A surge tank prevents pressure changes in pressurized systems, avoiding system failures. It can be used in various systems, and its design depends on the system it is connected to. It can also stabilize a system temporarily and should be installed correctly to avoid catastrophic failure.
A surge tank is an attachment to a pressurized system designed to adjust to changes in pressure. Its purpose is to neutralize pressure rises and falls to prevent system failures, blowouts and other problems. These devices can be used with many different types of systems ranging from fuel lines in vehicles to systems used to regulate water levels in swimming pools.
The expansion tank is fixed at the highest point of the system. As pressure builds, pushing fluids up, they move into the tank instead of blowing up the system. In the swimming pool example, if several people dive into a pool at the same time, the water flows into the gutters and rises into the tank instead of exiting the pool. The ability to adjust to a sudden increase in pressure is critical with closed systems such as radiators, where the increase in pressure cannot be relieved and could cause a failure.
If the pressure suddenly drops, the expansion tank can fill up with a reserve of fluid until the pressure is equalized again. Tanks connected to fuel lines in vehicles, for example, will step in and supply fuel to the engine if there is a break in the fuel line. While the tank can’t run the system forever, it can stabilize it long enough to fix a problem or bring the system to a safe stop for inspection and repair.
The design of the surge tank depends on the system it is connected to. The device usually has a series of valves to control the movement of fluids and gases from the tank and may have an emergency relief valve designed to release pressure in an emergency. These tanks can also be used to purge air from a system, as the air rises to the top and can be vented while a valve keeps the fluids safe within the system.
When installing an autoclave, it is important to use one designed and rated for the system. If the tank is not mounted correctly or is not strong enough, a catastrophic failure can occur. Many companies make tanks designed for various applications, and it is possible to order customized models for particular set-ups, in case there is a particular need. Persons fitting them to vehicles that are not equipped with a spare tank should be aware that such modifications may void the warranty.
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