Compressed air tank

Cập nhật lần cuối ngày 16/06/2023 lúc 12:04 chiều

Compressed air tanks they are important devices for every compressed air system and are available in various sizes and shapes. In this article, let’s explore the importance, function, structure, and other relevant knowledge related to compressed air tanks together with VIVA.

What is a compressed air tank?

A compressed air tank (also known as an air receiver tank) is a device used to store and supply high-pressure compressed air for a compressed air system. It is used in various applications, including industrial, automotive, medical, electronics, and more.

Due to the nature of the work, compressed air tanks are constructed from materials capable of withstanding high pressure, such as commonly used steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. The volume of a compressed air tank depends on the scale of the compressed air system and can range from a few liters to thousands of liters (7 liters, 10 liters, 20 liters, etc.).

Air from the environment is compressed at high pressure through an air compressor and then stored inside the compressed air tank. The compressed air from the tank is then used to operate the compressed air system.

When compressed air is needed, the tank supplies compressed air pressure to the system through valves and connecting pipes. The pressure in the tank gradually decreases as compressed air is used, and when the pressure reaches a certain level, the tank is refilled with compressed air from the air compressor.

A compressed air tank is an integral part of a compressed air system, allowing for storage and supply of high pressure when needed.

Note that a compressed air tank is different from a hydraulic accumulator or a water storage tank, even though they all serve the purpose of storing high-pressure fluids. Due to the different properties of compressed air, water, and hydraulic oil, the tanks used for these different fluids have distinct designs.

Technical specifications of compressed air tanks

Compressed air tanks come with various options and can be provided as either an accessory with an air compressor (typically used for small-scale systems) or as standalone devices capable of storing air up to thousands of liters (commonly used for large-scale industrial systems).
Common options for the technical specifications of compressed air tanks include:

• Material: Carbon steel, stainless steel
• Design: Vertical or horizontal
• Volume: 7 liters, 10 liters, 20 liters, 30 liters, 40 liters, etc.
• Working pressure options: 8 bar, 10 bar, 20 bar, etc.
• Origin: China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc.
• Warranty policy: 1-to-1 replacement within 12 months.

Structure and Operation of Compressed Air Receiver Tank

The structure and operation of a compressed air receiver tank, which is a topic of great interest, have been provided to our customers during the product consultation process. Understanding the structure and operation of the air receiver tank helps customers utilize the equipment more efficiently while ensuring the maintenance of the equipment and system is performed correctly and safely. Now, let’s explore the structure and operation of the compressed air receiver tank with VIVA.

Structure

Depending on the type and manufacturing unit of the compressed air tank, there may be some minor differences between them. However, the basic structure of the devices remains the same, and they consist of the following main components:

• Tank body: The tank body is made of high-pressure-resistant materials, mostly carbon steel, and is coated with epoxy paint to protect the surface and ensure safety. Some tanks are designed to work in corrosive environments and use stainless steel instead. The shape of the compressed air receiver tank is either cylindrical or spherical, aiming to distribute stress.
• Inlet and outlet valves: The compressed air receiver tank has two important valves. The inlet valve is used to fill the tank with compressed air from an external supply, while the outlet valve is used to release the air pressure from the tank when necessary.
• Safety valve: This device is commonly known as a compressed air safety valve, which was mentioned in a previous article. The valve is installed on the body of the compressed air receiver tank and has the function of automatically releasing compressed air into the environment in case the pressure inside the tank becomes too high (the pressure release level can be adjusted).
• Pressure gauge: The tank usually comes with a pressure gauge to monitor the internal pressure. This helps the user know the current pressure level inside the tank.
• Connecting pipes: The compressed air receiver tank has connecting pipes to link the tank with the compressed air system. These pipes allow the compressed air pressure to be delivered from the tank to the devices and machinery that use compressed air.
• Condensate drain valve: Compressed air in the receiver tank is generated by compressing air from the external environment. Therefore, after a certain working period, moisture in the air, under high pressure and density conditions, will condense and form water inside the compressed air receiver tank. At the bottom of the tank, there is a valve for draining the water outside.

In summary, the compressed air receiver tank has a simple structure consisting of a pressure-resistant tank body, inlet and outlet valves, overflow prevention mechanism, pressure gauge, and connecting pipes. This structure allows the compressed air receiver tank to store and supply compressed air when needed.

Operation

The compressed air receiver tank operates according to the following basic steps:

• Compressed air filling: Initially, the compressed air receiver tank is filled with compressed air from an external supply. The compressed air from this source is directed into the tank through the inlet valve. When the inlet valve is open, compressed air flows into the tank, increasing the internal pressure. The inlet valve is then closed once the desired pressure is reached (a commonly seen type of inlet valve is a pressure relay).
• Pressure storage: Once the compressed air receiver tank has been filled, the compressed air is stored within the tank. The pressure-resistant tank body holds the compressed air within its internal space. The stored compressed air in the tank serves as a pressure supply for use by other devices or systems.
• Pressure supply: When compressed air pressure is required, the outlet valve is opened. When the outlet valve is open, compressed air is released from the tank and flows through the connecting pipes, delivering it to devices or machinery that use compressed air. The pressure inside the tank gradually decreases over time as the compressed air is utilized.
• Recharging with compressed air: When the pressure inside the tank decreases to a certain level, the compressed air receiver tank needs to be recharged with compressed air from an external supply. This process continues until the tank reaches the desired operating pressure and is ready to provide compressed air pressure to the system when needed.

Note that controlling and managing the pressure within the compressed air receiver tank is crucial to ensure the safety and efficiency of the compressed air system.

Considerations when choosing a compressed air receiver tank

When selecting a compressed air receiver tank, here are some points to consider:

• Working pressure: Determine the required working pressure for your application. Make sure that the compressed air receiver tank can withstand this pressure and has a safety margin (the pressure limit of the receiver tank should be higher than the regular working pressure of the system).
• Volume: Consider the air flow requirements and operating time. The volume of the compressed air receiver tank should be large enough to provide compressed air for the desired duration, meeting the continuous operation needs of the system.
• Material and quality: Choose the material for constructing the compressed air receiver tank based on the working conditions. Carbon steel is a commonly suitable material in most cases. However, in more severe operating conditions, equipment is often made from stainless steel.
• Size and weight: The size and weight of the compressed air receiver tank are also important factors to consider, especially when installation space is limited. Some receiver tanks are mounted on supports, so the weight of the tank must be within the designed load-bearing capacity.
• Redundancy and expansion capability: In practical terms, it is not possible to anticipate all situations during the system design phase that may arise in real-world applications. Due to various factors, the pressure level may decrease over time, or additional equipment may be added, increasing the actual power consumption. Therefore, it is important to consider these possibilities during equipment selection and choose a tank with a larger capacity to accommodate future development needs.

The above points are some small considerations that we want to share with our customers and readers. We hope they can assist you to some extent in choosing the appropriate compressed air receiver tank.

Applications of compressed air receiver tanks

A compressed air receiver tank is a component of a compressed air system, so any field that utilizes a compressed air system will also involve the application of a compressed air receiver tank.

Some examples of the applications of this device include:

• Industrial compressed air systems: A compressed air receiver tank is an essential part of compressed air systems used in industries such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, electronics, food processing, and oil and gas. It is used to ensure a reliable and continuous supply of compressed air at the appropriate pressure. It is utilized to operate devices such as handheld drills, pneumatic saws, air hoists, and pneumatic drive systems.
• Automation assembly lines: In most manufacturing plants, automated assembly lines are used in various processes such as packaging, compression, pressing, and transportation. Compressed air systems, including compressed air receiver tanks, are widely employed due to their efficiency and safety. They provide a continuous supply of compressed air to the entire system.
• Operation of machinery: In the field of manufacturing technology, various types of machining machines utilize pneumatic control mechanisms. CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, and CNC wire EDM machines are some of the most common examples.

For more product information, please visit electromagnetic pneumatic valves.