Accumulator: the principle of operation. Accumulator: connection diagram

Any modern closed system of water supply must have a hydro accumulator, it is an expansion tank. This drive solves several problems at once, and therefore is necessary for installation of the element. But to properly choose and use this kind of device, you need to familiarize yourself with its features. Let's talk in more detail about what a hydraulic accumulator is. The principle of operation, the device and the scheme of the unit will also be affected.

Some general information

As noted above, the hydraulic accumulator performs three main tasks (with regard to closed systems). The main task of the device is to accumulate a certain volume of fluid (accumulation). From this one can draw a simple conclusion: by accumulating a certain amount of liquid, a battery of this type can reduce the pressure in the system, and if necessary increase it. Well, the last task, solved with the help of a hydraulic battery, is to extinguish hydraulic shocks (damping), which can completely or partially disable the system.

As you can see, this is a responsible and extremely important unit. It is worth noting that there is one undeniable advantage of such a solution. The matter is that for operation of a hydroaccumulator it is not necessary an electricity. As an example, one can mention load-lifting mechanisms, where a hydraulic drive is often used. The essence of its operation is very simple and consists in preventing the cargo from falling off when suddenly de-energized. Sometimes the only solution is a hydraulic accumulator. The principle of the device we will now consider.

How the storage tank works and works

Hydroaccumulators are sometimes called membrane tanks. The fact is that the available capacity is divided by a membrane into two parts. In one half there is water, in the second - an inert gas or simply air. In addition, the body has several holes. One is for feeding, the second is for draining water. A manometer is mandatory, which allows you to constantly monitor the pressure in the system and, if necessary, take action. To adjust the flow and bleed the water were more accurate, set the spool. Since closed systems can not always boast of high quality of media, they mount a filter that allows removing various kinds of pollution. When water is pumped into the system by a pump, it enters one of the chambers of the expansion tank. As a result, the pressure in the second chamber, where the gas is located, increases. When the gauge shows the maximum limit, the pump shuts down.

Principle of operation: Part 2

Water is gradually consumed. Some of it goes down, evaporates a little, etc. As a result of the fact that the amount of carrier gradually decreases, the pressure in the system falls. That's why the needle on the gauge goes down. When the limiting minimum is reached, the automatic control system is activated and the system is filled with the carrier. When the pressure reaches the maximum value, the automatics turn off, and so on in a circle.

The membrane has two openings, one enters the coolant, the other enters. The accumulator, the principle of action of which we have already considered, is often called simply the expansion tank. In fact, this is the same device (only with some differences), performing one set task.

Accumulator: connection diagram using a surface pump

We all know that modern heating and water supply systems can have surface and submersible pumps. First, let's take a step-by-step look at the first case. The first thing to check is the pressure in the tank, which should fluctuate between 0.2 and 1 bar. This value should be slightly less than that indicated on the relay. Next, you need to prepare all the equipment for the connection. You must have a socket for five connectors. A hydraulic accumulator, a manometer, a relay and a pump are connected here. The fifth outlet is used to connect the water pipe. The next step is to connect the choke to the tank, preferably by means of a rigid hose. At the final stage, the relay, a manometer, and a pump pipe are connected in turn.

Important details

After you have completed all of the above steps, you should check the system for leaks. It is recommended to pay most attention to the junction points, as this is where the water most often percolates. Do not forget that the pressure control relay has special marks. Under the cover you will find the contacts "pump" and "network", look carefully and do not mix the wires.

Once again, it is worth noting the importance of sealing the joints. Often, where there is a carving, they detect leaks. Even if you find a breach in the system, you can use industrial sealant, technical flax for a more dense fit. After that, check everything again, the presence of water jams is unacceptable. If necessary, drain the water and do everything again. As you can see, the accumulator, the connection scheme of which has just been considered, is established quite simply. Let's go further.

Connection with submersible pump

The main difference of this type of system is that the pump is in the well, in the well, that is, in the place from where the water comes to the house. Most attention should be paid to installing a non-return valve. It is needed in order to prevent the outflow of water back into the well or well. Almost always it is installed directly on the pump in front of the pipe. To realize this, it is necessary to cut the internal thread on the cover. With this design, the fitting will have an external thread on all sides.

First of all put a check valve, and then connect the accumulator. After everything is done, you need to check the tightness of the system. Do not forget that for normal operation the pump should be 20 centimeters from the bottom. Otherwise, there will be a large number of foreign inclusions, the filter will quickly clog.

Which accumulator should I choose?

After we sorted out a little with the connection diagram, I would like to talk about the choice of specific equipment. The volume of models varies in the range of 20-1000 liters. This is sufficient to ensure the smooth operation of domestic and industrial facilities. Of course, it is necessary to be guided by the amount of water required for maintenance. For example, for a family of 4-5 people, a 100-liter hydro accumulator is suitable. This is enough for the shower, toilet, kitchen and watering the land.

Do not forget that a large expansion tank requires a lot of water in the system. But you do not need to buy a 100 liter accumulator for a family of 2 people. In order not to make an inexpedient acquisition, it is necessary to think everything over carefully. In any case, it is recommended to leave a small margin, for example, 5-10%. If a new person appears in the family, then it will not be necessary to immediately install a more capacious tank. Although you already know how to connect a hydroaccumulator, you can wait a bit. Let's look at some popular manufacturers.

"Gileks" is a domestic accumulator

These expansion tanks are manufactured in Russia and are quite popular due to the reasonable cost of the units. If it is necessary to ensure a constant pressure in the system, the hydraulic accumulators of this manufacturer are best suited.

Their advantage is that the device allows to protect the pump from too frequent inclusions, and this prolongs the resource of the device by 15-20%. It is also worth mentioning that Gileks is a hydraulic accumulator, which significantly reduces the risk of water hammering. If the latter and have a place to be, then the expansion tank almost completely damps the harmful effects. If suddenly switched off the light, the system will leave a reserve of water expansion tank. The device is designed to operate in a temperature range of 10 to 99 degrees Celsius.

"Reflex" is a technique of German quality

It can be said with certainty that in Germany special attention is paid to the accuracy and quality of products. These two parameters are very important. Maintaining accurate pressure in the system and a high-quality hydraulic accumulator is the key to successful water and heat supply. The company for the most part specializes in the production of vertical equipment of various sizes.

It should be noted that the Reflex accumulator is made of high-quality steel. The operating temperature range is somewhat different. You can connect the system at a carrier temperature of -10, and stop working at +70. The advantage of Reflex's products is that the relay for the accumulator has special designations, with which even a beginner can perform the connection without any problems.

Conclusion

We talked about what a hydraulic accumulator is. The principle of operation and the purpose of the device we have also considered, therefore, questions should not remain. As you probably noticed, the connection for any kind of pump is not difficult, because there is nothing complicated. Do not buy products made in China. In addition to the fact that such expansion tanks are not useful, they will not protect your system in a reliable way. Since the hydraulic accumulator circuit has already been considered, you must understand that the correct installation and tightness of the system play a decisive role. By the way, if the relay does not have the necessary marks, then do not connect the wires at random, better call a specialist. Believe, the master will manage much more cheaply, rather than repair of an expansion tank.