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Pressure tank sizing

Enter pump flow and cut-in and cut-out pressures to get the tank volume that limits motor starts and the right air precharge.

Pre-sizing and estimating tool: results do not replace design, calculations or reports signed by a licensed professional, nor verification against the applicable codes and standards.

Pre-sizing
Pump and pressures

With several pumps in cascade, use the largest pump flow and one pump at a time.

—Total hydropneumatic tank volume
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Starts per hour versus demand

With the chosen standard tank; the maximum occurs when demand is half of pump flow.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Tank volume versus pressure band

For the same cut-in pressure, widening the band to cut-out reduces the tank.

Tap the chart to see the values.

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Method, assumptions and references

Equations used

Drawdown: Vd = Q · Tc ÷ 4, with Tc = 3600 ÷ starts per hour (worst case: demand = Q ÷ 2)
Total volume (Boyle, absolute pressures): Vt = Vd ÷ [p_pre · (1 ÷ p_on − 1 ÷ p_off)]
Starts per hour at demand q: Z = 3600 ÷ [Vd ÷ q + Vd ÷ (Q − q)]

Assumptions and limits

  • Diaphragm or bladder tank with gas separated from water, isothermal compression.
  • Start limits by power are typical guidance; the motor or pump manual prevails.
  • With a variable frequency drive, the tank can be much smaller: it only buffers and covers very low demand.

Standards and technical documents

  • EN 13831:2007: Closed expansion vessels with built-in diaphragm for installation in water
  • Hydraulic Institute: Pump Standards; manuais de fabricantes de bombas e tanques
  • ABNT NBR 5626:2020: sistemas prediais de água fria e água quente

U.S. regulations

  • ASME BPVC Section VIII where the vessel is not exempt; state boiler and pressure vessel rules
  • NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: drinking water system components

Frequently asked questions

How do I size a pressure tank?

Compute drawdown (pump flow times minimum cycle time, divided by 4) and divide by the acceptance factor from Boyle’s law using absolute precharge, cut-in and cut-out pressures.

What precharge should I use?

About 2 psi (0.2 bar) below pump cut-in, measured with the tank empty of water. Low precharge wastes volume; too high and the pump starts without the tank helping.

Why does my pump short cycle?

A small tank, wrong precharge or a ruptured diaphragm reduces drawdown, and the pump cycles more than the motor can take.