Air receivers serve as batteries for your compressed air system, providing short-term peak demand storage capacity that cannot be met by your compressor alone. They also help stabilise compact air pressure fluctuations, which helps increase system efficiency overall.
Sizing an air receiver tank accurately can be challenging due to all the variables that must be considered, so we suggest consulting with a system engineer.
Cost
Air Receivers (or “receivers”) are compressed air storage tanks that balance supply with demand in compressor systems. An air receiver typically reduces any potential pulsations within the system and should generally be 6-10 times greater in flow rate than its associated compressor system.
Air receivers are an affordable investment for companies using air tools or equipment requiring compressed air, since compressed air only needs to be stored for short durations in an air receiver rather than running a large compressor continuously to meet these demands.
Making the correct selection when it comes to air receiver sizes can be challenging. However, as a general guideline, two times your compressor’s rated SCFM for variable drive systems or three times for fixed-speed compressors is ideal when choosing an appropriate air receiver size.
Quality air receivers are made of steel and feature either a galvanised finish or epoxy coating to reduce corrosion, but for specialty applications, stainless steel receivers may be more appropriate and durable than their standard counterparts; additionally, they come equipped with safety features like pressure gauge snubbers which help safeguard against sudden pressure spikes.
Durability
Air receiver tanks serve as storage for compressed air to meet sudden surges in system demand and smooth out dynamic pressure swings within compressor equipment. Furthermore, this tank helps decrease mechanical wear by reducing the frequency of compressor cycling – not only can these be constructed of painted steel, galvanised steel or stainless steel but they can be mounted anywhere around your premises!
Some air receivers can be integrated directly into a compressor unit, making them smaller and saving space in plants or factories. These integrated receivers usually feature a platform on which air compressors’ motor and pump can be mounted directly above their point of use – these duplex units.
Most air receivers feature bare steel interiors coated outside to reduce corrosion, with exterior coatings colour-matched to air compressor equipment (blue for compressed air, green for nitrogen, and white for oxygen). Bare steel receivers may work for most applications, but moisture build-up may lead to corrosion or blockages downstream of filters and lines.
Companies often opt for specially coated, galvanised or stainless steel tank interiors with special coatings to improve corrosion resistance. At the same time, some can even be passivated to stop corrosion-causing particulates from entering their air supply and causing particulate build-up. Such tanks are commonly found in hospitals, labs and food manufacturers that need high-purity air supply systems; typically, these options are more expensive.
Safety
Air receiver tanks are pressure vessels used to store compressed air under intense internal pressure over an extended period, such that if they fail, the resultant explosion could be disastrous for your facility and seriously harm or kill employees nearby. Failure is typically the result of poor maintenance, improper storage or operation at unsafe pressures. To reduce this risk, ensure your receiver tanks feature an indicating pressure gauge with a safety relief valve set to the maximum allowable working pressure and routinely drain them to reduce moisture accumulation.
Regular inspections are vital in both protecting the safety of workers and prolonging the lifespan of an air receiver tank. Air receiver tanks should not be located near equipment, materials or products that could emit heat that could damage their vessel from the heat radiating off them; additionally, it’s best to store your appliances indoors if possible to reduce exposure to freezing temperatures.
If your compressor system doesn’t include an integrated dryer, daily draining of the air receiver tank to clear away condensation and moisture is recommended to maintain air purity levels. Consider installing an automatic drain for added convenience: this device opens at regular intervals to release any liquid accumulated within your tank and drain out through an automated opening mechanism. Stainless steel air receiver tanks offer superior durability and corrosion-resistance, perfect for hospitals or laboratories requiring higher purity levels.
Energy
Air receiver tanks exist to be helpful large pressure vessels to store compressed air under immense pressure, making them a potential safety risk if left without regular inspection for signs of corrosion and weld failure. Furthermore, their consumption causes significant energy loss due their cyclical nature.
An air receiver tank that fits your energy consumption requirements will reduce wasted energy, save operating costs, lowering cycle counts and wear and tear on components, and decrease cycle counts overall. There are various online tools to assist with this sizing price, but the best way to guarantee you have an ideal tank would be to speak to one of our system engineers directly.
An air receiver tank acts as the battery for your air system by storing energy created at your compressor and even out peaks in air consumption, allowing the compressor to run at lowe-rated pressures – saving hundreds or even thousands in energy costs annually.
Air receiver tanks are offered outdoors to reduce costs associated with using space inside facilities for storage. This makes them an efficient and cost-effective solution for systems requiring large amounts of air for short durations, like wineries.