How to Size an Air Receiver Tank

Air receiver tanks are a vital part of all compressed air systems. They help balance the supply of air from the compressor with the demand from the system by acting as a reservoir during peak times. Additionally, they can remove water from the compressed air system and minimize system pulsations. 

Achieving the maximum benefits from an air receiver tank necessitates choosing one that is properly sized for the compressed air system. In most cases, a receiver tank is sized at 2 gal/scfm. However, if big surges in demand are expected, the size is increased to between 4 and 10 gal/scfm. The following article goes into further detail about what an air receiver tank is, why it is important, and how to properly size one for a compressed air system. 

What Are Air Receiver Tanks?

Air receiver tanks—also referred to as compressed air tanks—are engineered to temporarily store compressed air before it enters equipment or a piping system. They help connected compressed air systems operate efficiently during operations by acting as a buffer between the compressor and fluctuating buffer. Additionally, they can be used to supply additional air to the system to accommodate surges in demand and/or run the system even when the compressor is not running.  

Compressed air systems use two types of air receiver tanks: primary and secondary. Primary tanks are located close to the air compressor system and act as air storage devices. Secondary tanks are located further from the compressor system while still being accessible to any device that requires air. 

Why Are Receiver Tanks Important in Compressed Air Systems?

While it is technically possible for a compressed air system to function without a receiver tank, there are several reasons why they are a vital component of highly effective systems. First, they serve as reservoirs that supplement compressed air supply during peak demand. Second, they remove water that might be present in a compressor system by cooling the air. Third, they decrease the amount of pulsations experienced by the system.

Some of the key factors to consider when choosing a receiver tank for a compressed air system are: 

• • Size. An air receiver tank should be sized between 6–10 times the flow rate of the system. For example, compressors with a rating of 25 scfm at 100 psi should have a tank that is size at a minimum of 150 cubic feet. 
  • Working pressure. Air receiver tanks must be fitted with a pressure relief valve and pressure gauge. The former should be set to 10% above the working pressure of the compressed air system.   

• Drainage/drying elements. A drain enables the receiver tank to expel water from the system. It can be manual or automatic. The inclusion of an air dryer and coalescing filter can further help improve the dryness of the compressed air. 

How to Properly Size an Air Receiver Tank

Air receiver tanks are sized in terms of volume (measured in gallons). They are available in sizes ranging from 5-gallon capacities to several thousand gallon capacities. It is important to choose the size based on the needs of the application. Key considerations to keep in mind include: 

• Capacity: How much air can the air receiver store? It should be greater than the amount of air required for the application. 
• Pressure: What compressor discharge pressure is required? What end-use pressure is required? The greater the difference between the two values, the smaller the receiver needed.
• Time: How much time (in minutes) does the tank take to supply the amount of air required without a significant drop in pressure? 
• Air requirement: How much air does the end-user require to operate at optimal capacity?

In addition to these factors, sizing a receiver tank can vary depending on the compressor design. 

Sizing a Receiver Tank for Reciprocating Air Compressors

Reciprocating air compressors rely on a receiver tank to store compressed air and eliminate pulsation before it is used for operations. When the tank is filled with enough compressed air, the connected device can be operated. Using the device drains the tank, so users will need to wait for it to fill back up if it is emptied before the device can be used again. Correctly sizing the air receiver tank to the compressor helps minimize interruptions by eliminating the risk of it emptying before the task is done. 

Sizing an Air Receiver Tank for Stationary Air Compressors

Custom stationary air compressors utilize air receiver tanks that are more complex to size correctly. As a result, sizing should generally be performed by a qualified engineer. Factors influencing tank sizing include volume and pressure variations in demand, air compressor size, pipe/hose size and length, and control system. 

Contact the Experts at Compressed Air Systems for Tank Sizing Help Today

Need help determining the right air receiver tank size for your system? Ask the experts at Compressed Air Systems! We offer high-quality air receiver tanks for various compressed air system needs. Our engineers can help you evaluate your system requirements and restrictions to identify the best tank solution.

A Definitive Guide to Sizing Your Air Receiver Tank

What Is an Air Receiver Tank?

Compressed air systems rely on air receiver tanks to cool air and remove water from the system. Air receiver tanks also function as temporary reservoirs during peak demand. While an air compressor does not need an air receiver tank to run properly, having one helps it run more efficiently.

Many factors govern air receiver tank consideration, including air tank capacity and air receiver tank size. Most importantly, you should consider your chosen air tank compressor’s ability to successfully integrate with your existing systems. We summarize below the four main factors to be considered during air receiver tank selection.

Minimizing Pressure Changes

Air receiver tanks should accommodate expected excess air volumes while allowing for pressure changes. Effective air receiver tanks reduce pressure variations to improve the production process. To help monitor and regulate pressure, the federal government requires receiver tanks to include pressure gauges and relief valves.

Meeting Air Demands

Most systems’ compressed air requirements fluctuate constantly, and the size of the air receiver tank should reflect these changes in demand. An incorrectly sized tank could lead to improper changes in pressure levels, causing pressure buildup or system failure. The air receiver tank should act as an emergency compressed air reservoir when the system experiences a demand spike beyond its main compressor’s capacity. An improperly sized tank may lead to a shortage in the system.

Energy Saving

Properly sized air receiver tank also save energy due to increased air processing efficiency. Compressors with air tanks lose less excess air to their surroundings, meaning they are able to operate on larger volumes of air at a time. Optimized efficiency also bolsters the system’s lifespan.

Safety Factors

Improperly configured air receiver tanks could pose significant risks to your employees. Inspectors should take proper care to ensure that the working pressure of the receiver never exceeds the allowable limit. Your air compressor system must undergo routine maintenance and inspections by qualified technicians. Crucially, inspectors must regularly drain the receiver, either manually or with an automatic drain system, to reduce potential unwanted pressure buildup.

Calculating Air Receiver Tank Size

Determining the best size for your system’s air receiver tank relies on many factors, including the potential for volume and pressure fluctuations, size and capacity of the compressor, expected temperatures, and the overall system. System demand and utilization factors determine maximum usage, and compressed air receiver tank sizes vary to accommodate the needs of a system. It is important to understand exactly what size compressor will work best with your system if you want to optimize the system and ensure that safety concerns are addressed.