Sizing a compressed air system Buffer Vessel

[remp]

Hi

I am installing a compressed air system that is made up of 4 air compressors approx 1400l/s in total.
What size buffer vessel should I install down stream of the compressor on the main line. Is there any rule of thumb.?

 

[KiwiMace]

Some say, four gallons per compressor horsepower.

Try looking for a little program called AirSim by the University of Dayton, as you go into detail design, this will hone the sizing in.

 

[ornerynorsk]

Do your existing compressors have any tank storage currently?

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.

 

[pipesnpumps]

Rules of thumb are only useful for typical and predictable situations.. The real answer depends on WAY more than the information in your question. Are you using compressors with turndown capability, are they recip or rotary (I don't have a feel for liters). What is the peak instantaneous demand of air, for what duration so you can size tank for the worst case drawdown. Etc etc

Real world knowledge doesn't fall out of the sky on a parachute, but rather is gained in small increments during moments of panic or curiosity.

 

[remp]

4 air compressors, 300l/s, 300l/s, 700l/s (on a VSD) & 1100L/s

The load is fairly consistant at 800L/s but can go to 1200L/s over the spate of an hour only or down to 500l/s over an hour also.

We have an existing buffer vessel that is about 4m3. Do you think this is enough?

 

[KiwiMace]

Try this procedure - there is a formula and some rough sizing guidelines.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/compressed-air-receivers-d_846.html

Are you talking actual or standard l/s? and at what pressure? What is your pressure tolerance?

 

[Drazen]

for some average conditions i used 2-minute buffer as a rule of thumb, recommended by some manufacturers, so it means your vessel should be more than enough for all but some very unusual load patterns.