In our easy-to-use app guide, you will find a quick reference page explaining the icons. Here are the icons most commonly found on the app:

The calculator allows you to select the type of tank you wish to size: HVAC expansion, domestic hot water, well & pressure booster, and buffer. You can also use the app to convert a compression style expansion tank to a removable bladder or fixed-diaphragm design. To learn more about each category of product, simply click or tap the (?) help buttons next to each product.

On each tank page, you will see a series of entry fields and drop down menus that will need to be filled out to determine the tank size you need for the job.

For HVAC expansion tanks, the first field you will need to answer is System Volume in gallons. If you don’t know your system’s volume, you can click the System Volume Estimator to get an idea.

You will also need to know the fluid type used within the system and the operating temperature range.  Finally, you will need the initial and final pressure, which both have estimators that can help determine an approximate value.

When you are ready to size your tank, click “Calculate” and you will be taken to the calculated critical sizing page.  Here you will be given a “Required Tank Volume” and product suggestions based on that calculation.

Once you’ve selected a product, the final page of the app will display the product submittal, installation & operation manual, and brochure.  If you decide to request a quote to purchase the product, you can click “Request Quote” and the app will auto-generate an email with your calculations that you can then send to the Wessels quotation department.

Wessels makes it easy to determine which product is best suited for your job, which volume is needed, and the details of the product.  Remember, if you are unsure about your selection, Wessels Company’s friendly customer service is available to help ensure you make the right selection. Send us an email at wessels@westank.com, give us a call at 317-888-9800 or live chat with us right on our website by clicking the floating “Start Chat” window.

You can find the Wessels tank sizing app online at https://www.westank.com/calculator/ or you can download it to your iOS or Android phone by searching your app store for “Wessels Company”.

The post How To: Size Expansion Tanks Using Wessels Free Tank Calculator first appeared on Wessels Company.

Wessels Company makes Glycol Makeup Packages in Glymatic, Single, Double, and Twin systems. The purpose of a GMP is to maintain system pressure.

In the sequence of operation in a system using a GMP, the glycol solution mixture is held in a solution container and then is pulled through a pump. The pump has an internal spring that utilizes a pressure relief valve, if the pressure in the system is too high. Fluid goes into the pump, the pressure is increased with a rotary vane, and then is discharged into the system at a higher pressure.

The package is protected by a low water cutoff probe in the solution container. Two probes are in the container and monitor the glycol mixture

level. If the level falls too low, the continuity between the offset probe is broken and the pump is shut off, which sounds an alarm.

The pump is controlled by a pressure switch, which is set to turn on at 60 psi and to cut off at 80 psi. The 80 psi of fluid is then stored in an expansion tank to hold the excess fluid. The expansion tank is a diaphragm tank that has a pre-charged pressurized air cushion, which helps maintain the pressure in the system to 80 psi.

The fluid then flows through a pressure reducing valve or PRV, which is set for the system’s required pressure. The valve’s range can go from 10 to 70 psi, which can be for whatever pressure your system needs.

Inside the PRV, a spring sets the tension that holds the valve open. The valve can be set to point downstream between 10 and 70 psi, the spring will hold the valve open until the downstream pressure equalizes the spring tension through the diaphragm, that will hold the diaphragm up and close the valve.

Wessels Company offers four different types of GMP systems: a glymatic, a single, duplex, and twin. A Glymatic system package is a free-standing solution reservoir that holds the glycol/water solution at atmospheric pressure. A pressure assembly is mounted on the solution reservoir’s cover keeping the pressurization unit off the floor. This GMP uses a pressure station to move fluid from a 6 or 15-gallon reservoir pressurized to between 1 and 25 psi, up to 130° F. The solution then remains stored until it is needed to replenish the system that has lost its glycol/water or water solution.

The single system GMP automatically services one closed-loop system. This GMP holds a reservoir of 50 or 100-gallons and 1/3 and 1/2 horse power pump pressurization control station with magnetic starter. The 1/3 HP is used for systems of 50 PSI pressure and the ½ HP station is used for systems up to 70 PSI.

The Duplex system or GMPD, services two separate closed-loop systems. This system is available with 50- or 100-gallon reservoir and 1/3 or ½ HP pump pressurization control also with magnetic starter.

The Twin system or GMPT also services one closed-loop system and is available with the 50 or 100-gallon reservoir with 1/3 or ½ HP pump.

However, a control panel with alternator and dual magnetic starter is used with this system to easily and automatically alternate between two pumps.

To see exactly how the GMP system works, you can watch our technical video, here.

You can also learn more about the GMPs, on our website, here.

The post How To: Understanding the Makeup of Glycol Makeup Packages first appeared on Wessels Company.

Pre-charged diaphragm and bladder tanks are necessary to protect systems from excessive pressure, energy, or water in a variety of scenarios. In this blog, we will discuss why you need to pre-charge, how to decide pre-charge settings, and the maintenance that should be done on this type of tank.

Pre-charge pressure is needed for bladder tanks which are used in HVAC domestic hot water, water well, pressure booster, and shock and surge applications. An engineer or maintenance person must first determine the application and pressure requirements of the system to determine the pre-charge setting.

For domestic water heating systems, the thermal expansion tank is positioned between the cold-water supply to the building and the water heater. The pre-charge pressure is set to equal the cold-water static or no flow condition. For example, if the supply line pressure is 60 psi, the pre-charge within the expansion tank should be set to 60 psi. As water flows, the flow pressure drops below static pressure. Thermal expansion protection is not needed since the expanded water is leaving the plumbing system. As flow stops and static pressure returns to the system, the pre-charged expansion tank is fully engaged to handle the expanded water.

A shock and surge arrestor accepts water at the quick closing valve to help dissipate the kinetic energy from the suddenly stopped water column. When water flows, every foot per second water flow velocity creates 65 psi of increased pressure over static. This spike will occur within a millisecond if the water is stopped suddenly. The kinetically created pressure reverberates through the pipe by increasing the pipe diameter to the point of relief, and as the pressure wave is reflected and returns, it constricts the pipe.

Most flow going through a pipe will be between 4 and 8 feet per second which equates to an increase of 260 to 520 psi. The pre-charge pressure for the arrestor should be set 10% below the flow pressure. The shock arrestor absorbs the excess pressure from the sudden energy surge. The pressure will equalize due to the energy absorption within the pipe. Instead of the buildup of the pressure damaging the pipe, the shock and surge arrestor takes the brunt of the pressure to ensure the safety of the pipe.

For a water well tank, or hydro-pneumatic system, a pressure switch controls the pump. The switch is normally set to a differential of 20 psi between the minimum required pressure for the building and the high pressure dictated by the switch. A home’s water well system is normally set to 2 psi below the pump cut-in to maximize the water stored, thus resulting in the longest pump run-time which helps extend the life and power of the pump. Within a commercial building, the normal pre-charge is set 10% below the pump cut-in pressure.

Yearly preventative maintenance should be completed to ensure your bladder or diaphragm tank is holding its pre-charge and thereby providing necessary system protection. The process of checking the tank begins with isolating the vessel from the system. A drain should be installed between the system isolation valve and the tank. If no drain is present, identify another means of discharging water from the tank. Often a plumbing union can be loosened to drain the tank water.

Check the pre-charge pressure and add pressure if needed. Note, it is best to keep the drain open when re-charging the tank so you can determine if air is passing through the bladder/diaphragm and leaving through the drain. If this occurs, the bladder/diaphragm is compromised.

Preventative maintenance will help extend the life of the tank and the bladder. It is important to check areas within the tank that might be subject to loss of pressure or air, such as any tapings or seams on the tank that may have corroded, or a malfunctioning air valve or plug. It is also important to remove the water from the bladder once a year to ensure there are no loss of pressure issues with the tank.

The pre-charge tank function ensures a minimum pressure. A designer will typically determine this based on building height, minimum pressure needed at each fixture, or what will result in the greatest system protection.

To learn about correctly sizing an expansion tank, check out this related article:

The post How To: Understand Pre-Charge in Bladder Tanks first appeared on Wessels Company.

Begin by isolating the expansion tank from the system.  Remove valve cap and unscrew the valve core to release the air charge and then carefully lay the tank on its side to drain water out.

Next, remove the elbow connector at the base of the tank and remove jam nut.  Push the bottom system connection into the tank.  Remove the top cover from the tank and pull the bladder out. Be sure to save the jam nut and system connection as they are not a part of the bladder replacement package.

Clean the bottom system connection.  Then inspect the bladder to make sure there are no sharp edges from the connection that can cut you or the bladder.

Inspect the inside of the tank for moisture, debris, or sharp edges.  Any sharp edges should be ground smooth or touched up with sand paper.  This will prevent the new bladder from rupturing by rubbing up against them.

Remove the new bladder from the box and inspect it for tears or holes before installing it into the tank.  Drop the bottom system connection into the bladder and insert into the bottom opening.

Carefully set the tank upright.  Lay out the new bladder and roll it vertically to allow the entire bladder to fit into to hole in the top of the tank and guide the bladder inside.

Pull the bottom system connection through and screw the jam nut on the bottom. Return the tank to its side to allow for easier installation of the bladder. Tighten the jam nut with a pipe wrench to a hand tightened strength plus ¾ of another turn.

Wrap the bottom system connector with Teflon tape, apply pipe sealant and attach the elbow connector to the bottom system connector.  Before putting the top cover back on, make sure the bladder is seated inside the tank properly and is not twisted.

Re-attach the top cover evenly, tightening bolts in a star pattern. If using an impact gun to tighten, use 50 – 60 lbs. of pressure on your settings.  Stand the tank back up, secure the valve core, and pre-charge tank to minimum system pressure.

Your new bladder is now installed, and the expansion tank is ready to be introduced back into the system.  Make sure you check the pressure 24 hours after installation to ensure pressure is holding.  After that, check the pressure every 6 – 12 months.  Under normal application, the unit should not lose more than 1 lb. per year at most.

If you have any questions about the bladder, tank, or installation, please call the Wessels Company office at 317-888-9800.

Wessels also has a handy youtube video which breaks down the process in easy to follow steps:

The post How To: Bladder Replacement for Wessels Expansion Tanks first appeared on Wessels Company.