Varieties of gas holders: the basics of classification + an overview of popular brands

When choosing a tank for storing liquefied gas, everything is important: from the principle of operation of the device to its physical parameters. There are varieties of gas holders on the gas equipment market that differ in performance, size and installation method.

To better understand modern models, we recommend that you study the basics of classification and features of popular species.

Gas holder and the reasons for its acquisition

A gas holder in the broad sense of the term is a reservoir for storing substances in a gaseous state. At industrial facilities, natural gas, biogas, and liquefied petroleum gas are stored in bulk containers. For country houses of permanent residence, cottages, cottage villages, sports facilities, holiday homes use gas holders equipped for storage of LPG - a liquefied mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons.

The substances that make up the base (about 40 and 60% of the total) are propane and butane. In order to transfer them from a normal gaseous state to a liquefied one, the pressure in the tank is increased, an in-line evaporator is necessary for the reverse process (but for household models it is typical for natural evaporation at positive temperature).

Gas storage in separate tanks is relevant for residential buildings and industrial facilities that are located outside the central gas supply zone. Of course, main natural gas It remains the cheapest type of energy carrier, but not all areas are gasified.

In the absence of the ability to connect to the highway, the owners of suburban real estate acquire household gas storages - gas holders designed to serve one house

Before choosing a model, it is necessary to make calculations in order to correctly determine the volume of the tank and its productivity. You can independently calculate, but for more accurate results, it is better to contact a company that sells equipment.The simplest choice is made by comparing the volume of capacity with the area of ​​the house (taking into account the number of gas consumers).

One way or another, it will not be superfluous to study in advance the nuances of various models, find out about working conditions and design features.

Classification of gas storage tanks

Many modifications have been created for storing various types of gases under excessive pressure. Not all models on the market are suitable for use on a private land plot. Let’s try to find out which gas holders are household and which are used only in the industrial segment.

Overpressure

The pressure inside the tanks may differ, and therefore it is customary to divide all gas holders into two categories:

• high pressure (0.7 kgf / cm² - 30 kgf / cm² and more or up to 3 MPa) - have constant parameters of the geometric volume;
• low pressure (0.05 kgf / cm². or up to 4-5 kPa) - characterized by a variable geometric volume and constant pressure.

For private use, low-pressure equipment is produced. In the production process, it is taken into account that the functioning of the devices occurs at low temperatures (up to -40 ° C) and in a sufficiently humid environment (ground models are exposed to atmospheric precipitation, and underground models are in contact with groundwater). Therefore, low-carbon steel St3 (GOST 380-60) is used for the manufacture of the case.

The material for low pressure storage should be durable, suitable for welding in the factory, not have brittleness at low temperatures

Especially for installation in the Far North, where the temperature often drops below -40 ° C, low-alloy steel models are produced (for example, from grades 09G2S (M), 10G2S1).

Ordinary steel St3, as well as grades 09G2S (N), 15KHSND (NL-2) are involved in the production of cases of high-pressure gas holders.

The scope of high pressure gas holders is industrial enterprises, urban gas stations. Standard cylindrical models with volume up to 270 m3 withstand pressure up to 20 kgf / cm2

Dividing into species by way of work

There are two large groups of low pressure gas holders: dry and wet. Such a division is justified by both the design features and the principle of action.

A simplified schematic representation of both types of gas tanks. Tanks are sealed in different ways: in wet gas holders (MG) a water shutter is used, and in dry analogs (SG) - without the participation of water, for example, using sealants

Low concentration gases are suitable for use in MGs, which tolerate water moistening well and do not form corrosion of steel elements.

Conversely, concentrated gases that do not tolerate contact with water (e.g., propylene or ethylene) are stored in dry-type tanks.

The MG design consists of three main elements: a reservoir filled with water, a movable part in the form of a telescope and a spherical bell. The total minimum volume of the structure is 100 m³, the maximum is about 30 thousand m³

In a gas-filled tank, the bell is in the upper position. As the volume of gas decreases, it lowers down along the guides. Water in the tank plays the role of a water trap and prevents the gas from spreading beyond the bell. Due to the presence of water, it is necessary to maintain the temperature not lower than + 4-5 ° С. MG are often used as buffer tanks for compressors.

SG body resembles a dome, welded or steel sheets 5 mm thick, the upper part is covered by 3 mm steel. Inside the case there is a horizontally located washer, which changes its position depending on the filling. SG, unlike MG, is easier to maintain and suitable for storing high concentration gases.

Constant and variable volume

Gas storage tanks of variable volume can be dry and wet, reach 50 thousand cubic meters of volume.They are constructed of steel sheets or reinforced concrete. Their main purpose is not to store a gaseous medium, but to adjust the required level of gas pressure, which is inside the tanks at a temperature similar to the environment. These are bulky structures, which are now rarely used.

In connection with the development of technologies and the emergence of new, more durable materials, devices of a constant volume have replaced gas-holders of variable volume. They withstand increased loads, are not susceptible to corrosion even when storing aggressive media and when installing control valves allow you to control the gas pressure within normal limits. Domestic varieties of gas holders belong to this type.

Grouping by design form

The shape of gas holders is more often cylindrical (vertically or horizontally directed), less often - spherical. Residential tanks usually have a volume of 2.5 m or more.³ up to 10 thousand m³ and look like a cylinder with rounded ends.

A horizontally directed gas holder installed in a pit. The body and its contents are heated by the heat of the earth, due to which the necessary temperature for gas evaporation is constantly maintained

Manufacturers of horizontal gas tanks claim that the evaporation surface area is increased in such tanks. This positively affects both the process of changing the liquid phase into a gaseous one, and maintaining the necessary working pressure in the system.

However, vertical models function no less efficiently and have proven their worth in the northern regions, where the temperature often drops to -40 ° С.

To install vertical gas holders, a small excavation pit is required. For example, for the installation of a 1650-liter Antonio Merloni gas tank, you need a pit with a diameter of only 2 m

Spherical (ball) tanks are designed to store gaseous media on an industrial scale and usually have large volumes - from 5 thousand m³ to 10 thousand m³. The tank built in France broke all records - 87 thousand m³.

Selection of types at the installation site

All gas holders can be divided into 2 types - ground and underground. The former are installed on a solid foundation directly on the ground, and the latter are buried in the ground, having previously placed a concrete slab at the bottom of the pit. To perform a particular type of installation, a number of conditions must be observed.

For industrial applications, an outdoor installation is preferred. Gas tanker parks are rows or groups of tanks connected by a collector device. Large-capacity ground tanks are easier to maintain - to monitor for leaks and pressure, to carry out a visual inspection. An obligatory element is the evaporator, as the temperature can drop below + 5 ° C.

A feature of mounting spherical structures is assembly at the installation site. They build supports according to the size of the tanks, and then weld the halves or “petals” of the bodies

In cottage villages, mainly underground models are used.

Installation in the ground has a couple of important advantages:

• the evaporation process occurs naturally, since due to the heat of the earth the temperature does not fall below +5 ° C, therefore, an evaporator is not needed;
• a tank installed in the ground does not bring disharmony into the landscape design (although saving space is very conditional - you can’t install buildings over it, place flower beds or plant trees).

The disadvantage is the costly installation associated with land work. Also, after a certain period (depending on the model), the tank must be checked for integrity. According to federal standards, every 8 years it is necessary to carry out hydraulic tests for strength or the procedure for ultrasonic testing. It aims to check the thickness and strength of the walls, as underground models are more susceptible to corrosion.

You can read more about how to install gas holders on a site here. If it is not possible to independently mount the gas tank, you can order turnkey installation.

In addition to underground and ground installations, stationary and mobile. In the first case, the tanks are completely mounted on a concrete base, secured with anchors or cables, after which their movement is prohibited. In the second, on the contrary, they are transported depending on the purpose of use.

Mobile models are notable for their small volume (up to 1 thousand liters), the possibility of installation on a vehicle, the ease of refueling from a cylinder or at a gas station.

The most popular types of household gas tanks are presented in the photo gallery:

Before choosing equipment, it is necessary to make preliminary calculations of consumption, examine the territory, and analyze the possibilities of various types of installation.

Tips for choosing a gas tank for home

When buying a gas tank for long-term use, the owners of suburban real estate try to provide for all the nuances of the design of the tank and its installation on their site.

The main criteria are:

• tank volume;
• installation method;
• for underground installation - horizontal or vertical orientation;
• for above-ground models - mobility.

It should be based on volume - it is important to choose a model that could be refueled 1-2 times a year. There are mini-options that refuel more often, but only with constant use. If the cottage is rarely visited, then a capacity of 500-600 liters is quite enough.

In cottage villages remote from the central gas main, a scheme for connecting several houses to a group of gas tanks installed in one place is successfully used - it is more economical and practical

To calculate how much is needed for one house, most often use tables compiled by equipment manufacturers. For example, for a residential building with an area of ​​150 m², the recommended volume is 2650-2700 liters, and for 400 m² - 6400 liters.

For large tanks, it is necessary to determine the installation method. In the southern regions, you can use ground models, but provided there are no frosts, otherwise you may encounter gas supply problems. And the requirements for the installation site are more stringent than for underground counterparts. By and large, ground-based gas holders are selected as a last resort, if there are no conditions for placing underground models.

The ground tank is installed on a specially designated leveled area away from crowds (houses and recreation areas).Structural stability must be ensured to avoid tipping over

Underground models are more popular, although more expensive. An important condition for installing a gas tank buried in the ground is a free area at a distance of 10 m from the house (some manufacturers indicate a shorter distance - from 5 m). Read more about maintaining distances when placing a gas tank. Further.

The dimensions of the pit depend on the dimensions of the tank, they are usually indicated in the technical documentation.

Far from home, digging out a pit for a small gas tank is also not recommended, since laying a gas pipeline is more complicated (there should not be objects and roads between the equipment and the building)

When choosing an underground model, you need to decide whether the horizontal or vertical model is better. Vertical saves space, while horizontal better supports the required level of pressure. If your house is located in a region with cold winters, then the best option for uninterrupted gas supply for a large cottage is a horizontal underground model.

Overview of popular brands

The market is filled with high-quality models of Russian and foreign manufacturers, so it is really difficult to choose equipment for autonomous use. Household gas holders from Italy compete with products from Poland, and Bulgarian - with Russian. Standards adopted in different countries may vary, as well as installation nuances.

It is noticed that Russian models differ from Czech or Italian gas holders in the thicker case walls - 8 mm, however, the protective epoxy coating may be weaker than that of European equipment. The disadvantage is usually compensated by electrochemical protection.

Some models of foreign production are not designed for low temperatures, so when buying, you must make sure that the equipment is delivered with the permission of Rostekhnadzor. You should also be aware of one small but important nuance for refueling: special gas carriers are needed to service imported gas tanks.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

More information about the design of gas tanks and their installation can be obtained from people who are engaged in the production and sale of gas equipment, as well as from experienced users.

Product Information Antonio Merloni:

More about mobile devices from Chelyabinsk:

Reviews - why vertical models are good:

Tips for choosing the height of the neck:

How to install a gas tank:

As you can see, understanding the types of modern gas tanks is quite difficult. However, there are rules by which you can independently choose the right model. If you can’t calculate the volume of the tank or calculate the purchase price with the installation, we recommend contacting specialists - representatives of companies that sell equipment for autonomous gasification.

Have questions, find bugs or is there valuable information that you can share with visitors to our site? Please leave comments, share your experience in the block below.