Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
(OP)
I have a bladder-type expansion tank that sits on the floor in a chilled water system. It is becoming undersized as the plant is expanding and needs to be up-sized. I am fortunate enough to have a ball valve in the expansion tank line for easy isolation.
If I have the system up and running at temperature, can I shut the expansion tank line valve and change the tank while the system is on? Since I will remain at temperature through the exchange, I don't see an expansion issue. Am I missing something hydronically?
Thanks, Steve
If I have the system up and running at temperature, can I shut the expansion tank line valve and change the tank while the system is on? Since I will remain at temperature through the exchange, I don't see an expansion issue. Am I missing something hydronically?
Thanks, Steve





RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
Drapes
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
Roy Gariepy
Maintenance and Reliability Dept.
Dorlastan Fibers LLC.
Goose Creek, South Carolina USA
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
You should consider all contingencies and rank them on severity and probability. Then each mitigating steps to manage those risks should be defined. If your customer is willing to take the listed risks, then it is OK. I don't believe that there is a clear answer to your question.
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
If it is one of the above, you should be able to isolate the vessel and see if changes can be made.
Has the bladder accumulator been recently serviced, you may be able to change the bladder pressure to allow for expansion.
PS I do not know much about chilled water systems so I may be talking cr*p. If this is the case I apologise.
RE: Expansion Tanks - Chilled Water
Just make sure it is online, and doesn't relieve into the production managers office ( I actually saw that once).
Most plastic shops use ethlyene glycol, so keep that in mind.
We build a lot of chillers for plastics, but we use open tanks and don't have to mess with the expansion tanks much.
Good Luck!
Clyde