Improved Modeling of

Hydropneumatic Tanks
Thomas Walski
Bentley Systems
Haestad Solutions Center

What are Hydropneumatic Tanks

Pressurized tank
Air/water mix
Store energy as compressed air
Gas vessel/bladder tanks/surge tank

Hydropneumatic Tank

www.wendlandmfg.com
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How are Hydropneumatic

Tanks Used?
Options

Constant speed pump

Variable speed pump
Elevated tanks + pump
Hydropneumatic tank + pump

Small systems
Wide range of flows
Large energy savings possible

Hydropneumatic Operations

Pump to tank compresses air/stores water

Pump kicks off at high pressure
Compressed air serves system
At low pressure pump kicks on

Effective
Volume

Tank Dimensions

Modeling Hydropneumatic
Tanks

Steady model
Fixed HGL
Fixed outflow

EPS model
Constant area tank
Gas Law

Effective Area
H2 = z + 2.31 P2

A = Veff / (H2 H1)

H2
V

H1

H1 = z + 2.31 P1

Pressure Switch Elev. - z

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Gas Law
Ideal Gas Law

pV(gas) = nRT = Constant =K

Boyles Law
V(gas) = K/(P+Patm)
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Gas Law vs. Effective Area

Hoff
Effective
Volume
Hon
Hmin
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Smith, R.S., Simulation of Hydropneumatic Tanks in computer Pipe Network Models,

J Hyd Eng, 131-10, 909-911.
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Constant Area Simulation

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Gas Law

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Pressure vs. Volume Relationship

Equivalent tank
P=aV+b
a =(P1-P2)/(V1-V2)
Gas law
P = (Pa+Pi)((Vt-Vi)/(Vt-V))-Pa
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1000 gal - Op 200 to 600 gal

200

Pressure, psi

160

Gas Law
Equivalent

120

Effective
Volume

80

Pressure
Range

40

0
0

200

400

600
Vol, gal

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800

1000

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$6/day vs. $0.80/day

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Modeling Tips
Need small time steps
If hydro tank part of large system, model as a
demand
If hydro tank subsystem is being studied, set
up separate model

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Summary

2 ways to model hydro tanks

Equivalent tank
Gas law

Results similar especially at low range

between on/off pressure
Hydro tanks save energy

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