Version 1.

This spreadsheet was created based upon Taylor paper:

http://www.taylor-engineering.com/Websites/taylorengineering/articles/ASHRAE_Journal_-_Understandi

Use at your own risk!

AE_Journal_-_Understanding_Expansion_Tanks_-_Taylor.pdf
 LEGEND
INPUT
RESULT

PART 1: PIPING VOLUME

Use Steel
above: 2 1/2
PIPE INNER DIAMETERS
I.D. " Unit Total
Length Size Type L STD WT Volume Volume
(ft.) COPPER STEEL (gals/ft) (gals)
1/2 0.55 0.622 0.0121 0.0
3/4 0.79 0.824 0.0252 0.0
1 1.03 1.049 0.0429 0.0
1 1/4 1.27 1.38 0.0653 0.0
1 1/2 1.51 1.61 0.0925 0.0
2 1.99 2.067 0.1609 0.0
2 1/2 2.47 2.469 0.2489 0.0
3 2.945 3.068 0.3843 0.0
4 3.905 4.026 0.6617 0.0
5 4.875 5.047 1.0399 0.0
6 5.845 6.065 1.5017 0.0
8 7.725 7.981 2.6004 0.0
10 9.625 10.02 4.0988 0.0
12 11.565 12 5.8787 0.0
14 13.25 7.1673 0.0
16 15.25 9.4942 0.0
18 17.25 12.1478 0.0
20 19.25 15.1280 0.0
24 23.25 22.0682 0.0
26 25.25 26.0282 0.0
30 29.25 34.9279 0.0
SubTotal 0.0

Overwrite piping volume from Rev

 PART 2: COIL VOLUME PART 3: EQUIPMENT VOLUME

Coil Total Water

AHU/FC Volume Volume Equip- Volume
Tag (gal) Quantity (gals) ment Tag (gal) Quantity
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

ping volume from Revit/CAD model here if available

ENT VOLUME

Total
Volume
(gals)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0 Total 0.0
Insert rows for each potentially critical piece of equipment.

Elevation below
the top of the
system (ft).
Should be
Pressure rating (PSI) positive number Difference (PSI)
Boiler 90 90
Air Separator 150 150
Control valve 300 300
Pump 250 250
Other 300 300
Other 300 300
Other 300 300

MINIMUM 90

The CPP is the location on discharge side of the pump of the highlighted equipment above
ted equipment above
 LEGEND
INPUT
RESULT

NOTES
System Type HW Sets default values for minimum

Determine Initial Pressure (aka Precharge PressureUNITS

Find pressure required to prevent boiling
1. Pmin = 4.0 PSIG Pink dashed line of Pmin on cha
2. Ps, LPP -> Tank = 13.0 ft Elevation difference between th
5.6 PSIG
3. Pf, LPP -> Tank = 0.0 ft Frictional pressure drop from the
0.0 PSIG

Pi, boiling = 9.6 PSIG

Find pressure required to maintain pump NPSH This step can be skipped f
1. NPSHr = ft From pump manufacturer data
0.0 PSIG
2. Pv = -7.1 PSIG The gauge saturation vapor pres
3. Ps, Tank -> Suction = 0.0 ft Elevation difference from the ta
0.0 PSIG
4. Pf, Tank -> Suction = 0.0 ft Frictional pressure drop from the
0.0 PSIG
5. PV, Tank -> Suction = 0.0 ft Difference in velocity pressure a
0.0 PSIG

Pi, pump = -7.1 PSIG This is almost always less than P

Pi = 12.0 PSIG This is the required initial pressu

default precharge from the facto
Determine Maximum Pressure
1. Pma = 90.0 PSIG Pressure rating of the equipmen
2. Ps, CPP -> PRV = 0.0 ft Elevation difference from the CP
0.0 PSIG
3. Pf, CPP -> PRV = 0.0 ft Frictional pressure drop from CP
0.0 PSIG

Safety factor 10% percent This is a safety factor to avoid n

Prv = 80.0 PSIG This is the Pressure Relief Valve
 4. Ps, PRV -> Tank = -1.0 ft Elevation difference from the PR
-0.4 PSIG

5. Pf, PRV -> Tank = 0.0 ft Frictional pressure drop from the
0.0 PSIG

Pmax = 80.0 PSIG This is the tank maximum press

Tank Selection (assuming pre-charged tank)

VS = 0 Gal. System volume from "System Vo

Th= 180 degF Maximum water temperature of
Tc= 60 degF Minimum water temperature of

h= 0.01650 ft3/lbm Specific volume of water at its m

c= 0.01604 ft /lbm
3
Specific volume of water at its m

Ve = 0.0 Gal. Increase in water volume from m

Vt = 0.0 Gal. Total tank volume, equal to the

Selection (manufacturer/model):
Notes
s default values for minimum and maximum water temperature in rows 55 and 56. Override these if necessary

k dashed line of Pmin on chart --> is curve fitted here

vation difference between the LPP (low pressure point) and the tank. The LPP will almost always be the highest

tional pressure drop from the tank to the LPP. Ignored if the tank is downstream of LPP.

is step can be skipped for all but high temperature (>~210degF) hot water systems and sy
m pump manufacturer data

e gauge saturation vapor pressure of the fluid at its maximum expected temperature. Blue line on chart --> is cu
vation difference from the tank to the pump suction.

tional pressure drop from the tank to the pump suction

erence in velocity pressure at the point of tank connection to the point of suction at the pump. Typically neglig

s is almost always less than Pi, boiling. If you calculated it, you probably didn't have to (see row 18).

s is the required initial pressure of the tank (aka the Precharge Pressure). It's equal to the larger of Pi, boiling, Pi
ault precharge from the factory so it is the minimum for convenience.

ssure rating of the equipment at the Critical Pressure Point (CPP) aka the "weakest link". See CPP tab.
vation difference from the CPP to the PRV. Positive if CPP is above PRV (Pressure Relief Valve).

tional pressure drop from CPP to PRV. Ignored if PRV is upstream of CPP.

s is a safety factor to avoid nuisance relief valve trips.

s is the Pressure Relief Valve Setpoint, rounded to the nearest 5 psi. Note this on drawings.
vation difference from the PRV to the tank. Positive if PRV is above tank.

tional pressure drop from the PRV to the tank. Ignored if tank is upstream of PRV.

s is the tank maximum pressure rounded to the nearest 5 psi

tem volume from "System Volume" tab

ximum water temperature of the system. Set by the "System Type" above. Override as necessary.
imum water temperature of the system. Set by the "System Type" above. Override as necessary.

ecific volume of water at its maximum temperature

ecific volume of water at its minimum temperature

rease in water volume from min. temperature to max. temperature. Tank "Acceptance Volume" must be to thi

al tank volume, equal to the volume of water expansion plus the air cushion necessary to maintain pressure bet
rride these if necessary for your specific system.

t always be the highest point of the return line just after it drops down to the pump.

ater systems and systems where ET and pump suction are very far apart (e.g. campus)

ue line on chart --> is curve-fitted here

e pump. Typically negligible

(see row 18).

he larger of Pi, boiling, Pi, pump and 12 PSI. 12 PSI is the

. See CPP tab.

necessary.
necessary.

olume" must be to this value. Not an issue for "Full Acceptance" tanks.

to maintain pressure between Pi and Pmax. "Tank Volume" must be to this value.
e.g. campus)