Chilled Water Buffer Tanks

Storage tanks are often used when the total loop volume of the
distribution network is less than the minimum requirements of the chiller
manufacturer. Storage tanks increase the effective volume of the
system.

When the cooling systems piping capacity is under sized, compressors

will short cycle and temperature control is harder to maintain. Chiller
manufacturers recommend between 3 to 12 gallons per ton in the piping
system. Tanks should be baffled to ensure there is no stratification and
that fluid entering the tank is adequately mixed.

To properly size the buffer tank,

calculate the systems total capacity
including all piping and terminal equipment. Subtract that number from
the chiller manufacturers recommended system capacity. For example,
if a 300 ton chiller requires 900 gallons of system capacity and the total
piping system totals only 500 gallons, then a 400 gallon buffer tank
would be required.

Niles Steel Tank is a Bradford White subsidiary and their buffer tanks
are designed for use with commercial and process chilled water
systems which may have insufficient water volume to maintain optimum
operating temperature control. Niles offers gallon capacities of 130,
210, 300, 400, 528, 850, 1040, as well as custom. Tanks are
constructed under the A.S.M.E., Section VIII, Division I code. Vertical
and horizontal tank designs are available with center baffle plate.
Optional closed cell spray foam insulation has an R16 insulation rating.
 Minimum Loop Volume Requirements by Chiller Model
Manufacturer & Model Cooling Capacity Comfort Cooling Low Ambient (<32F)
(tons) Minimum System or Process Cooling
Volume (gal/ton) Applications (gal/ton)
Multiaqua MAC 3 8.3 8.3
Multiaqua MAC 4 6.3 6.3
Multiaqua MAC 5 10 5 5
Carrier 30RAP 10 15 12 12
Carrier 30RAP 18 30 6 10
Carrier 30RAP 35 40 4 8
Carrier 30RAP 45 55 3 6
Carrier 30RAP w/ 10 60 3 3
Digital Scroll
Carrier 30MP 15 30 3 6 10
Carrier 30MP 40 45 2.1 6 10
Carrier 30HX 70 265 3 6 10
Carrier 30RB 60 390 3 6 10
Carrier 30XW 150 400 3 6 10
Carrier 30XA 80 500 3 6 10
Carrier 23XRV 300 550 3 6 10
Carrier 19XR 200 1500 3 6 10

Temperature Equipment Corporation

17725 Volbrecht Rd. Lansing, IL 60438
708.418.0900 www.tecmungo.com