101 on Expansion Vessels (Includes Calculation Example)

In the realm of heating and cooling systems, the importance of understanding expansion vessels can’t be overstated.

These vital components, also known as expansion tanks, are pivotal in maintaining system safety and operational efficiency.

They counterbalance changes in fluid volume, and consequently pressure fluctuations, which occur due to variations in temperature.

What is an Expansion Vessel?

An expansion vessel, or expansion tank, is a device in a heating or cooling system that accommodates the extra volume of water produced when the system water is heated or cooled.

As the water heats up, it expands, and without a place to go, this increase in volume can cause a dramatic rise in pressure.

The expansion vessel provides the necessary ‘give’ in the system to handle this extra volume, preventing potential over-pressurisation damage.

Location of Expansion Vessels

Expansion vessels are required in systems where a closed circuit is subjected to a fluctuation in temperature e.g. heating and cooling systems.

Ideally, they should be placed in a cooler section of the system, for instance, the return pipe close to the boiler or chiller.

This location ensures the expansion vessel can compensate for the vacuum formed when the water cools and contracts.

Moreover, to avoid the issue of pump cavitation, installing the vessel on the suction side of the recirculation pump is recommended.

Without a correctly sized expansion vessel, the system is exposed to potential risks.

The Consequences of Incorrect Calculating or Positioning

Improper calculation or positioning of an expansion vessel can lead to a range of problems:

– Undersized: this may result in excessive system pressure, potentially leading to system component failure.

– Oversized vessel: this can cause inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.

– Incorrect positioning: this can disrupt the vessel’s primary function of accommodating fluid volume changes, potentially leading to dangerous pressure build-ups or operational inefficiencies.

Factors that Influence the Sizing

System Volume

This is the volume of water in the system’s components e.g. the pipes, tanks, and emitters.

The volume will differ on every project due to the various system layouts and associated range of sizes.

Initial System Pressure

The initial system pressure is the incoming water pressure.

This data can usually be found within the system’s design specifications. In cases where it’s not readily available, a pressure gauge might be needed to measure this pressure.

1 bar (100 kPa / 14.5 psi) is commonly used for this

Maximum Allowable Pressure

The maximum allowable pressure is the peak pressure that a system can safely tolerate without causing damage to its components or risking a system failure.

This value is usually defined by the weakest component of the system e.g. the boiler or heat exchanger.

3 bar (300 kPa / 43.5 psi) is commonly used for this (recommended by CIBSE) but the manufacturer’s documentation is typically the best source for this information.

Initial System Temperature

The initial system temperature is the temperature of the incoming water before it is heated.

This number will vary based on your geographical location and the associated climate but will likely be around 5°C (41°F) in the winter months.

Maximum System Temperature

The maximum system temperature is the maximum operating temperature of the system.

90°C (194°F) is commonly used but the manufacturer’s documentation is typically the best source for this information.

Expansion Vessels Sizing: A Walkthrough

Having understood the crucial parameters, we now venture into the specifics of calculating the size of an expansion vessel.

Step 1 – Calculating the volume of the expanded fluid:

This is achieved using the formula:

Where:

X: the volume of the expanded fluid (L).

V: the system volume (L).

C: the volumetric expansion coefficient of the fluid (0.000214).

T_max: the maximum temperature (°C).

T_initial: initial temperature (°C).

Step 2 – Determining the volume of the expansion vessel:

Following the calculation of the expanded fluid volume, the expansion vessel’s volume can be computed using:

Where:

Vessel: the required expansion vessel volume (L).

P_max: the maximum allowable system pressure (bar).

P_initial: the initial system pressure (bar).

A Hypothetical Calculation: A Practical Demonstration

Consider a system with a water volume of 500L, an initial temperature (T_initial) of 10°C, and a maximum operating temperature (T_max) of 80°C.

The initial system pressure (P_initial) is set at 1.2 bar, with a maximum allowable system pressure (P_max) of 3 bar.

Step 1 – Calculate the volume of expanded water:

Inserting these values into the formula, we have:

X = 500L * (1 + (80 – 10) * 0.000214)

X = 500L * (1 + 70 * 0.000214)

Calculations

X = 500L * 1.01284

X = 507.42L

Step 2 – Determine the volume of the expansion vessel:

Now, we can use this expanded water volume to calculate the required volume of the expansion vessel:

Vessel ≈ 507.42 L / (1 + (1.2 bar / (3 bar – 1.2 bar)))

Vessel ≈ 507.42 L / (1 + (1.2 bar / 1.8 bar))

Calculations

Vessel ≈ 507.42 L / (1 + 0.6667)

Vessel ≈ 507.42 L / 1.6667

Calculations

Vessel ≈ 304.14 L

Thus, for this hypothetical situation, an expansion vessel of approximately 305L would be required.

Conclusion

The critical process of accurately calculating and correctly positioning an expansion vessel is crucial in designing and operating heating and cooling systems.

Without this, the system may be subject to risks ranging from inefficiencies to component damage and failure.

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