Additional hydraulic accumulator for the pumping station. Do-it-yourself installation of a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: areas of application, diagrams, capacity calculation

Hydraulic accumulator- a device that has become most widespread in everyday life and industry.

In particular, it is used as standalone source water for cottages, summer cottages, country houses. Inside the hydraulic tank, also called a hydraulic accumulator, there is liquid under pressure.

Moreover, the pressure has a constant value, and this is an important condition for normal operation of household appliances: shower, toilet, washbasin, etc.

In places high humidity It is best to install a stainless steel accumulator.

Let us dwell in more detail on the structure of a modern hydraulic accumulator, what it is needed for, and what are the basic principles of its operation.

1. depending on volume There are hydraulic accumulators of 2, 5, 24, 50, 80, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500 l. For a large house, devices with a volume of 80 or 100 liters are suitable. A 50-liter device is ideal for stabilizing pressure in the water supply system of typical apartments. The price for a 50L hydraulic accumulator may vary. The cost directly depends on the manufacturer. You can buy a hydraulic accumulator of this volume in a specialized store;
2. depending on purpose hydraulic accumulators are distinguished:
   • for cold water;
   • hydraulic accumulators for hot water;
   • expansion tank for heating, the main function of which is to regulate the pressure in the pipeline.

Note! No heating system is installed without an expansion tank. Right choice The hydraulic accumulator and its settings are the key to trouble-free and comfortable existence in the country.

Manufacturers of expansion tanks

The main manufacturers of hydraulic accumulators are the following brands: Gilex, Wester, Reflex, Aquasystem, Zilmet, Belamos, Topol, Unipres, Grundfos, Varem, Unijibi and STOUT.

Let's look at the pros and cons of each of them:

Selecting and buying a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems is not a problem today.

The devices are sold in many specialized stores, construction and construction supermarkets. technical equipment, as well as in online stores.

Our specialists will always help you select the right equipment for your home.

Prices for hydraulic accumulators for water supply depend on the volume of the tank and the manufacturer. On sale you can always find an automatic pump for a pump without a hydraulic accumulator.

The average price for an expansion tank of the Gilex brand is 6000rub, Unipres: 4000 – 6000rub.

There are also more expensive models. For example, a Unipress 300 hydraulic accumulator will cost the buyer RUR 20,000.

Prices for brand devices Reflex vary depending on the volume of the expansion tank: for example, an 8-liter tank will cost on average 2000-3000rub.

Buck Zilmet minimum volume in online stores can be purchased for 1500-2000rub.

Hydraulic accumulator device

Hydraulic accumulator for pumping station It looks simple: it is a completely sealed container with a rubber membrane inside.

The membrane divides the internal space of the expansion tank into two compartments: one for water, the other for air. There is an inert gas between the walls of the membrane water supply tank.


An important element of the design of any hydraulic accumulator is the flange. With its help, the expansion tank is installed in the system, as well as the membrane is replaced in case of loss of its elastic properties.

Allow me to introduce

Hydraulic accumulator (aka membrane tank) is a steel tank divided into two compartments by an elastic membrane. One of the compartments is filled with air or nitrogen (an oxygen-free atmosphere protects the tank walls from corrosion), the second is connected to the water supply.

The air compartment is usually equipped with a nipple, allowing it to be inflated, if necessary, with a regular bicycle or car pump.

Connecting a hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system performs two functions:

1. Creates a water reserve when it is periodically supplied;
2. Protects water supply from water hammer. During a short-term pressure surge, the membrane tank acts as a damper: unlike practically incompressible water, the air in one of its compartments is perfectly compressed.

If you want to know more about how to connect a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, the video in this article will help you.

Application options

Now let's find out where and how to install a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, depending on your goals.

Water reserve

Where to install a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, creating a supply of water in case of shutdown?

At any point of the cold water distribution system. performed with a rigid liner or flexible hose.

A couple of subtleties:

1. It is not advisable to install a membrane tank in the basement of a private house. In this case, you will lose several meters of water pressure (the loss of pressure will be equal to the vertical distance between the accumulator and the water collection point);
2. The installation of a water supply accumulator must be accompanied by the installation of a check valve at the cold water inlet into the house. The valve will prevent water from the tank and internal water supply from flowing into the water supply main when it is discharged.

Expansion tank

Membrane tanks are used as expansion tanks - in water supply systems with capacious boilers (electric or indirect heating).

Why are they needed there?

You see, when heated, water behaves like all other media - it expands. Meanwhile, at the boiler inlet there is usually check valve. It prevents heated water from being discharged when the water supply is turned off and at the same time will not allow water expanding when heated to be forced out into the cold water supply system.

The result is obvious - when the boiler heats water, the pressure in it and in the water supply rapidly increases. Connecting a hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system completely solves this problem: with it, the pressure increase slows down many times.

Water hammer protection

As already mentioned, the presence of a membrane tank can protect the water supply circuit from water hammer.

Here typical reasons its occurrence:

• Excessively rapid filling of the vented circuit with the tap open. A pressure surge occurs at the moment when all the air is forced out of the water supply;
• Instant stop of circulation in the hot water supply system (due to fallen gate valves or a quickly closed ball valve);
• A faucet tap that instantly goes from fully open to fully closed.

Captain Obviousness suggests: in all the described cases, the cause of water hammer is the inertia of the water flow in the pipes.

How to properly install a hydraulic accumulator in a water supply system to protect it from water hammer:

Water supply from a well

Installing a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems powered from a well or borehole allows you to solve two problems at once:

1. Eliminate pressure surges when turning the water supply pump on and off;
2. Create a supply of water and thereby make the pump start more rarely (and therefore increase its resource).

Such a scheme includes, in addition to the membrane tank, a number of other elements:

Water supply from tank

Often, the source of water in case of long-term outages is not a membrane tank, but a reserve tank without excess pressure. Its advantage is its low cost: a tank with a volume of 1000 liters will cost the buyer 7-9 thousand rubles.

The obvious solution for supplying water from such a container to the water supply is to place it in the attic or under the ceiling of a residential floor.

However, this solution has three serious drawbacks:

1. The strength of the floors (primarily wooden) limits the weight and useful volume storage tank. A container of 3-4 cubic meters when filled with water has a very real chance of breaking the beams;

1. For work household appliances necessary overpressure. Let us give the most illustrative example: instantaneous water heater it simply will not turn on the heating until a pressure sensor in its chamber is activated, set to 0.3 kgf/cm2 (which corresponds to a water column of 3 meters);

1. To install the tank in the attic, the latter must be heated. Heating an unused attic means significantly increasing your costs during the cold season.

That is why the correct implementation of such a water supply system looks like this:

• The container is installed in the subfloor, basement or basement;

Hint: the ground temperature below the freezing level is stable throughout the year and is always above zero. The water in the tank located in the basement will never freeze and will remain cool in the most extreme heat.

• A surface pump with a membrane tank is connected to the tank. A relay with a simple float level sensor is responsible for turning it on and off;

• The installation diagram of a water supply accumulator is completely identical to the diagram used for water supply from a well.

Useful volume of membrane tank

The amount of water that a membrane tank can hold differs markedly from its nominal volume. The usable capacity is absolutely not affected by the installation scheme of the hydraulic accumulator in the water supply system. It depends only on the pressure in the water supply and in the air compartment.

Conclusion

We hope that we were able to answer the reader’s questions. Good luck!

Hydraulic accumulator is a special and very desirable element in household and industrial systems water supply (and heating too, but this is of secondary interest to us today), installed in order to take on a certain volume of liquid and an excess share of pressure.

In contact with

What makes us install a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system? So, let's look at it in detail:

• Firstly, there is the need to accumulate (accumulate, preserve) the volume of liquid;
• Secondly, it is necessary, while accumulating liquid, to also remove excess pressure;
• Thirdly, this is the need to dampen water hammer in the water supply system;
• Fourthly, the hydraulic accumulator allows you to maintain water pressure even when the pump is turned off;
• Fifthly, the presence of a hydraulic accumulator gives “advance” to the pump; it turns on less often;
• And sixthly, during peak water consumption, the hydraulic accumulator “smoothes out” them...

Hydraulic accumulator has synonyms to designate 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 mean exactly the same as the hydraulic accumulator.

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

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



Digression on color: Hydraulic accumulators are also installed in heating systems. And here it is worth remembering that hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems and for heating systems are usually (by most manufacturers) manufactured with a difference in color. Blue ones are for water supply systems. Red – heat supply. There are also colorless ones.

In any case, you should read the technical documentation to be sure of the intended purpose of the device. Among the differences between these devices: the blue ones use only food-grade rubber. They, the blue ones, are designed in such a way that you can change the membrane yourself. The red ones have technical rubber, and you can’t change the membrane yourself in all of them. Therefore, the hydraulic accumulator for the water supply system is a blue hydraulic accumulator.

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

Hydraulic accumulators have two standard design options. Diaphragm accumulators and hydraulic accumulators with a rubber bulb.

Both the bulb 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. The outside of the membrane is surrounded by air.

The water inlet is at the bottom, the air inlet is at the top. At the input below there is a filter, at the input above there is a spool.

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

Hydraulic accumulators with a bulb are designed in approximately 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 either on one side or on both ends, to opposite walls.

Ecological retreat: Opinions about which is better, a bulb or a membrane, and which material for the bulb or membrane gives you better quality water output are very varied. Many believe that a pear, and even one made of rubber based on natural rubber, provides the best water in an environmental sense. There are other opinions that different types membranes and pears have fairly 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 allocate the place as close as possible to the pump - and your water supply system will work normally.

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

Let's approach from the point of view of turning the pump on and off. It is better not to turn on the pump more than 30 times per hour. Find out the capacity of your pump, most likely it is about 40 liters per minute. In a hydraulic accumulator, water and air divide the space in half... so from this point of view you need a hydraulic accumulator volume of up to 100 liters.

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

If there are two toilets, then you need to take this into account too.

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

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

From the point of view of reserving water 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 at home. A pipe height of 10 meters gives you a pressure of 1 bar. The tap operates normally at 0.5 bar.

You need the pressure to be no less than 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’s always a good idea to remind that the installation of the hydraulic accumulator must be carried out in full accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

It would be ideal if this is carried out by experienced specialists. A non-specialist who has the ability, experience and desire, the owner of a house, for example, often prefers to do everything himself. In this case, again, the manufacturer’s instructions must not be violated, and prudence and caution should be exercised:

• Hydraulic 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 everything necessary for this case!
• Freezing of water in the accumulator is unacceptable. The room must be heated!
• The hydraulic accumulator and its elements, and the supply parts of the water supply system should not be subjected to any static loads;
• Protect your hydraulic accumulator from moisture and mechanical damage outside;
• If you are lucky and need a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of, for example, 750 liters, evaluate in advance how you will drag a large tank into the house (door openings, etc.)

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: connection diagram.

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: malfunctions

The vast majority of hydraulic accumulator malfunctions can be repaired - it is ideal to invite a specialist to do this, but you can do a lot on your own.

Does the pump turn on too often? This is a signal about several at once possible malfunctions your accumulator:

• There may be no compressed air in the container. You can fix the problem by simply pumping up the air with a car pump;
• The membrane may be damaged. You should replace it by contacting specialists or yourself. Be sure to read about replacing the membrane. Be sure to use only the original membrane (or, as we say, native);
• Hull damaged. This breakdown speaks for itself. It is necessary to repair the body by turning to professionals;
• The pressure difference is too small, at which the pump turns on, and the pressure at which the pump turns off. It is necessary to change the pump on and off pressure (on the pressure switch).
• Is water leaking from the air valve? The membrane is clearly damaged. It needs to be changed, again at a service center, preferably, but if you do it yourself, then only to the original one!
• Air pressure has dropped below the calculated value? The nipple is to blame; it should be blown out, restoring the pressure inside.

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

There may be two reasons for this:

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

Hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems: prices

The price of a hydraulic accumulator differs. The price is affected by volume, trademark, country of tank manufacturer. Also, prices vary depending on the region of Russia in which hydraulic accumulators are sold. There is an opinion that a Chinese-made hydraulic accumulator with a capacity of 24 liters can be purchased for 1,200 rubles at retail.

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

Let's sum it up

When dealing with a water supply system, we usually consider the pump to be the most important thing in it. If the pump is working, then there is water.

But the pump, taking water from a well, well or the same water supply system, pumps it into the hydraulic accumulator, or, more precisely, into the rubber membrane or bulb inside it.

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

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

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems saves and our water supply, and the pump itself, and energy, and especially our nerves.

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

The hydraulic accumulator is one of those things that can make your Vacation home truly modern and comfortable!

In contact with

See inaccuracies, incomplete or incorrect information? Do you know how to make an article better?

Would you like to suggest photos on the topic for publication?

Please help us make the site better! Leave a message and your contacts in the comments - we will contact you and together we will make the publication better!

To normalize the pressure in the heating system, a number of devices are used. But the most important of them is the hydraulic accumulator. Its design makes it possible to automatically stabilize the coolant pressure when the temperature changes.

Purpose

The hydraulic accumulator is installed only for heating systems closed type. They are characterized high pressure water, which occurs due to its heating. Therefore, if the permissible value is exceeded, a compensation system is necessary. This is what the hydraulic accumulator is designed for.

He is steel structure, which is internally divided into two chambers. One of them is designed to be filled with water from the heating system, and the second serves as an air compensator. To set the optimal pressure in the air chamber, a valve is provided in the accumulator. With its help, the degree of air injection is changed, thereby adapting the device to the parameters of a specific heating system.

The chambers are separated by an elastic membrane or rubber balloon. When the water temperature in the pipes rises above critical, a pressure surge occurs. The liquid, expanding, begins to press on the walls of the separation membrane. She, in turn, under the influence of this force, increases the filling volume of the water chamber. This leads to normalization of pressure within the entire system.

Connection rules, diagram

When installing a hydraulic accumulator, certain rules should be followed. First of all, you need to select an area in the heating main where it will be installed. Experts recommend installing the expansion tank in the return pipe with chilled water. But at the same time, it must be installed before the pumping equipment. The general installation diagram is as follows.

As you can see, to protect the line from pressure drops in the liquid at the outlet of the heating equipment, a safety valve. It performs the same functions as a hydraulic accumulator, but is designed for higher pressure surges. An expansion tank is necessary to normalize heating operation at small pressure drops.

Before starting installation, please consider the following:

• Selecting an installation location. The main requirement for it is free access to the device. This is especially true for the air chamber control valve.
• There should be no other shut-off or control valves in the area between and the expansion tank. It can make significant changes in hydraulic resistance.
• The temperature in the room where the accumulator is installed should not be below 0°C.
• Its surface should not experience mechanical stress or external influences.
• The response of the pressure reducer to release air from the chambers must be set according to the parameters of the heating system.

Guided by these rules, you can install the expansion tank yourself. But at the same time, you should follow the connection rules, use products made from quality material and calculate the optimal tank volume.

To make the calculation, you need to know the total volume of the heating system, the optimal and maximum pressure in it, as well as the expansion coefficient of water. Formula for calculating the size of a membrane-type hydraulic accumulator:

• e – water expansion coefficient – ​​0.04318;
• C – total volume of the heating system;
• Pi – initial pressure;
• Pf – maximum pressure.

Let's consider an example calculation for heating with a total volume of 500 liters, optimal indicator pressure is 1.5 bar, and maximum is 3 bar.

In this case, it is optimal to choose a hydraulic accumulator with a total volume of 50 liters.

This technique will allow you to correctly select and connect an expansion tank for a closed heating system.