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How a pressure tank works
The operating principle of a pressure tank is based on storing the hydraulic energy of water and using it later.
The most common application scheme of a pressure tank is its use together with a borehole pump or a pumping station. In such systems, the tank serves to extend the pump’s lifespan by reducing the frequency of starts. The tank acts as a damper and covers small water demands by pushing water into the plumbing system without activating the pump.
The working principle of the pressure tank in such a system is shown in the animation provided.
An elastic membrane hermetically separates the tank's volume into two chambers – gas and water. The membrane can stretch so that the entire volume is either filled with gas or almost entirely with water. A compressor can create an initial pressure Pgas in the gas chamber. The water chamber is connected to the water supply pipeline via a flange.
The pressure in the gas part of the tank Pgas is usually slightly higher than the pressure required to lift water to the highest point of the water supply system Pgas>H. This ensures that there is always enough pressure at the top tap for proper operation.
The pump activation pressure Pmin is set slightly above the gas pressure Pmin > Pgas, allowing the system to send a signal to start the pump before all the water is used up from the tank.
When power is supplied to the pump control system, and the pressure sensor detects pressure below Pmin, the pump starts. The pump raises the pressure in the water supply system and fills the pressure tank with reserve water. As the pressure rises, the gas in the tank compresses, allowing more water to enter the tank while the gas volume decreases.
When the system pressure reaches Pmax, the tank holds its maximum water volume, and the controller switches the pump off.
If no water is drawn from the system, the pressure remains at Pmax. Opening a single tap will not start the pump — the compressed gas in the tank pushes out water. As water is discharged, the system pressure gradually decreases. The more water is used, the lower the pressure becomes.
Once nearly all the water from the tank is used and the pressure drops to Pmin, the pump starts again. It refills the tank with water and raises the pressure back to Pmax.
On the calculation page, you will find a tool that helps you determine the initial gas pressure Pgas, the switch-on pressure Pmin, and the switch-off pressure Pmax based on the parameters of your water supply system.
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Catalog of of pressure tanks
Zilmet
Zilmet
Elbi
Elbi
Aquapress
Aquapress
Reflex
Reflex
Reflex
Varem
Varem
Imera
Imera
Imera
Imera
Imera
Grundfos
Flamco
Flamco
Flamco
Reflex
Elbi
Elbi
Pneumatex
Pneumatex
Pneumatex
