VERTICAL AIR RECEIVER TANK

Vertical galvanized air receiver tank

An air receiver tank is an almost indispensable component for a compressor to guarantee proper operation. Moreover, it is an energy-efficient and relatively inexpensive way to stabilize compressed air.

The purpose of the air receiver tank.

The air receiver tank stores compressed air for use, and provides it with the right pressure differential at the right pressure.

This offers the following advantages:

• The air receiver tank ensures that during short peak demand you have enough compressed air at the correct working pressure. This may allow you to avoid needing a larger compressor.
• With fluctuating compressed-air consumption, the (screw) compressor must frequently switch from loaded to unloaded operation and back again. The tank smooths out these pressure and flow fluctuations, resulting in lower energy consumption and a longer compressor service life.
• For a piston compressor, the air receiver tank is essential to smooth out pulsating pressure.

Determining the capacity of your air receiver tank.

The formula for calculating the capacity of the air receiver tank:

• For a screw, vane or scroll compressor: multiply the compressor flow rate by a factor of 0.3
  e.g. compressor = 1000 litres x 0.3 = 300 litres
• For a piston compressor this is less decisive, as these types of compressors are usually already equipped with a tank. More important for a piston compressor is that it has sufficient air flow. The tank is of secondary importance.

If the compressed-air demand is constant and steady, the need for a large tank capacity is less important. If there are many peak moments and you work with a conventional screw compressor, then a larger tank is recommended. If you work with a VSD/PM screw compressor, in theory no air receiver tank is needed, but it is still recommended to provide a small tank (e.g. 500 litres).

To calculate the tank capacity in detail, the following parameters must be taken into account:

• Maximum pressure and working pressure (delta) in the compressed-air system
• Minimum pressure required for the application
• Pressure losses in the compressed air network. (With EQOfluids, virtually negligible)
• Pressure drop caused by the dryer. Between 0.2 and 0.8 bar depending on the dryer.
• Pressure drop caused by the filters
• The service intervals specified by the manufacturer
• The compressor flow rate / output
• The required flow rate, more compressor-related than tank-related
• Peak consumption: duration, frequency and volume; here too, this is more a concern for the compressor
• Compressor type: piston, screw, scroll, vane, or VSD/PM screw
• Diameter and length of the compressed air network; this also serves as compressed air storage when the piping is oversized

Need help calculating the required volume for your compressed air receiver? Ask our advisor for a suitable quote.

Javac has powder-coated compressed air receivers of 270 litres, as well as hot-dip galvanized receivers with capacities of 500 and 1000 litres. Available in working pressures of 11, 16 and 40 bar. These are stock items. Larger receivers are also available from us; lead times apply.

What maximum pressure for my compressed air installation?

In industrial environments, the common maximum pressures for compressed air are 11 bar or 16 bar; for high-pressure compressors we also offer 40 bar receivers. The safety valve, pressure gauge and fittings are matched to this pressure. It is best to choose the maximum pressure of the compressed air receiver 1 bar higher than the compressed air pressure. For a working pressure of 8 bar (delta 10 bar), choose a compressed air receiver rated at 11 bar. If you work at 13 bar (e.g. for tyre businesses), choose a 16 bar receiver. Also take into account the safety regulations regarding the minimum and maximum temperature, and the location of the compressed air receiver.

Compressed air receiver configuration

Are you unsure whether to choose a (more affordable) powder-coated receiver or a galvanized (galva) compressed air receiver? A galvanized receiver is more expensive than a powder-coated version, but has a noticeably longer service life. The thick zinc layer on the inside and outside makes the receiver resistant to rust. Unlike the cheaper cold galvanizing, Javac uses hot-dip galvanized corrosion protection (Hot dipped galvanized). By coating the inside as well with a layer of zinc, internal corrosion caused by condensate water left behind during compressed air production in the receiver is largely prevented.

If you install the compressed air receiver upstream of the dryer, a galvanized unit is a must to prevent corrosion. Compressed air contains a large amount of water. The combination of the zinc treatment, food-grade oil in the compressor, and a series of filters before and after the dryer prevents the compressed air from being contaminated with impurities that could pose a risk to food safety. Any further treatment, such as plastification or Vitroflex, therefore offers no added value.

Install the compressed air receiver upstream or downstream of the dryer?

A “wet air receiver” is connected directly to the compressor and is installed upstream of the condensate or adsorption dryer. The compressed air flows directly from the compressor to the receiver, and is then dried at the top of the tank via the pre-filter by the compressed air dryer.

Advantage:

• Condensate and various particles end up at the bottom of the compressed air receiver. These are not captured by the pre-filter, so the air dryer is partially relieved. This results in higher efficiency of the pre-filter and, likewise, the dryer. Drain the condensate (water, dirt, oil residues, etc.) from the compressed air receiver daily via the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. This condensate is classified as hazardous waste and must be treated as such. Water accumulates surprisingly quickly and significantly reduces the receiver’s capacity. In this way, you ensure that your compressed air receiver contributes to a smooth and energy-efficient compressed air supply.
• The compressor runs more smoothly thanks to a virtually non-existent pressure drop.

A “dry air receiver” is installed downstream of the dryer and receives already dried compressed air with some filtration.

Advantage:

• The compressed air from the dry receiver is ready for use. This also performs optimally during peak demand.
• The dryer capacity can be calculated more accurately.

In larger compressed air systems with fluctuating flow, it is best to provide both a wet and a dry receiver. If the flow is constant, a wet air receiver is sufficient.

When is an additional compressed air receiver for the compressor recommended?

Are you experiencing pressure drops on the compressed air network? For example, because your compressed air installation is quite extensive, or because you have installed an additional large compressed air consumer? Then install an additional receiver on your network. The ideal location for this additional compressed air receiver is at the far end of the (ring) main, or next to the larger compressed air consumer. This helps you avoid troublesome pressure drops.

If you have any further questions about our vertical compressed air receivers, do not hesitate to contact us.