Why do we need a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems
Hydraulic accumulator is a metal sealed container, inside of which there is an elastic membrane. This device is necessary to maintain constant pressure in the water supply and protect the water pump from premature failure due to frequent use. If you want to buy a hydraulic accumulator and install it yourself in a private house, you need to understand its technical characteristics and principle of operation.
Hydraulic accumulator functions
A hydraulic accumulator, also called a membrane tank or hydraulic tank, performs a number of functions:
- Maintains the pressure in the plumbing system at a stable level.
- Saves the pump from wear and tear due to frequent use. There is a certain volume of water in the hydraulic tank, so the pump does not start working for every opening of the tap, but only when the water is completely used up. Each pump has a standard indicator of the number of starts per hour. The use of a hydraulic tank allows you to increase the number of unclaimed pump connections, and this affects its service, increasing the operating period.
- Protects the plumbing system from probabilistic water hammer that occurs at the time of connecting the pump, which can seriously damage the pipeline.
- Allows you to create a certain amount of water in the system. Thanks to this, you will always have water, even during periods of power outage, and this is not uncommon in our world. This feature is especially useful for owners of country houses.
What is a hydraulic accumulator
It is worth noting that the capacity of the hydraulic tank is sealed and divided into two chambers using a special membrane, the first is reserved for water, the second is for air.
Hydraulic accumulator device
As for the air chamber, it has a pneumatic valve that regulates pressure. The connecting branch pipe, with a carving, allows to fill the hydroaccumulator with water.
The connecting pipeline is selected in such a way that it matches the pressure pipe in diameter, as this directly affects the occurrence of hydraulic losses in the water supply system.
Watch the video: Why is there a hydraulic accumulator in the water supply system
In a hydraulic accumulator designed for a water volume of more than 100 liters, a valve is provided that bleeds the air accumulated in the water. For a smaller hydraulic tank, without such a valve, devices are placed in the water supply system that allow air to be bled. It can be either a tee or a tap that shuts off the central water main.
In general, the accumulator should be mounted in such a way that it can be easily disassembled for repair or maintenance work, without draining all the water from the system.
How a hydraulic accumulator works
The operating principles are as follows:
- Water is supplied by a pump to the membrane of the hydraulic tank, thanks to the pressure that has been created;
- As soon as the pressure has reached the desired level, the pump turns off, which means that the water stops flowing;
- After the next water intake, the pressure gradually decreases, so the pump automatically turns on, starting to supply water to the membrane.
Scheme of operation of the hydraulic accumulator
It has been established that the maximum efficiency of the hydraulic tank directly depends on its total volume. There is the possibility of regulating the operation of the pressure switch.
During operation, the air dissolved in the aquatic environment accumulates in the membrane of the device. This reduces the efficiency of the membrane tank. To correct the situation, it is necessary to carry out preventive work, during which air is bled.
The connection diagram of the accumulator directly depends on its purpose. The battery devices are not like a regular water tank, so special knowledge and skills are required to install them. Installation should be carried out by an experienced specialist, since the operation of the entire plumbing system directly depends on him.
