How to properly install a hydraulic tank in a water supply system. How to install a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system. Water supply with surface pump

A hydraulic accumulator for a pumping station is a special metal container, inside of which there is a metal membrane and a certain volume of water under pressure. The device is designed to maintain stable pressure in the water supply system, protecting the water pump, due to frequent activation, from premature wear, and the entire system from possible water hammer.
Having a pump with a 50-liter hydraulic accumulator in the water supply system, the home owner will always be provided with a small supply of water.

Main functions of a hydraulic accumulator

The installation of a hydraulic accumulator in the home water supply system solves several important problems:

Protects the pump from premature wear. Water supply in membrane tank, allows you to turn on the pump when you open the tap in the water supply only in the event that the water supply in the tank completely disappears. Any pump contains a certain number of starts per hour, and the accumulator device allows the pump to have unused turns, which increases its service life.
Maintains constant pressure in the water supply system, protects against changes in water pressure, which can, if several taps are opened simultaneously, lead to sharp fluctuations water pressure, for example in the kitchen and shower. The hydraulic accumulator (see) successfully copes with such unpleasant situations.
Protects against water hammer that occurs when the pump is turned on, which can cause significant damage to the pipeline.
Maintains a supply of water in the system, which allows you to use it even during a power outage. This is especially true in country houses.

Types and design of hydraulic accumulators

Before getting acquainted with the types of devices, you need to get acquainted with the features of its design. It is not particularly complicated.

The main structural elements of hydraulic accumulators are:

The housing is a sealed cylinder capable of withstanding a pressure of 1.5 – 5.6 atmospheres during constant operation, or up to 10 atmospheres if the load is short-term.
Membranes. This is an elastic “pear”, which is fixed at the neck of the cylinder and placed in its internal space. Only through a flange with a valve attached to the neck of the battery housing can access to the membrane be opened.
Nipple for adapter. The element is cut into the body from the side opposite to the neck. Through the nipple, air is pumped into the battery, occupying all the space available between the outer surface of the membrane and the internal cavity of the housing.

In addition, the design of the drive contains legs and a support bracket that are used for mounting the pump. The legs are welded at the bottom of the storage tank, and the pump is placed on top.
Design features allow the range of storage devices to be divided into the following types:

Storage tanks for storage cold water, are used in technical pipelines and for drinking. In this case, batteries for modern pipelines have only inert membranes, which are made from a special type of rubber.
Accumulation tanks, for storage hot water, used in hot water supply systems. In such drives, the membrane is made of a material that is resistant to high temperatures.
Storage tanks used for heating systems in a closed environment. The main requirement for such batteries is the presence in their design of a membrane that has a high resistance to the occurrence of high temperature and pressure.

At the same time, the battery membranes in the hot water supply system can withstand temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius, and the elements that serve for heating systems can withstand up to 110 degrees Celsius.

How to choose a hydraulic accumulator model

When choosing a drive model, you need to pay attention to the following design features and performance characteristics devices:

The working volume must satisfy the needs of the owner and correspond to the performance of the station pump.
The membranes must be made of material corresponding to the functional load. For example, one membrane is used for a “drinking” battery, and a completely different one for a “heating” battery.
The installation diagram of the battery on the supporting plane must be acceptable to its owner. Floor tank is enough large sizes It simply cannot be placed on a bracket.

Advice: The key factor, when choosing a drive model, is its capacity. It doesn’t matter where and how to install and connect the hydraulic accumulator, the main thing is that its volume is sufficient for all the needs of the consumer.

Basic rules when buying a drive:

Its minimum volume should be 25 liters. Otherwise, due to frequent switching on and off, the pump will wear out quite quickly.
The optimal volume of a hydraulic accumulator is considered to be a tank of 50 liters or more. But it is only suitable for a family of 3-4 people. Singles or retirees can use storage devices with a smaller capacity; their price is much lower.

Where to install and connect the storage tank

Connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator and pump, their correct operation is not particularly difficult:

Water is supplied inside the pear-shaped membrane through a flange valve.
Under its pressure, the membrane begins to expand.
The air pumped into the housing is compressed and keeps the membrane from bursting. As the membrane fills, the air becomes denser, which ultimately creates an area of high pressure between the walls of the housing and the membrane, which is provided with energy compressed air.
After opening the faucet in the home water supply, the air begins to compress the pear-shaped liner and the water begins to flow. the right pressure go through the pipes.
The pump fills the empty membrane, and its operation is controlled by a pressure sensor installed.

Tip: For water supply systems, the location of the hydraulic accumulator is determined by the operating diagram of this unit, which assumes that the accumulator must be placed between the pump and the “input” fitting to the collector of the internal water supply of the house. An exception may be the installation of a hydraulic accumulator in the heating system. In this case, it must be cut into the return line located in front of the line entering the boiler, behind the pump.

It is best to mount the battery on the floor or a special bracket that is fixed to the wall. In this case, between the legs of the drive and the surface for their installation, it is imperative to install shock-absorbing rubber pads.

When connecting a storage tank to a water supply system, the design features of the pumping station and the type of pump used for pumping water into the storage tank are taken into account.
The stations use two types of devices:

Submersible, lowered directly into the water.
Surface, fixed to the hydraulic accumulator.

The hydraulic accumulator also depends on the characteristics of the equipment used. The photo shows an example of installing the device in a country house.

The procedure for connecting the system with surface pump is as follows:

The air pressure on the nipple side is measured when the membrane is empty; its value should be 0.5-1 atmosphere less than the minimum pressure in the accumulator when the pump is activated. This minimum pressure is set on the station control relay, to the value of which 0.5-1 atmosphere is added. Its readings are recorded by a pressure gauge on the tank nipple.
Installation of a special manifold tank with five outlets to a flange fitting.
Connection:

to the first outlet of the pressure pipe from the pump;
to the second - a domestic water supply pipe;
a pressure switch is connected to the third;
to the fourth output - a pressure gauge;
The fifth one is already connected to the hydraulic tank fitting.

Tip: Assembly is performed using a polymer sealant, which is generally accepted for the rules for connecting elements of threaded connections, to ensure their sealing. After assembly, the equipment is considered ready for use.

When connecting the device with your own hands using a submersible pump, you must follow the following procedure:

The pump is immersed in water. The pressure hose from the pump is brought to the surface and connected to the pressure switch, through the same manifold with five connectors.
The flow from the collector is diverted to the hydraulic accumulator, and in this section the movement will be two-way.
Another pipe is connected from the collector to the water supply, and the remaining connector is connected to the pump control system.
In this case, another fitting is inserted between the manifold and the pump or check valve, preventing water from “merging” back into the well after the pressure supply stops. This valve must be mounted directly into the outlet neck of the pump.

How to repair and maintain a hydraulic accumulator

Just like pumping stations without a hydraulic accumulator, the simplest hydraulic tanks require timely attention and maintenance.
There may be several reasons for this:

Corrosion.
Formation of dents on the body.
Violation of membrane integrity.
Lack of tank sealing.

There are other causes that need to be addressed to avoid possible problems. Although the care instructions suggest inspecting the device twice a year, this may not be enough.
If a problem is not noticed within six months, it can cause the hydraulic tank to fail completely, which requires inspection and repair of the product at every opportunity.
The causes of breakdowns may be:

Frequent turning on and off of the pump.
Liquid exits through the valve.
Low water pressure.
Low pressure, below design, air.
Weak pressure after the water pump.

The reason for repairing the hydraulic accumulator may be:

Low or no air pressure in the membrane tank.
The membrane has been damaged.
The body was damaged.
A large difference in pressure was formed when the pump was turned off and on.
The hydraulic tank volume is incorrectly selected.

To troubleshoot problems you need to:

Increase air pressure by forcing it through the tank nipple with a compressor or a regular garage pump.
A damaged membrane can be repaired in a specialized workshop.
Here, damage to the housing is eliminated and its tightness is restored.
The difference in pressure can be corrected by setting a very large differential so that it matches the frequency of pump activation.
The required volume of the tank is determined before its installation in the system.

The video in this article shows how to connect a pumping station without a hydraulic accumulator and separate hydraulic tanks. Using a storage tank in a water supply system country house will improve the arrangement of an autonomous source, create the necessary amount of liquid for it in case of emergency disconnection from the source.

A hydraulic accumulator is a device that eliminates the need to turn on the water pump when opening a tap in the house. The hydraulic accumulator is also called a receiver, which is a container for filling with water. The container is filled with water, which is initially consumed when the tap in the house is opened. Installing a hydraulic accumulator in a water supply system does not present any difficulties, but for this there are a number of different diagrams that allow you to make the correct connection.

Hydraulic accumulator and its features

Hydraulic accumulators are a container with a metal body, and inside there is a rubber bulb. This bulb plays the role of a membrane, which allows you to fill the receiver to a certain pressure. The pump pumps water into the receiver to a certain pressure. As soon as the pressure reaches a certain level, a signal is sent to the pump to turn off the electric motor. Subsequently, water flow is carried out from the receiver, and as soon as the pressure drops to a minimum value, a signal is sent to the electric motor to turn on and pump water.

The rubber membrane is fixed in the container using a flange. The flange is equipped with an inlet pipe, and in the internal structure of the accumulator, in addition to the rubber bulb, there is also air. This air is located between the inner wall of the steel cylinder and the outer surface of the bulb. When water is pumped into a container, the rubber shell expands, and at the same time the air is compressed. This air serves as protection for the rubber bulb, as well as for the steel tank:

It prevents further expansion of the rubber shell, protecting it from rupture.
Eliminates contact of water with the internal walls of the tank, thereby eliminating the occurrence of corrosion. This allows you to extend the service life of the steel tank several times.

Due to the compressed air in the design of the hydraulic accumulator, the required pressure is ensured.

What does a hydraulic accumulator consist of?

The design of the hydraulic accumulator is simple, but at the same time it is a complex mechanism that eliminates the need to turn on the pump every time the tap in the house is opened in order to get a cup of water.

Hydraulic accumulators have different volumes, so depending on the capacity of the receiver, they make it possible to prevent the pump from turning on when opening the tap to fill a mug or bucket with water.

Structurally, the hydraulic accumulator can be divided into the following components:

This is a steel base that resembles an expansion tank. This tank is designed for operating pressure ranging from 1.5 to 6 atmospheres. However, the pressure value can be increased to 10 atmospheres, but only under short-term exposure. Otherwise, the tank may not be able to withstand it and it will explode.
This is an elastic membrane that is fixed to the inlet part of the tank and is located directly in the inside of the receiver. Water enters the bulb through an inlet flange with a valve. This flange is attached to the neck of the accumulator tank.
Located on the opposite side of the intake valve. The main purpose of the nipple is that it serves to pump air into the receiver housing structure.

For ease of use of the tank, legs are welded to its metal base. In addition, for ease of use of the hydraulic accumulator, an electric motor with a pump is located next to it. To reduce the flow rate at the pump-tank connection, the electric motor is located primarily on the top of the accumulator. To do this, a support bracket is welded to the tank at the top.

This is interesting! Depending on the capacity of the receiver, the bracket for securing the pump can be located in the upper part, which is typical for large-capacity devices, or in the lower part, for small-volume products.

Hydraulic accumulators are also vertical and horizontal. If the horizontal one is intended for direct installation together with the pump, then the vertical one is used for installing it separately.

Where are hydraulic accumulators used?

Depending on the place of operation, hydraulic accumulators can also be divided into the following types:

Products used primarily in cold water supply systems.
Devices intended for use in hot water supply systems.
Expansion tanks in heating systems.

The receiver in a cold water supply system is used exclusively to accumulate liquid and supply it to the house. This application allows you to avoid water hammer in the network, as well as eliminate unnecessary switching on of the unit. Using a receiver not only extends the service life electric motor, which is connected to the pump, but also saves energy. After all, every time the electric motor starts, a large current is consumed. If the engine turns on every time the tap in the house opens, then a decent amount of money will accrue per month for electricity.

Hydraulic accumulators, which are intended to supply hot water, have an identical design to conventional devices, with the exception of one difference. This difference is that the rubber membrane is designed to withstand high temperatures.

This is interesting! If an electric boiler is installed in the house, then there is no need to install a separate pump with a hydraulic accumulator for hot water supply. Hydraulic accumulators for supplying hot water are installed in apartments where there is a centralized supply of hot water.

The expansion tank in the heating system serves to compensate for its volume in the event of water expansion. As expansion tank often use a steel container open type, which is a quarter filled with water.

How does a hydraulic accumulator work?

Before connecting the accumulator to the water supply, you need to understand the principle of its operation. The principle of operation is to perform the following tasks:

Through the water supply, the receiver is filled with water, or rather, a rubber membrane. Water supply can be carried out not only from the water supply, but also from a well or well.
The control relay, which is responsible for the lower and upper pressure thresholds, turns off the power supply to the electric motor with the pump as soon as the set parameter reaches a certain value. The pressure in the receiver can be set independently, but it is undesirable for this parameter to exceed 6 atmospheres.
As soon as the rubber reservoir is filled to a certain pressure, the pump turns off. When you open a tap in the house, water flows out of the receiver. The more water capacity is consumed, the faster the pressure will drop to the lower limit.
As soon as the pressure in the tank drops to a lower value, the relay will operate, which will signal the electric motor to turn on the pump. Water is pumped until upper threshold pressure, after which the engine turns off again.

If there is a need to use a large volume of water, for example, if a person is filling a bath or taking a shower, then the pump will run continuously until the tap is closed. The smaller the tank, the more often the electric motor will operate to fill the receiver. When choosing a receiver, it is worth considering that each part has its own resources. The larger the receiver volume, the less wear on the pump, flange with valve and electric motor. If the volume of the receiver is small, and water has to be used very often, then the service life of the working elements will depend directly on how often the need for water arises.

This is interesting! Additional fixation to the floor of the hydraulic accumulator is not needed, since the device is not affected external loads. To ensure the stability of the receiver, it is enough to install it on its own legs. Depending on the design of the product, the product may have 3 or 4 legs.

Features of choosing receiver capacity

The tank capacity should be chosen arbitrarily, taking into account some features. A large tank capacity has many advantages, but don't forget about the cost. After all, the larger the tank’s capacity, the more expensive its cost. But even if financial resources allow a person to purchase a tank with a capacity of 500 liters, this should not always be done.

When purchasing, you need to take into account such a parameter as the size of the product. Typically, hydraulic accumulators are installed in wells or pits. If the size of the pit is small, then installing a large tank will not be possible. It can be installed in your home, but is it worth the sacrifice? free space, it is entirely up to the buyer to decide.

This is interesting! Hydraulic accumulators with a capacity of more than 50 liters are purchased mainly for installation in the basements of multi-story buildings. For the private sector, a device with a capacity of up to 25 liters is usually sufficient.

When choosing a receiver, it is enough to provide the equipment seller with information such as the type of housing (apartment or house), the number of residents and the availability of garden space. Indeed, often, in addition to water consumption for domestic needs, it is also consumed for irrigation. How larger area personal plot, the larger the volume of the receiver it is better to purchase. Usually if you need to water personal plot, then you should install a hydraulic accumulator with a capacity of at least 50 liters.

This is interesting! Even if you made a mistake in choosing a hydraulic accumulator, you should not change it for another (larger capacity), especially since it will no longer be accepted during its operation. You can always install an additional tank that will be filled with water in parallel.

How to connect a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system

There are different schemes for connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a pump and a water supply system, so first you need to decide where the pump will be located: in a well or a submersible product in a well.

Connection diagram using a surface pump

Before connecting the accumulator, you need to check the air pressure in the tank. The pressure value should be less than the readings of the pump when it is turned on, which is set on the relay to a parameter of up to 1 bar. To connect the hydraulic tank to the pump, you will need to purchase the following parts:

Connector with 5 outlets.
Pressure switch.
Pressure gauge.
Sealant.
Tow.

This is interesting! To ensure a reliable connection, it is recommended to use tow with a sealant. The use of FUM tape reduces the reliability of the connection, so it is recommended to give preference to the first two options together.

When connecting a water supply with a hydraulic accumulator Special attention you need to use a fitting with 5 outlets. This part is used to connect products such as a pump, relay and pressure gauge. The remaining outlet is intended for connecting the water supply.

On initial stage To collect the circuit, you need to connect the fitting to the container using a rigid hose. After this, an adjustable water pressure relay is installed, as well as a pressure gauge to determine the pressure value. Attention should be paid to the relay, which is responsible for the upper and lower pressure thresholds. This is a mechanical relay that is closed from the outside plastic cover. Under the cover there are 4 contacts, which are called “network” and “pump”. Thanks to these inscriptions, it is simply impossible to confuse the connection of the network and the pump. However, if you are not sure of the correctness of your actions, you need to contact an electrician.

At the final stage, the pump is connected, after which a test is carried out for leaks from the connections. When installing connections, be sure to avoid the presence of moisture. To ensure that the sealant does not lose its properties, it should be applied exclusively to dry joints; otherwise, it is better to give preference to FUM tape. Schematically, the hydraulic accumulator connection diagram looks like this:

Connection diagram with submersible pump

From the name it is clear that the circuit with a submersible pump will differ significantly from the features of connecting a hydraulic accumulator when installing the product in a well. The submersible pump is installed in an aquatic environment. This can be a well or well, from which water is supplied directly to the accumulator. In such a system, one cannot do without the use of a check valve.

This is interesting! The check valve will prevent the return of water from the rubber membrane back into the well. A check valve is a part that allows water to flow in only one direction.

The check valve is installed at the outlet of the pump. A pipe is mounted to the outlet of the check valve, which is connected to the hydraulic accumulator. A fitting with five terminals is also mounted here, to which they connect additional elements. From the receiver, a pipe is laid into the house through which water will flow. When installing a pump installed in a well, it should be taken into account that the unit should not reach the bottom of the well by approximately 30 cm. In addition, when choosing a well pump, you should choose good quality product so that it does not require annual repairs or replacement.

This is interesting! If the size of the well allows, then when connecting the hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system through a submersible pump, it is recommended to use receivers with a capacity of at least 33 liters. The advantage of submersible pumps is the ability to use water without taking into account its cost.

Schematically, the piping diagram for a well is as follows:

Connection diagram for several hydraulic tanks

Cases often arise when owners come to the conclusion that one hydraulic accumulator is not enough. In this case, there is no need to replace the existing hydraulic tank, since you can resort to installing two hydraulic accumulators. Installation of the subsequent or subsequent hydraulic tanks is carried out parallel to the installed one.

There is no need to reconfigure an existing system, and the relay will control the pressure in the tank on which it is installed. Such a system has its advantages, one of which is a greater degree of viability. If one of the hydraulic tanks is damaged, the system will continue to function thanks to the remaining devices.

In addition, if you bought one tank of 50 liters, which turned out to be not enough, then it is much easier to purchase another tank of similar capacity rather than replacing it with a 100-liter tank. The cost of a 100-liter tank will be higher than purchasing two 50-liter tanks. It is much easier to install two 50-liter tanks than to install one, which has a diameter twice as large.

How to properly configure a water supply system using two or more receivers? The principle is similar to those options that were presented above, only a tee will need to be screwed to the input of the first. The input from the pump is connected to the free outlet from the tee, and a second container is connected to the remaining one. After connecting the connection, you can test the circuit.

Connection diagram at the pumping station

It remains important to consider the question of how to connect the hydraulic tank at the pumping station? Pumping stations have a certain number of pumps that operate depending on water flow. The more consumers open the taps, the more pumps are put into operation. To eliminate the constant switching on of pumps when water flows, hydraulic accumulators are used at pumping stations. With their help, you can extend the service life of units, as well as compensate for pressure surges that occur in the system.

Another important advantage of using hydraulic tanks at a booster pumping station is that the consumer receives an uninterrupted supply of water even during a power outage. As soon as the power is turned off, the pumps will not function, so water will not be supplied to consumers. The water reserve in the receiver allows you to supply consumers with required quantity water until electricity appears.

This is interesting! The supply of water during a power outage directly depends on parameters such as the capacity of the receiver at the pumping station, as well as the number of consumers.

The installation diagram of a hydraulic accumulator at a pumping station has the following schematic form:

Measuring pressure, and what it should be in the receiver

The pressure in the accumulator is interest Ask, since many depend on it various factors. Not only the water pressure in the tap, but also the following factors depend on the correctly set pressure in the hydraulic tank:

Duration of service life of the rubber membrane. The higher the pressure, the shorter its service life will be.
The service life of the pipelines through which water is supplied to the house. At high pressure, pipelines may not withstand, which will lead to damage.
Reduced service life of mixers and taps, as water leakage will occur at high pressure.

The pressure must be optimal, otherwise you will need to constantly repair the water supply in the house. For normal functioning household appliances need to maintain pressure in the range from 1.4 to 2.8 atmospheres. To extend the service life of the membrane, preventing its rupture, you should set the pressure below the tank value by 0.1-0.2 atmospheres. This means that if the pressure in the tank is 1.5 atmospheres, then in the system it must be at least 1.6 atmospheres. These parameters are set directly on the relay. For this purpose, the relay device has a corresponding regulator. The pressure value can only be measured using a pressure gauge installed in the system. This pressure is optimal for water supply to a private one-story house.

This is interesting! The value of such a parameter as pressure determines whether the water pressure in the house on the first and second floors will be the same.

If the house is two-story, then a pressure of 1.5 atmospheres will not be enough. When the tap is opened on the first floor, the pump will supply water at a lower speed to the second floor. To compensate for the rate of water flow, you need to increase the pressure. There is a special formula for calculating water pressure for two-story house. This formula looks like this:

where, Hmax is the height of the highest point of water intake. It is necessary to measure the height from the level of the pipeline to the tap located on the second floor.

By substituting the measured value into the formula, you should calculate the pressure that will be needed for normal water supply to a two-story house. If a jacuzzi is installed in the house, then the required pressure value should be selected exclusively by experience. If experimental selection of pressure shows the need to set a value of more than 6 atmospheres, then it is prohibited to set it. This will lead to early failure of the receiver or its explosion.

How to choose the right hydraulic accumulator

What parameters are important to pay attention to when regulating the pressure in the system is now known, it remains to find out how to choose the receiver itself. The main working part of any receiver is not a steel tank, but a rubber membrane. The service life of the hydraulic accumulator depends on the quality of this product. For the production of membranes they use different types rubber, but the most effective material is isobutane. The longer the rubber base lasts, the longer the service life of the steel case. After all, if the “pear” allows water to pass through, the process of metal corrosion will begin. Soon the steel tank will rust and it will no longer be suitable for use.

This is interesting! If you want to save money when choosing a receiver, then it is better not to buy it at all. Good quality models have a service life of more than 5 years, but products from an unknown manufacturer last no more than 1 year.

Second an important detail the receiver is a flange. Often, galvanized metal is used to produce this part. On quality products The metal thickness is more than 1 mm. If the receiver is equipped with a flange whose wall thickness is 1 mm or less, then the service life of the product will not exceed one year. In this case, the seller can give a guarantee for the product for 1 year, during which the flange fails. It is not possible to repair the flange, so there are only two options left: buy a new flange and replace it yourself, or purchase a new accumulator.

This is interesting! When choosing a product, be sure to pay attention to the thickness of the flange. The thicker the flange, the longer the service life of the accumulator.

The color of the product does not matter, since over time the paint begins to peel off. Manufacturers of high-quality hydraulic accumulators claim that their service life is at least 10-15 years, however, as practice shows, this period usually does not exceed 10 years. For the product to last long years, you need not only to buy a quality product, but also to carry out annual preventive maintenance.

Hydraulic accumulators are sold both separately and together with an electric motor with a pump. If you do not have a pump for water supply, then best option– is to buy a pumping station assembled. However, the assembled structure will cost slightly more than buying all the products separately. When purchasing a hydraulic accumulator, do not forget about additional components, without which it is impossible to install the device.

When installing an autonomous water supply system, it is necessary to achieve stable pressure in the network. Pressure surges and water hammer affect the comfort of using communications and, more importantly, can cause breakdowns household appliances. To normalize the operation of the water supply system, hydraulic accumulators are installed. IN autonomous systems they perform the same functions as water towers in centralized networks. The hydraulic accumulator is the main unit connecting the pump group with the internal water supply. How to connect a hydraulic accumulator to submersible pump? How to choose and install it correctly?

There are hydraulic tanks different forms, volumes and configurations. For each system you can choose the best option

How different types of hydraulic accumulators work

The main structural elements are the body, the membrane and the nipple. The storage tank body is a sealed cylinder designed to operate under a pressure of 1.5-6 atmospheres. Maximum load – 10 atmospheres. A membrane is fixed at the neck of the housing, access to which is only possible through a special flange with a valve. On the opposite side there is a nipple through which air is pumped into the tank. The entire structure is mounted on legs.

Depending on the configuration, vertical and horizontal storage tanks are distinguished. They work on the same principle with the difference that large-volume vertical models (over 50 l) have a special valve through which air is released. This is necessary because during operation of the plumbing system, excess air gradually accumulates. Therefore, a valve is installed on top of vertical accumulators, and a drain or tap is installed in horizontal accumulators. In small-volume tanks, the air is vented, completely draining the water.

Video: operating principle and functions of hydraulic tanks

Diagram for connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump

In order for the pump to properly serve its intended life, it must be operated in the mode provided technical characteristics. Submersible equipment should be turned on no more than 5-20 times per minute (exact indicators are indicated in the documentation for the specific model).

The pressure switch gives a command to turn on the pump when the pressure in the system drops to the specified parameters. If a hydraulic accumulator is not installed, the pressure drops even when minimum consumption water, and the equipment will constantly turn on and off. This will lead to rapid wear and breakage.

Connect to the water supply circuit storage tank, which allows you to reduce the frequency of turning the pump on and off and extend its service life. The volume of the device is also selected taking into account the intensity of water consumption, power and installation height of the pump.

Diagram: installation location of the hydraulic tank in an autonomous water supply network

Tank connection procedure

A pressure hose is removed from the mounted pump and connected to a pressure switch through a manifold with five connectors (“five-piece”).
The flow is diverted from the “five-piece” to the hydraulic tank.
One collector pipe is connected to the water supply network, and another to the control unit.
A check valve is installed between the “five-piece” and the pump. It is needed so that when the pump stops working, the water does not drain back into the well or borehole.

Video instructions for assembling a pump group with a storage tank

Features of installing a hydraulic accumulator

The hydraulic accumulator is attached to the floor through rubber gaskets. Flexible adapters are used to connect to pipes. If the device is new or has not been used for a long time, it should be filled very carefully for the first time so as not to damage the membrane, which may stick together due to long-term inactivity. It is advisable to remove all air before filling.

The location for mounting the hydraulic accumulator is chosen so that it has easy access for maintenance. If you don’t have the skills, it’s better not to take risks and install the device yourself, but to turn to more competent people, especially if you have to connect two submersible pumps to one accumulator.

How to set up the device correctly

New hydraulic accumulators are set up at the manufacturing plant. Typically the pressure is 1.5 atmospheres. However, it may take a long time before the sale occurs, and the performance declines. Therefore, the first thing you need to check is the pressure. An electronic or mechanical pressure gauge is suitable for monitoring. You can use a car one.

Some models of hydraulic tanks are specially equipped with pressure gauges. But you can choose any device. The main thing is that it is accurate. Even 0.5 atmospheres affects the operation of the drive. For the same reason, it is better not to use plastic Chinese pressure gauges. They rarely show accurate data.

If you need to achieve high pressure in the network, leave the “factory” 1.5 atmospheres. If the water is used only for domestic household needs, the indicator can be reduced to 1 atmosphere. The higher the pressure, the more air in the hydraulic tank and the less water volume. Therefore, many homeowners bleed off excess air to increase the capacity of the tank and reduce the frequency of pump activation.

The pressure switch sets the upper and lower limits at which the pump will turn on and off. For this purpose, two nuts and springs are provided under the device cover. You can use them to adjust the settings. The optimal difference between the pressure on and off is 1-2 atmospheres. Too large a difference is also undesirable, because this will lead to rapid wear of the hydraulic tank membrane.

When choosing a hydraulic tank model, you need not only to determine the required volume and technical characteristics, but also to find out what material the membrane is made of. The seller must have certificates of conformity, a sanitary and hygienic certificate, which indicate the scope of application of the drive. You need to choose a model designed for systems with cold drinking water.

As for manufacturing companies, the brands Aguasistem, Varem, Wester Line, Zilmet, and Reflex have proven themselves well. Hydraulic tanks are equipped with spare flanges and membranes. When purchasing, make sure they are in stock. If the hydraulic accumulator is selected and installed correctly, in a dry place, and the owner carries out timely Maintenance, the device will last for many years.

The water supply chain is key point autonomous water supply devices.

This device is designed to solve not only the issue of creating a small water reserve, but also to relieve owners of dachas and private houses from variable pressure in the network.

Due to its design, the hydraulic tank also allows you to reduce the work of the pumping station, thereby extending its service life.

Equipment

As practice shows, the minimum possible volume of hydraulic accumulators for installation in a private house or cottage should not have a volume less than 24 liters.

It is desirable that this value be slightly higher than the required requirement in order to create a small reserve.

The main point when choosing will be the peak value of water demand, as well as the power of the pumping station. At the same time, the amount of water that will be in the hydraulic accumulator should be enough so that even at maximum load, the pump is turned on no more than 30 times in one minute.

Typically, the volume of the required hydraulic accumulator is determined based on the number of consumers (bath, washing machine, etc.). The more there are, the correspondingly higher the volume value should be.

And if you install an option with a smaller volume than required, you can buy another hydraulic tank and install it in addition to the first one, their volume will be summed up.

It is important to know: The membrane material must match the expected load.

Also, when choosing, it is worth considering that the volume of water inside the tank will occupy no more than half of the total volume. It is also worth considering that to combat water hammer small options gyroaccumulators are ineffective, and if you install an excessively large one, then water stagnation is possible in them.

For models of significant size, there must be a reliable base so that it can withstand the considerable weight of the device and the water in it.

In order to more optimally select a hydraulic tank, it is advisable to carry out calculations by contacting specialists.

Accommodation

Some options can be placed in the basement or on the first floor, here everything will depend on the power of the option and at what height the water will have to be supplied.

It is best to install the hydraulic accumulator on the very high point home to create maximum pressure online. In this case, you can use both the attic and the second floor (in the case of a two-story house).

The installation location should not have high humidity. The reason is that in this case condensation will form on the surface of the tank. Over time it will first destroy paintwork hydraulic tank, and will then lead to metal corrosion. The surface on which installation will take place must be secure and level.

Before installing the unit, you must first check the air pressure level to see if it matches the required values. Because in the future, after installing it, in order to make such a measurement, you will have to drain the water and turn off the pump.

Procedure

Connection installation diagram of this device should be determined by various design features system to which it is connected, as well as the type of pumping station used to supply water.

There are several connection options, which depend on the type of pump used:

submersible option, which must be placed in water;
surface, attached closer to the hydraulic accumulator.

Due to the peculiarities of their design, the connection schemes for storage systems differ.

So, using a surface pump, the procedure will be as follows:

All threaded connections sit on the FUM tape, according to generally accepted rules for such connections. After this, you can begin operating the installed hydraulic accumulator.

Take into account: It is advisable to install such units closer to pumping stations, for greater efficiency.

Connection using a submersible pump occurs as follows:

First of all, the pump itself must be immersed in water. After this, the pressure hose coming from it is connected to the same manifold as described above.
Next, from the same collector we make a branch for the hydraulic accumulator.
The last step is to connect one more pipe to the water supply, and the rest to the pump control system.

But, there is one peculiarity in the connection.

It is necessary to place a check valve between the collector and the pump to prevent water from draining back into the well after turning off the water supply.

It is advisable to install it directly at the neck of the pump pipe. And the water from this entire system should flow into the tap after the filter. (You can read more about connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump in).

Watch the video in which a specialist explains how to install a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system with your own hands:

An indispensable device in modern systems water supply is not only a pump. Very often it is supplemented with a hydraulic accumulator, which can be included with the pump or purchased and installed separately.

Installing a hydraulic accumulator is very useful solution which improves the quality of work. Let's take a closer look at exactly how this mechanism works, how it works and how it is mounted.

1 The design of the hydraulic accumulator and the principle of its operation

First, we will describe the device of a hydraulic accumulator: it is a container with a metal casing, inside of which there is a membrane (or a cylinder, depending on the design). Pressure is created between it and the walls of the housing - thanks to compressed air pumped into the space.

Most often, the installation is used in water supply, but it is also important to use a hydraulic accumulator for heating - it is also suitable for this.

The objectives of the mechanism are as follows:

Water accumulation.
Maintaining stable pressure in the system.
Providing water to the system when the pump is not running.

The operating principle is as follows: water enters the membrane, pumped by a pump. The membrane is filled and fills the space inside the housing (naturally, to a certain volume).

On the other hand, the pumped air begins to put pressure on the water, thereby displacing it into the water supply system. In this case, the pump operates up to a certain point - until the water pressure inside the tank reaches a certain limit.

After this, the unit turns off, and the air acting on it begins to “squeeze” water into the network. Well, when the liquid leaves the container and the pressure drops to a certain (only now minimum) level, the pump will start working again from the automatic control unit.

1.1 Classification

The range of products on the market is quite extensive, so it will be useful for the buyer to find out in advance what exactly they are, how they are classified, and which model is best to choose.

The differences lie in a number of factors, each of which should be mentioned.

According to the location of the container, the device can be either horizontal or vertical.

There may also be differences in the type of working part. In this regard, there are two variations: membrane or balloon. In the first case, the space inside the container is divided into two parts by a membrane: water flows into one, air is pumped into the second.

In the second case, an elastic cylinder is contained inside the container, into which liquid flows, and air is pumped into the free space between its walls and the walls of the body.

Separately, it is necessary to mention the volume - this is, in fact, the key parameter of any capacity. The most popular sizes are 24, 50, 100 and 200 liters. However, you can also find containers of other sizes on sale - 6, 12, or vice versa - 300 liters.

There are also larger devices - for example, the Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator, which can have a volume of up to 2000 liters. The Reflex hydraulic accumulator has a smaller capacity - the largest model has a volume of 1000 liters. The Wester hydraulic accumulator has the same limits.

The material from which the membrane (balloon) is made also deserves detailed attention. It can be either butyl or rubber. The differences are quite serious:

butyl has an upper temperature limit of +99 degrees;
for rubber this mark is lower - only +50 degrees.

This is very important nuance for those who choose a heating device. However, most often devices modern manufacturers(the same Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator) use butyl.

And finally, we need to mention the manufacturers of products of this type. Several items that are most popular have already been mentioned above. This is a Wester and Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator. Models of these brands are included in the high-budget segment, but the quality is appropriate.

The Reflex hydraulic accumulator is already cheaper, but at the same time it is practically not inferior in quality. In addition to these names, we can also highlight Gilex, which is quite popular on the Russian market for its positive qualities: low cost and reliability.

1.2 How to correctly calculate the volume of a hydraulic accumulator?

In principle, the main point that deserves attention is the volume of the tank. The material of the membrane (cylinder) was also mentioned above, however, such devices are used less frequently for heating, so we will focus on capacity.

It should be said right away that models with a capacity of several hundred liters (for example, the Aquasystem VAV 2000 hydraulic accumulator for 2000 liters or the Wester Line WAV 1000 hydraulic accumulator for 1000 liters) are suitable for providing water to large buildings (hotels, hospitals - for example).

For an ordinary residential building, this volume will be a lot, and buying such a model will be a waste of money. Moreover, they cost quite a lot: for example, the mentioned Wester Line WAV 1000 hydraulic accumulator will cost more than 10 thousand dollars, and the Aquasystem VAV 2000 hydraulic accumulator will cost three dozen.

For a cottage in which 3-4 people permanently live, a capacity of up to 100-200 liters will be sufficient (and this is with a huge margin). Often, buyers in such conditions are limited to models of 24-50 liters (for example, the Aquasystem VAV 50 hydraulic accumulator or the Wester Line WAV 50 hydraulic accumulator).

An increase to 100-200 liters is relevant if there are more residents in the house, and/or there are a large number of water intake points (2 toilets and 5-10 taps, for example). In this case, you should pay attention to the Wester Line WAV 100 hydraulic accumulator or the Aquasystem VAV 100 hydraulic accumulator.

For accuracy, we provide a more detailed calculation that will help the buyer more accurately select the appropriate device.

2 Stages and nuances of installation

We figured out how to perform the calculation and how to choose a device. Now we need to mention how exactly the hydraulic accumulator is connected to the water supply system. If you wish, you can do this work yourself - if you follow the tips below, then there should be no difficulties.

In this case, it does not matter which model is connected - a Reflex hydraulic accumulator for a couple of tens of liters or a tank for 300 liters.

The preparation looks like this:

First of all, you need to choose the place where the equipment will be located: the station automatic water supply and, in fact, the tank itself. They do not have to be placed next to each other, but most often this is how it is done.
The pressure inside the container is checked. It is necessary that this indicator be approximately 0.2-1 atmospheres lower than the parameter set on the automatic pump start relay. Otherwise, you can (and should) adjust it yourself.

Now you need to take care of necessary details to connect:

A fitting with 5 outputs: for the tank itself, for the automatic switch-on relay, for the pressure gauge, for the pump and, in fact, for the water line itself.
Pressure gauge (with a scale up to 10 atmospheres).
FUM tape (for sealing joints).

Now let’s look at how you can make the connection yourself:

The fitting is connected to the container using a hose.
A pressure gauge, relay, pump, etc. are connected to other outputs of the fitting. Each connection is pre-sealed with FUM tape.

Upon completion of work, you should perform trial run pump - to determine the tightness of the system. To do this, you need to carefully inspect the connection points: there should be no leaks along them.

When connecting the pressure switch with your own hands, be sure to look very carefully at the marks that are marked under its cover. There are two of them - these are "Network" and "Pump", and under no circumstances should they be confused. It is possible that these marks will not appear at all (this happens with some models) - in this case, it is recommended not to make the connection yourself, but to use the help of an electrician.