Pressure tanks play a crucial role in maintaining pressure stability and ensuring the smooth operation of fluid systems across various industrial sectors. Their use differs from that of ordinary tanks or bitumen tanks, which are designed for storing specific materials.
In industrial operations, the function of a pressure tank is not limited to fluid storage, but also helps control pressure and maintain the performance of piping systems. Read on to learn more about how they work, their functions, and the different types available.
What Is a Pressure Tank?
A pressure tank is a pressurized tank designed to store fluids while maintaining pressure stability within a system. A fluid refers to any substance, including liquids or gases, that can flow easily, change shape, and conform to the shape of its container.
These pressure tanks are typically integrated with pumps and piping systems to support smooth fluid distribution for various operational needs.
In the industrial sector, pressure tanks are used as part of process systems to maintain continuous fluid flow, reduce pressure fluctuations, and support the performance of various equipment such as pumps, compressors, and piping systems.
Pressure Tank Functions
In industrial settings, a pressure tank is more than a container for storing pressurized fluids. This component also essentially helps maintain pressure stability so that production, distribution, and storage processes can proceed safely and efficiently. Here are some functions of pressure tanks in industrial operations that you should know:
1. Mitigating Pressure Surges (Water Hammer)
Pressure tanks help mitigate sudden pressure changes in piping systems, including those caused by changes in pump operating conditions.
With more controlled pressure, the load on pipes, fittings, and system components can be minimized, thereby supporting operational reliability and safety.
2. Maintaining Stable Water Pressure
Water pressure tanks serve a different function than conventional water storage tanks. Aside from holding fluid, these tanks are designed to help maintain water pressure within an appropriate range throughout the piping system.
With more stable pressure, water demand at various points of use can be consistently met, even when multiple pieces of equipment are operating simultaneously.
3. Reducing Pump Cycle Frequency
The water pressure tank also helps reduce the frequency of pump on-off cycles. When the tank still has sufficient pressure to meet the system’s needs, the pump does not need to operate every time water is drawn from the system.
This helps reduce the pump’s start-stop cycles, thereby better controlling energy consumption and component wear.
4. Providing a Temporary Water Supply
A pressure tank can also supply a certain amount of pressurized water when the pump is not running. In situations such as a power outage or a temporary pump shutdown, the stored water can still be delivered to the system as long as drawdown capacity remains available.
Drawdown is the volume of water that can be drawn from the pressure tank between the cut-out (pump stops) and cut-in (pump restarts) pressure conditions.
However, a pressure tank is not a primary backup source that can be used to meet water needs during long-term operational disruptions.
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How Does a Pressure Tank Work?
A water pressure tank essentially uses the air pressure inside the tank to store and push fluid into the system when needed.
When the pump begins filling the pressure tank, water enters the tank and displaces the air inside. This process continues until the pressure reaches the cut-out limit, which is the maximum pressure setting at which the pump stops operating.
Once that limit is reached, the pressure switch (the button that controls the pump’s operation based on pressure) will shut off the pump.
When water is used in the system, the previously compressed air pushes the water out of the pressure tank into the piping system.
As the volume of water decreases, the pressure inside the tank also drops. When it reaches the cut-in limit, which is the minimum pressure at which the pump resumes operation, the pressure switch will activate the pump to refill the tank.
Types of Pressure Tanks
Pressure tanks can be classified based on the mechanism used to separate water and air inside the tank. Each type has different characteristics and maintenance requirements. Here are some commonly used types of pressure tanks:
1. Diaphragm Tank
Diaphragm tanks use an elastic membrane (diaphragm) to separate the water chamber from the air chamber. As water enters the tank, the membrane is compressed, causing the air on the other side to generate the pressure needed to support water distribution.
This type of tank is generally suitable for systems with relatively small capacity requirements, such as small-scale buildings or facilities with modest water needs. This is because the drawdown capacity tends to be limited.
2. Bladder Tank
A bladder tank is equipped with a flexible bladder that holds the water, while pressurized air occupies the space outside the bladder. This design prevents direct contact between the water and air, allowing pressure within the tank to remain more consistent.
In addition to offering good efficiency, the bladder in some models can be replaced if damaged, thereby extending the tank’s usable life.
3. Air-over-Water Tank
An air-over-water tank does not use a membrane or bladder to separate water and air. Both are contained within the same tank chamber, with air at the top and water at the bottom.
Their construction is relatively simple, and the initial cost can be lower. However, some air may dissolve into the water during operation, so the tank needs to be refilled periodically. This makes maintenance requirements generally higher than diaphragm tanks and bladder tanks.
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Differences Between Pressure Tanks and Regular Tanks
Although both are used to hold water or fluids, pressure tanks and regular tanks have different functions and operational characteristics.
Pressure tanks are designed to store fluids while regulating and maintaining pressure within the system. Meanwhile, regular tanks generally function as fluid storage containers without a pressure control mechanism.
In industrial operations, pressure tanks are more suitable for systems that require stable pressure and flow, while regular tanks are used when the primary need is storage.
Industrial Water Solutions from CDI to Optimize Pressure Tank Performance
Selecting the right pressure tank must be supported by a reliable water supply so that industrial systems can operate optimally.
As an affiliate company of PT Chandra Daya Investasi Tbk (CDI), PT Krakatau Tirta Industri (KTI) focuses on providing industrial water solutions for various sectors, including meeting the operational needs of the Chandra Asri Group.
To deliver these services, KTI sources raw water from the Cidanau River, Cipasauran River, and Nadra Krenceng Reservoir. This water is treated through Water Treatment Plant (WTP) facilities to produce a reliable supply of clean water that supports various industrial operational needs.
One of the facilities operated by KTI is the Krenceng WTP, with an installed capacity of 1,800 liters per second. This plant treats raw water sourced from the Cidanau River to ensure a consistent supply of clean water for industrial customers.
KTI also operates the Cidanau WTP, which is supported by three intake pumps, each with a capacity of 600 liters per second. The water supply to this facility is supported by the Cipasauran Dam, located approximately 45 kilometers from Cilegon toward Labuan, which serves to raise the water level of the Cipasaur River.
Through its integrated infrastructure, KTI provides industrial water solutions that support the operational sustainability of various industrial sectors. This commitment is part of our efforts to deliver reliable infrastructure services that support our customers’ business growth, in line with the spirit of #YourGrowthPartner.
Contact us for more information about solutions tailored to your company’s needs. Do not hesitate to entrust your company’s industrial water solution needs to CDI and KTI!
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