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Tank Sizing

This document provides instructions for sizing a pressure tank based on pump output, desired run time, and pressure switch settings. It explains that properly sizing the tank is necessary to prevent rapid cycling of the pump motor. The key factors needed are the pump's horsepower, gallons per minute output, and the pressure switch cut-in and cut-out pressures. Using these values and acceptance factor charts, the calculation determines the total volume of the tank required to store enough water for the desired run time between pump cycles. For example, a 1HP pump running at 15 GPM would need a tank with a 111 gallon volume to operate for 2 minutes between cycles with a 40PSI cut-in and 60PSI cut-

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sameh
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343 views

Tank Sizing

This document provides instructions for sizing a pressure tank based on pump output, desired run time, and pressure switch settings. It explains that properly sizing the tank is necessary to prevent rapid cycling of the pump motor. The key factors needed are the pump's horsepower, gallons per minute output, and the pressure switch cut-in and cut-out pressures. Using these values and acceptance factor charts, the calculation determines the total volume of the tank required to store enough water for the desired run time between pump cycles. For example, a 1HP pump running at 15 GPM would need a tank with a 111 gallon volume to operate for 2 minutes between cycles with a 40PSI cut-in and 60PSI cut-

Uploaded by

sameh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Size a Pressure Tank

Page 1 of 2

CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-767-8731

E-mail: [email protected]
Secure Checkout Online or Call to Order

How to Size a Pressure Tank


Not interested in doing all the math below? Enter your values here to calculate.
Enter your pump output, desired runtime, and pressure switch settings to find the proper size tank.
Pump Output in GPM

16 GPM

Desired Runtime *

1 Minute

Pressure Switch Cut In PSI

20 PSI

Pressure Switch Cut Out PSI

30 PSI

* Recommended Minimum Runtime:


Up to 3/4 HP - 1 Minute
1 to 2 HP - 2 Minutes
2 HP and up - 3 Minutes

Calculate Pressure Tank Size

You will need a pressure tank with a Total Volume of at least 73 Gallons.

Since it's inception in 1964, the pre-pressurized potable water tank has assumed various designs and has proven useful in a wide
variety of open-system applications. Originally used in well installations, this technology gained widespread acceptance and was soon
applied in a variety of applications requiring pressurized water storage. With this flexibility, however, can come confusion as to
installation scenarios and related sizing. Below, we'll take a look at proper use and related sizing techniques in such applications as
pump cycle control, volume maintenance, and water treatment systems.
Common to the below examples is the fact that it is necessary to determine both the amount of tank storage needed and the
pressures necessary to obtain that storage. Simply stated: All sizings use the same principle with different values. Referred to as
Boyle's Law of Ideal Gases, this principle will be used to determine how much water is stored in tank at a given pressure. This
multiplier will be referred to as the Acceptance Factor. Keep this equation in mind as a foundation to size any pre-pressurized tank:

Pump Systems
It is common knowledge in the water systems industry that cycling a pump motor rapidly will often lead to failure. To prevent this,
most pump manufacturers normally recommend a minimum pump runtime of 2 minutes. In order to achieve the runtime, the prepressurized tank must store a given volume of water between pump cycles. Doing so requires the pump to run for a specific period to
fill the tank. In general, larger pumps require longer intervals between start cycles. When sizing a pre-pressurized tank for the above
purpose, the following information should be known: Pump horsepower, pump output in gallons per minute (GPM), and pressure
switch setting in psi (cut-in & cut-out). The below procedure will guide you through a sizing scenario using a 1hp pump. The pump will
be operating at 15 GPM with a pressure switch setting of 40psi cut-in and 60psi cut-out. The Acceptance Factors have already been
calculated in the chart provided. The figures are based on a tank precharge (initial air charge) set 2psi below pump cut-in pressure.

http://www.aquascience.net/tanksizing.cfm

12/14/2013

How to Size a Pressure Tank

Page 2 of 2

According to the "Recommended Minimum Runtime" notation, a 1hp pump should operate for a period of at least 2 minutes between
motor starts. In order to run a 15GPM pump for 2 minutes, 30 gallons of storage is necessary. The Acceptance Factor indicates that
27% of a given tank's volume will be usable water between 40 and 60psi. Dividing 30 by an acceptance factor of .27 results in a tank
with a volume of 111 gallons.

Amtrol Well-X-Trol Pressure Tanks


A.O. Smith Pressure Tanks
WellMate Fiberglass Pressure Tanks
Flexcon Fiberglass Pressure Tanks

Aqua Science is committed to providing the highest quality water filtration and well system supplies at the lowest prices.
To Speak With a Systems Engineer, Please Call 1-800-767-8731 (Monday-Friday 7am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm EST)
Visit us at: 301 Nooseneck Hill Rd, Wyoming, Rhode Island 02898

http://www.aquascience.net/tanksizing.cfm

12/14/2013

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