Structural and Working Principle of Stainless Steel Buffer Tanks

Buffer tanks are essential auxiliary equipment for reciprocating pumps, used to reduce the unevenness of flow in pipelines, and are available in two types: suction buffer tanks and discharge buffer tanks. Buffer tanks are primarily used to mitigate pressure fluctuations in various systems, ensuring smoother operation. Their buffering performance is mainly achieved by compressing air within the tank. There are two types of buffer tanks: diaphragm-type and airbag-type, and they are widely used in water supply systems and central air conditioning systems, among other applications. Direct contact buffer tanks, also known as atmospheric pressure buffer tanks, are filled with atmospheric pressure gas, where the gas comes into direct contact with the transported liquid. The gas typically used is air, but for the transportation of flammable or explosive liquids, inert gas should be used instead. Additionally, due to direct contact with the transported liquid, some of the gas may dissolve into the liquid (in high-pressure conditions, the solubility is greater), and be carried away by the liquid. Therefore, injection valves or equipment are installed on the buffer tank to replenish air or inert gas.

Diaphragm-type buffer tanks, also known as pre-compressed buffer tanks, separate gas and liquid using a diaphragm, and require the pre-inflation of a certain pressure of gas (air or nitrogen) during operation. Compared to direct-contact buffer tanks, they are smaller in volume and prevent gas and liquid from contacting, ensuring the properties of the transported liquid. They are currently widely used.

Diaphragm buffer tanks are available in two types: single-diaphragm and double-diaphragm. The materials for the diaphragm in single-diaphragm tanks include stainless steel, PVDF, rubber, etc.; double-diaphragm tanks are commonly used in situations where metal diaphragms are not suitable, with materials such as PVC and glass fiber-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene.