A hydraulic accumulator is an extremely useful device, both for organizing autonomous water supply and for improving the performance of a system connected to a central water supply.
The master, who has at least minimal experience in performing plumbing, will install the hydraulic accumulator with his own hands without any problems and connect it to the water supply system.
Agree, the key to successful work is understanding the device and the principle of operation of the equipment. We will help you understand these issues, as well as describe and illustrate the step-by-step technology for installing a hydraulic accumulator.
Information about connecting, setting up and conducting current repairs of the storage tank will come in handy during its operation.
How the accumulator works
The principle of the accumulator is simple, like all ingenious. A rubber conical, pear-shaped or other form of rubber is inserted into the body of the metal tank.
The gasket or membrane is most often made from butyl, which has a significant margin of safety and is resistant to constant tension and water.
This material is also characterized by high antibacterial properties and meets all hygiene standards. Water entering the tank is held by this gasket; it does not come into contact with the walls of the metal casing.
A nipple is installed on the back of the case, which allows air to be pumped into the tank.
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Hydraulic tank as part of a factory-built pumping station
Accumulator in the circuit with submersible pump
Functions and purpose of hydraulic tanks in water supply
Rules for competent operation of accumulators
Water and air are separated by a gasket. By pumping or bleeding air, you can adjust the pressure that it exerts on the water. As a result, water enters the system under pressure, and this provides the necessary pressure.
A mandatory element for a hydraulic accumulator is a manometer, with which the current pressure in the tank is controlled. The optimal pressure indicators in the air compartment of the accumulator are considered to be 1.5-2.0 atmospheres.
The diagram clearly shows the device of the accumulator. Water enters the upper part, which is held by a rubber membrane, and air is pumped into the lower part, which provides the necessary water pressure
Wherever good pressure is needed, the installation of a hydraulic accumulator will be more than relevant. And the requirements for good pressure are constantly increasing.
For example, for normal operation of an automatic washing machine or dishwasher, at least 0.7-2 atmospheres may be required. A shower with hydromassage or the famous bathtub with a jacuzzi will work normally only in four atmospheres.
It is immediately worth noting that overpressure in the water supply system is not the most useful phenomenon, since this creates an additional and completely unnecessary load on the structure.
This reduces their life and leads to leaks, breakdowns and other problems. Although the pressure can reach even 10 atmospheres during pressure testing of the system, it is best to keep performance at 4-5 atmospheres.
Hydraulic accumulators vary in volume, and they can also be oriented horizontally or vertically. For heating systems, hydraulic tanks designed for operation at high temperatures are designed
Even if the house does not have modern household appliances that are sensitive to the pressure of water in the water supply, a hydraulic accumulator can still come in handy. On the upper floors of tall buildings, the pressure of water in the water supply system is very, very weak. The accumulator allows you to effectively solve the problem of this kind.
The capacity of the accumulator can vary between 5-100 liters. Of course, to store water, these are very modest numbers. If there is a need to always have a substantial supply of water, it is better to use a storage tank of sufficient volume.
When organizing autonomous water supply, a hydraulic accumulator is used in combination with a surface or submersible pump. The device pumps water into the tank until the pressure reaches a certain, predetermined level. After that, the equipment is turned off automatically.
Water decreases, pressure decreases, reaches a minimum level. At this point, the pump switches on again and runs until the previously empty tank is filled with water.
To regulate the operation of such a system, a pressure switch is used. This allows you to reduce the number of on / off pumping equipment to a minimum, which significantly increases its service life.
The inlet for supplying water to the accumulator is equipped with a special pipe, which is mounted on a threaded connection.
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Accumulator Case Material
Threaded flange
Hydraulic Tank Air Valve - Nipple
Accumulator platform
Modern models are relatively easy to disassemble and then assemble, having performed the necessary maintenance, replacement of elements or other types of repair. If the accumulator is installed correctly, then it will not be necessary to drain the water from the water supply system for its maintenance.
This table can be used to calculate the volume of the tank for a specific situation, based on the predicted working conditions (+)
When choosing a hydraulic accumulator, you should pay attention to the diameter of the pipe and compare it with the dimensions of the water pipe. Experts assure that the more accurate these indicators are, the less hydraulic losses will be in the system. If the diameters of the structures do not match, you will have to use an adapter.
Water has the ability to evaporate, which can affect the pressure in the device. To bleed such excess air on large-capacity hydraulic accumulators - about 100 l - a valve is installed.
Small-volume models do not have such a device. It is recommended to install a valve or tee in the system, which will block the water supply to the water supply system and will allow to remove excess air.
Installation, connection, configuration
Understanding how the accumulator is arranged and works will allow you to correctly install it, correctly connect and fine tune.
From this device during the day, water is drawn and pumped. As a result, the unit is constantly influenced by the working process during which it is noisy and vibrates. This point should be considered when choosing a place for its installation.
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Step 1: Connecting a tank of any type is carried out in a similar way. First we prepare it for connecting the pipe
Step 2: Turn the vertical container upside down and tightly wrap the fitting thread with sanitary linen
Step 3: Screw the corner fitting required to connect the water pipe to the flanged pipe
Step 4: If a non-return valve was not installed in front of the pump, we place it in front of the hydraulic tank so that after the pump unit is turned off, water does not drain back to the output
Step 5: The water pipe is introduced into the house through a hole drilled in the basement or foundation into which the metal sleeve is installed
Together with a water pipe into the house, we introduce the electric cable of the pump, to which, after entering, we connect the capacitor box
Step 7: At the outlet of the accumulator we have a manometer that records the pressure in the system and a pressure switch that responds to these readings, according to which the pump is turned off or on
Step 8: We connect a water pipe to the corner fitting connected to the flange of the hydraulic tank, then we test the system for operability and tightness of the nodes
Installation of a corner fitting to a branch pipe
Technical devices for hydraulic tank operation
Putting a water pipe into the house
Pump cable entry
System Pressure Switch Location
Water pipe connection
Accumulator installation rules
First you need to choose the most suitable place. It should be spacious enough, especially if a large tank is used.
After installing the container, enough space should remain around it so that the master can freely inspect the hydraulic tank, take measures for its maintenance and repair, and, if necessary, dismantle and disassemble the unit.
To dampen vibration, the accumulator must be installed on a solid base, for example, on a concrete slab. The mounting base should be carefully leveled. Between the base and the body of the accumulator, rubber gaskets are placed, which should partially dampen the vibration.
How to connect a device
The accumulator is connected to the water supply system through a special fitting with five outputs.
It is through this element that the remaining elements of the system will be connected to the nozzle of the hydraulic tank, namely:
- water pipe;
- source of water intake (e.g. submersible pump);
- pressure gauge;
- pressure switch.
The fitting can be installed directly on the nozzle of the hydraulic tank, and on the transition element in the form of a rigid hose. The decision should be made based on where the hydraulic tank is installed and how convenient it is to connect other communications to it.
The pressure gauge, pressure switch and other elements are connected using threaded connections. Of course, all of them should be well sealed and sealed with linen thread, FUM tape or other suitable material.
To connect the accumulator to the water supply system, as well as to install a manometer and pressure switch, use a special fitting for five outputs
The pressure switch should also be connected to the mains and to the pump, which is used to supply water. For this, there are two pairs of contacts under the cover of the instrument housing. They are usually signed as “pump” and “network”.
If there are no such marks, and the master who connects the relay has no experience in performing electrical work, you should ask for a consultation from a professional electrician.
During the operation of the hydraulic tank, all threaded connections are checked for leaks. To do this, just feel the nozzles of the nozzle and make sure that they remain dry. If a leak is detected, repeated sealing and sealing operations should be carried out.
Very often, a hydraulic tank is part of a pumping station, which also includes a surface pump, pressure gauge and pressure switch.
A hydraulic accumulator in combination with a surface pump is most often used in the form of a complete pumping station. This is an almost ready-to-install unit, which includes the accumulator itself, and the pressure switch, and the surface pump, and the pressure gauge.
It remains only to connect the pump to a source of water, and the hydraulic tank to the water supply system of the house. After that, it is necessary to provide the pumping station with power, as well as to correctly configure the pressure switch.
Schematically, the connection of the pumping station can be represented in the form of the following steps:
- Prepare a solid base in a suitable place for installation.
- Install the pump station on the base.
- Measure and adjust the air pressure in the empty accumulator.
- Install a fitting with five exits to the accumulator outlet pipe.
- Connect the surface pump pipe to the outlet of the fitting.
- Connect a water pipe to the other output.
- Install pressure gauge and pressure switch.
- Fill the accumulator with water.
- Check for leaks at threaded connections.
- Set pressure switch.
A surface pump is not always used in the autonomous water supply system of a private house. Owners of deep wells have to use special submersible pumps.
The process of connecting the accumulator to the water supply system with a deep pump is performed according to the following scheme:
- Lower the submersible pump prepared for operation into the water source (well, well, etc.)
- Connect the pressure hose or water supply pipe of the pump to the five-piece fitting.
- Connect the accumulator pipe to one of the outlets of the fitting.
- Install pressure gauge and pressure switch.
- Connect the accumulator to the water system of the house.
When connecting a hydraulic tank to a submersible pump, a check valve should be installed to prevent the outflow of water into the well when the pump is turned off.
This diagram allows you to understand the procedure for connecting the accumulator to the water supply network with a submersible pump. As with the installation of the pumping station, a special fitting (+) is required here
Some important nuances
To connect the accumulator use special flexible adapters. This helps to reduce the effect of vibrations on the plumbing system.
It should be borne in mind that in this section, between the water supply and the accumulator, it is unacceptable to reduce the clearance of the connecting structures, since this will worsen the hydraulic characteristics of the system.
To reduce the effect of vibration that occurs during operation of the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use special flexible inlets. Their sizes should not be smaller than the diameter of the output to which they are connected
The initial filling of the tank with water must be performed very slowly. The fact is that during prolonged storage, the rubber membrane made in the form of a pear could simply stick together.
A sharp stream of water can break the gasket, and with a low pressure it will neatly crack. Another really important point is that before supplying water to the accumulator, completely remove air from the part into which water will be pumped.
Immediately after unpacking the purchased battery, and / or immediately before connecting it, you must measure the pressure of the air that is pumped in. This indicator should be 1.5 atm, that is how hydroaccumulators are pumped up during manufacture. However, during storage at the warehouse before the sale, leakage of part of this air is a completely natural phenomenon.
The most reliable option for such measurements is a conventional automobile pressure gauge with a suitable gradation scale that allows measurements to be taken with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere. As practice has shown, it is not worth using cheap Chinese plastic models for these purposes, their accuracy is very doubtful.
Electronic models are sensitive to the environment, and this is too expensive an option for a conventional accumulator.
What should be the air pressure in a water tank filled with water? It all depends on the situation.
A pressure of 1.5 atmospheres will provide a pretty decent pressure of water in the water supply system. But it should be remembered that the higher the pressure, the smaller the volume of water stored in the tank. If you need a solid supply of water, and a good head, it makes sense to look for a large tank.
To control the air pressure in the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use a conventional automobile pressure gauge, which allows measurements to be made with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere
It is recommended that in the accumulator, the operating parameters of the air pressure are less than the minimum pressure that causes the pump to turn on, by about 0.5-1.0 atmospheres.Sometimes they act differently.
The air pressure in the accumulator is left at 1.5 atmospheres, as set at the factory, and the minimum pressure or switch-on pressure is calculated as 2.0-2.5 atmospheres. Thus, to the air pressure in an empty tank - 1.5 atmospheres - this difference of 0.5-1.0 atmospheres is added.
Excess pressure does not reflect well on the integrity of the elements of the hydraulic tank, but low air pressure in it is not useful. If this indicator is reduced to less than one atmosphere, the membrane will touch the walls of the tank. This will lead to its deformation and rapid breakdown.
Two springs are designed to regulate the pressure switch. Using the first set the pump shutdown pressure, and with the second - the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure
After the system is installed and connected, it is necessary to configure the pressure switch. To do this, under the body there are two adjusting nuts with springs. The procedure for adjusting the pressure switch is usually described in detail in the instructions that came with the device.
Rules of operation and repair
Connecting and setting up the accumulator correctly is only half the battle. For the device to work for a long time, it must be properly operated, periodically perform preventive inspection and maintenance.
The instructions require a professional examination twice a year, but practice shows that this is not enough. Check the condition of the accumulator should be every three months. It is advisable to observe the settings of the pressure switches with the same frequency, so that if necessary, correct them.
Incorrect operation of the relay creates additional loads on the entire system, which may affect the state of the accumulator.
If dents or traces of corrosion are found on the device case during inspection, these damage must be repaired. This is best done as early as possible, otherwise the corrosion processes will develop, which can lead to a violation of the integrity of the body of the accumulator.
An important preventive measure is checking the pressure in the tank itself with a manometer. If necessary, pump the correct amount of air into the device or vent excess air.
If this does not help and the new gauge readings do not meet the expected ones, then either the integrity of the accumulator housing is violated or its membrane is damaged.
If the diaphragm installed in the accumulator has worn out, you can try to replace it with a new one. To do this, the device will have to be dismantled and disassembled
Some craftsmen manage to detect and repair damage to the hull, but this repair is far from always durable and reliable. Rubber liner or membrane is the weak point of the accumulator. Over time, she wears out.
You can replace the membrane with a new element at home, but for this you will have to completely disassemble and reassemble the accumulator.
When choosing a suitable place for installing a hydraulic accumulator, you should remember that it must be spacious enough to carry out maintenance of the device
If a home craftsman doubts his abilities in this area or does not have enough experience, he can do even more harm to the device than the previous failure. In such a situation, it is better to contact a service center.
This video demonstrates the procedure for adjusting the pressure in the hydraulic tank and setting the pressure switch:
The advantages of using a hydraulic accumulator are obvious, therefore, this device is increasingly being used in private houses outside the city and in the apartments of a metropolis. If the unit is installed and connected correctly, it will work for many years without breakdowns and interruptions, providing the family with high-quality water supply.
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