differ not only in color but also used inside the container membrane. For heating of tires mounted superalloy rubber, which will not change under high temperatures. These tanks are more expensive. They were in the water supply system can be installed, but the blue in the heating system can not be.

The operating principle of the accumulator in the water system

Thus, water from a well or a well supplied to the interior of the water supply system, where the storage tank is installed. She falls into his rubber container that begins to expand. In this case the injected air or nitrogen into the container starts to shrink. That is, it increases the pressure. Installed inside the tank relayWhich responds to air pressure differences.

It is configured so as to disable operation of the pump when a certain pressure value. In this steady pressure inside the tank pushes the water in the water system. That is, it turns out that the pressure inside the accumulator - it is the pressure in the water.

When using domestic water pressure in the water begins to fall, it falls within the tank, respectively. As soon as the value reaches the minimum figure that is configured at the factory, relay operates and includes a pump for filling the tank of a new portion of water.

Classification of hydraulic tanks for water storage

There are several indicators that carry out the separation of accumulators for independent water supply:

• By volume of the tank. There is no standard classification, simply taking into account water consumption devices are divided into small - it's up to 50 liters, the average - in the range of 100-150 liters, and more - from 180 to 400 liters. The latter group is not often used in a domestic environment.

• the execution - a horizontal and vertical. In principle, any significant advantages of one over the other is not. Simple vertical model takes up less space. Therefore, if the water treatment chamber arranged in a small room, the purchase of the vertical model is justified. However, to open it and clean or replace the rubber bag, you have to disconnect the unit from the water supply network, laid on its side, and perform any repairs or preventive measures.

• MaterialFrom which the accumulator is made. Basically it is stainless steel, but there are simply steel tanks, the inner surface of which is coated with enamel.
• on the deviceThrough which air is discharged. There are two positions: valve that removes the air by hand, and the automatic air vent. The first embodiment is mainly installed in small drives water.

What to look for when choosing a water hydraulic accumulator

• The main parameter to which you should pay attention to is volume hydraulic accumulator. It depends on the water consumption in the home. The larger the value, the larger the tank must be purchased. It should be noted that the pump is chosen exactly the same principle, so the two devices at the same time you have to buy, and better from one manufacturer.

• The second criterion of choice - it is the pressure in the water network. This parameter depends on the size of the house. The extensive network of water supply, the more her customers (cranes, mixers and toilets), More floors, the pressure in the tank must be greater. Generally, the pressure in the small inexpensive models is less than 2 atm, usually 1.5 atm. For a large home in three or four stories is too little. Although it is such a model, and set to this option. Above can not be, can break the device.
• The third criterion - the type pump. Their two submersible and surface. The first lowered into the borehole or well into the water, the second set on the ground surface and falls down into the water pipe or hose. Here, the alignment of this - for submersible pumps accumulator must be a large amount. All the matter is that the greater the distance between the tank and the pump, the greater the pressure loss. And as one between the submerged tank and the distance is always large, and the volume capacity should be greater that the pump is not switched frequently.

How to calculate the amount of storage for home water systems

Volume calculation gidroakuumlyatora is simple, just need to know the formula:

V =K × Nmax × (Pmax + 1) × (Pmin+1)/(Pmax—Pmin)— (P + 1)where

• TO - a power coefficient used by the pump unit;
• Nmax - maximum water flow (planned);
• Pmax - maximum pressure in the accumulator (passport value);
• Pmin - a minimum pressure (passport value);
• R - air pressure between the membrane and the tank wall (1.5-2.0 atm).

With regard to the pump power coefficient, its value depends on the power of the device:

With regard to the planned water flow, we have to sum all consumers, or rather, the amount of water passing through them for a certain period of time. Here are the default settings flow hygienic devices:

As practice shows, often in suburban homes used storage tanks with capacity of 25-50 liters. Large size to take is not recommended because of the high cost. But if a power outage in the village of frequent and prolonged, then you should pay attention to the oil tank capacity of 70-100 liters.

How much pressure should be in the accumulator

At the factory a hydraulic accumulator is filled with air to a pressure of 1.5 atm. In some reservoirs, it can reach up to 1.8-2.0 atm. If cottage with a small tube wiring, then 1 atm. will be sufficient. Although it is not enough for a shower.

But it happens, and so that the air for some reasons to pit, and inside the tank the pressure is not enough. What to do in this case. Firstly, you must understand what the pressure needed to supply water. There is a simple formula:

P = (H + 6) / 10where

H - the vertical distance from the accumulator to the uppermost point of water use in the home.

For example, the device is installed on the first floor, the ceiling height of 3 m, and the last consumer - the sink in the bathroom - is set on the second floor. It is necessary to calculate the parameter "H". This 3 m height of the first floor, and 1.5 m - is the distance from the floor to the installation place of the mixer. It turns out that H = 4.5m Substituting this value in the formula and obtain.: P = (4.5 + 6) / 10 = 10.5 / 10 = 1.05 atm. That is, in this arrangement, the standard pressure in the accumulator volume of 24 liters or more is sufficient to provide good pressure from consumers on the second floor of the house.

It should be noted that the horizontal distance from the consumer to the storage capacitance value almost does not matter. Here, the pressure loss is very small and the difference between vertical and horizontal in this plan is 200. That is, if in this example the vertical loss is 1.05 atm, then it will be horizontally 1,05 / 200 = 0.005 atm.

Often it turns out that inside the accumulator pressure is greater than required. To bring him back to normal, we must first check the actual state of the air. At the rear there nipple accumulator, through which air is discharged. It is closed by a plastic cap which must be removed. Check the pressure gauge can be any, even the road, as long as the fittings fit together. And the more accurate measurement of the pressure gauge, the better. If the pressure inside the tank is low, it is necessary to pump air back through the same nipple any pump, even road.

Air pressure in the accumulator tank 50 liters better support is greater than 1.5 atm. Although all again will depend on the desired water pressure.

To adjust the pressure

For maximum and minimum pressure in the hydraulic tank with automatic switch responds. This device not only controls the parameters of the air and water, but also gives the opportunity to change them. The photo below shows how the relay. Configuring it possible to reduce the number of inclusions of the pumping unit. To do this, simply turn the clamping nut on the large spring clockwise. The latter will be compressed and will not decompress low pressure, that is, will not close the contacts, which include pump.

Attention! Setting the pressure switch should be carried out only with the pump running.

In this manner, the upper pressure regulated. To adjust the minimum, it is necessary to tighten the nut on the small spring in the same way as in the large. Adjusting the two springs can be precisely set the difference between the two pressures: the minimum and maximum.

And one more recommendation regarding the setting. The air pressure inside the accumulator to be lower than the pressure created by the pump by 10%.

How to conduct a hydraulic accumulator unit for water systems with their own hands

First we need to understand the connection diagrams accumulators. There are several, but let's talk about two, because we are interested in an autonomous water supply system with water intake by the pump without step-up station.

Wiring Diagrams

• This is when the accumulator is installed downstream of the pump. Usually, this scheme is used when the network is installed a submersible pump. In this case, the storage tank itself can be installed near the well or inside the house. If the first option is taken, the unit will have insulated or mounted in the insulated caisson.

• Hydraulic tank is mounted to the pump. This scheme is acceptable, if in the water system uses surface pumping unit. Today, manufacturers offer installation, composed and pump and hydraulic accumulator mounted on a stand.

Related article:

The pressure regulator in the water system. Design and operation of the device, species, step by step instructions for installing, review of manufacturers and models, average prices, tips and advice - our publication.

Connecting the accumulator to the water system

Talk about some complicated circuit connection technology is not necessary. It's simple enough, because the tank is connected to the water pipes or strictly through an American or using flexible hoses. Last go as completing components in some models.

Important! Similarly, to determine the installation location, to carry out the installation of the storage tank, and then connect it to the water supply. Accumulator can be installed on the floor, on the wall. In the latter case it is necessary to prepare a bracket mounted from angle steel. The only requirement - is placed under the foot pad of the device, which will mitigate the vibration of the unit.

The video below shows how to correctly collect a liner expansion tank:

Checking system

the whole system is assembled and connected, it remains to see how it works. To do this, turn on the pump, fill the accumulator and discover the most distant consumer, better mixer in the bathroom. If it is the water pressure is normal, then it is good. Then you have to open all the customers and see how the pressure smaller. If in this case you are satisfied, then take it is necessary nothing.

If the pressure has become much smaller, the need to increase the maximum pressure inside the tank, as described above. But, as practice shows, the factory 1.5 atm. enough to make even in high-rise building water pressure was normal.

Which company accumulator for water supply systems are better

Today to buy accumulator for water supply system - is faced with a huge range. Manufacturers of all stripes offer their products, playing the price. It is therefore important to choose the right device.

We must start with the fact that each manufacturer has its own Internet site, which describes the model, size, specifications and other information. If you offered in the store brand does not have a site, and the manufacturer does not. You are misleading. Such a device need to get round.

Today the country of origin - is not necessarily the location of the manufacturer. That is, the brand can be a European, a very well-known and established production in China. But it does not mean that devices with lower performance - not a selection criterion.

Now for the best brands and companies. Probably, it is impossible to say that a certain brand is better than another. Just between the two may be different, but not very big, because he accumulator - designs for a simple device. Consider a few items to compare. We show the prices of hydraulic accumulators for water supply of 50 liters and compare their characteristics. This will take into account the horizontal and vertical models.

Model	Characteristics	price, rub.
	The membrane material - EPDM Flanged - or galvanized or plastic Thread connection tubes - 25 mm Instrument weight - 9 kg	2500-3000
	Membrane - EPDM Flanges - or galvanized or plastic compound thread - 25 mm Weight - 8.1 kg	2600
	The maximum water pressure - 10 atm. Maximum temperature - 100 ° C + The membrane material - EPDM Body - steel The air pressure of 1.5 atm. Weight - 11 kg	4500
	The maximum water pressure - 10 atm. Air - 1.5 atm. Maximum temperature - 100 ° C Material EPDM membrane Steel case Weight 12 kg	4300
	water pressure - 10, air - 1.5 Temperature up to + 99 ° C Membrane - butyl Body - steel Compound 25 mm Weight 10.4 kg Manufacturer - China	2500

Prices for hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems of 70, 80 or 100 liters, and so on will no longer mean large.

What still needs accumulator

Thus, the main reason - to get the pump to work as little as possible. The second - to create a network to tap a reserve of water that will be used if for some reason the pump stopped working. And the third - the water pressure in the water.

If you have any questions regarding the selection, the editors of our site is ready to help you with this. Write in the comments of your questions, someone will share his experience.

And finally, a short but very informative video on today's topic: