Pumping station without accumulator: operation features and water supply devices without hydraulic tank

Thanks to modern equipment, a private homeowner has the opportunity to equip an autonomous water supply system at will. For seasonal living in a country house or in the country, a pumping station without a hydraulic accumulator is quite suitable, although such a solution is used less and less because of its impracticality.

Consider the principle of operation, the pros and cons of a system that works directly from the well or well to the points of drawing. Let us evaluate the feasibility of such a solution, as well as provide options for organizing water supply without a hydraulic accumulator.

Is it advisable to abandon the accumulator

When designing a system for supplying water to a house, it is necessary to take into account such factors as the number of consumers, the volume of pumped liquid, the resource of a well or well. If water is required on an ongoing basis and in large quantities, then without accumulator just can not do.

A pumping station with a hydraulic tank provides a continuous supply of water to the house, and if a power outage suddenly occurs, then there will be enough liquid supply to complete your business. The volume of the tank is selected based on needs.

The average volume for domestic use is 25-50 liters, but for frequent use it is better to immediately purchase a tank for 100-200 liters or include a drive in the circuit as an addition.

The hydraulic accumulator performs several important functions: it stabilizes the water pressure in the system, protects equipment from water hammer, and extends the life of the pump

The water supply system can work without a hydraulic accumulator. In fact, it is a pump connected by a pipeline to the points of drawing. The main disadvantage of such a system is the rapid wear of the pumping equipment.

In a system with a hydraulic tank, the pump is switched on only when necessary, here it will turn on every time someone opens a tap with water or wants to water flowers.The engine, due to frequent activation, crashes faster, and the pump has to be repaired or replaced more often than usual.

Connection diagram of a pumping station without a hydraulic tank. The surface pump is installed in the basement, water is supplied through the suction pipe, lowered into the well (well) (+)

However, manufacturers did not abandon models without a hydraulic tank, because they are in demand. Most often, they are interested in the owners of summer cottages who use water supply system only in the summer period - for recreation, growing vegetables or flowers.

Consider situations in which you can do with one pump, without a hydraulic accumulator:

Thus, if there is no need for a large amount of water, which must be supplied stably, constantly and have a supply, you can do with an ordinary automatic pump. In other cases, a hydraulic accumulator is required.

The principle of operation of the system without a hydraulic tank

The equipment that pumps the water works the same way: it takes the liquid in the source — the well, the well — and pumps it into the house, to the points of tapping. The pump can be either submersible or surface.

The role of connecting highways is performed by pipelines from polypropylene pipes or flexible hoses. In the same way, water is supplied to the bathhouse, garage, summer kitchen, pool.

So that water can be used in autumn or early spring, it is recommended to insulate the well, and bury the pipes to a depth of 70-80 cm - then the liquid will not freeze even during freezing

The difference applies to the use of additional devices, such as a hydraulic accumulator, pressure switch etc. Installing pumping equipment without the means of control and adjustment is extremely dangerous - primarily for the equipment itself.

The simplest example of equipment for providing residents of the country with water in the summer is the AL-KO garden pump. With it, you can water the plants, organize a shower, fill the pool with water

If you need a large amount of water or a more stable supply, another important element is included in the circuit - a storage tank. First, water enters it, and only then - to consumers.

When using domestic pumps, the volume of liquid is usually 2 to 6 m³ / h. This amount is usually enough if the station is connected to a well or a well and serves a country house.

When choosing a unit, it should be borne in mind that the absence of a hydraulic tank accelerates the wear of parts, so the equipment must be durable - with a steel or cast-iron housing coated with anti-corrosion paint.

The pump functions are controlled by a pressure switch, which is responsible for regulating the pressure. For monitoring, it is easiest to install a pressure gauge, which is usually equipped with automation pumping stations.

In the absence of a hydraulic accumulator, pressure switches are connected directly to the pump station or integrated with the dry-running relay into the pipeline

In addition to equipment for pumping water, an electric cable, a connection point to the network and grounding terminals are required.If the turnkey solution does not satisfy the needs, the station parts can be purchased separately, and then assembled already at the installation site. The main condition is the correspondence of the elements of the system according to the characteristics.

Water supply without accumulator

If you exclude the accumulator from the water supply, then two options are possible:

• the use of a pump to supply water to the points of tapping directly;
• connecting the storage tank.

Both options are actively used, but the first is optimal for irrigation systems with a small amount of liquid, and the second is most appropriate when you need to provide water for a shower, kitchen faucet - that is, consumers inside the house.

Option # 1 - connecting the pump directly

There are many interesting solutions, but the most practical and economical are automated irrigation systems. They work only during periods when there is no rain, and are installed wherever regular watering is needed - in the garden, near flower beds, on lawns.

One of the options is an expanded irrigation system for a personal plot. It is fully automated. To set the on / off time, connect the controller. Solenoid valves can be installed on each line so that they can be operated individually.

An approximate scheme of autowatering of a summer cottage. Liquid is transported from a well or a well through pipes with a diameter of 19 mm (central) and 16 mm (branches) (+)

The rain sensor makes the irrigation system more efficient: the pump does not function during rainfall.

The order of installation of the irrigation system:

• we place pipes on the surface of the earth according to a pre-compiled scheme, we connect fittings;
• install sprinklers, drip system, watering hoses;
• equip the pump group - surface unit and pressure switch;
• we connect the water supply, we test the system for leaks;
• if all is well, we dig out trenches 30 cm deep, arrange a drainage pillow from gravel and sand, lay the pipeline and fill it up;
• we re-test to check for leaks, check the performance of all lines;
• connect the controller and rain sensor;
• check the operation of all elements of the system.

If the throughput is small, we set up the alternate operation of the lines. This is a complex circuit that requires knowledge of equipment setup. The simplest is ordinary pump type "Kid" with watering hoses connected to it.

Option # 2 - scheme with a storage tank

With the advent of technological stations with a hydraulic accumulator, the circuit has become less popular, but still in use. It is simple and different in that there is a storage tank between the pump and the taps.

Diagram of a water supply system with a storage tank. To ensure the movement of water through pipes with a certain speed and pressure, an additional circular pump is installed

One of the operating conditions of the system is water treatment organization. The first filter is installed on the suction pipe at the surface pumps, on the equipment itself - at the submersible ones. The second is at the entrance to the house. It is better if it is a set of two filters, coarse and fine cleaning.

After the filtration system, a storage tank is installed, and already from it goes a pipe (or pipes) to the points of drawing.

By tradition, the tank is installed as high as possible - for example, in the attic. High position increases pressure in the system, which will function even in the absence of electricity

Storage tank - any tank that is suitable in volume. Previously, galvanized metal tanks were used, now plastic containers of various configurations are used. They are equipped with one inlet pipe for supplying water from the well, and two outgoing pipes for distribution to consumers and drain pipes.

On top of the tank is covered with a hinged lid that protects the liquid from debris and dust.By removing the lid, you can analyze the condition of the tank and the water that is stored in it. In case of severe contamination, the liquid is discharged through the drain pipe, and the tank is washed.

The main control element is the float mechanism. As soon as the water level reaches the maximum mark, the inlet pipe is blocked, and the flow into the tank is stopped. At a low level, on the contrary, the inlet opens and water begins to flow into the tank.

Plastic storage tank mounted in the attic. It is lighter in weight than a metal container, so it is much more convenient to mount it. In order to prevent water from freezing, in the northern regions the walls of the tank are insulated

Plus the use of a storage tank: there is always a supply of water that is supplied under a slight pressure, even if all the pumps are turned off. Minus - difficulties in installation. Volumetric tanks require space and a base that can support their weight.

In the case of installation of systems for year-round operation, the attic or at least the tank itself, placed in an unheated attic space, must be insulated.

In order to avoid overflow and flooding of floors located below, drives are necessarily equipped with overflow pipes. If the permissible volume is exceeded, water through the overflow hole arranged in the upper third of the tank will drain through the connected pipe to the sewer.

Positive and negative reviews

How good a system without a hydraulic accumulator is in practice is best judged by user reviews - owners who have been using it in their homes for a year or more.

One of the advantages is the compact size and ergonomics of the pumping station. There is no accumulator, which takes up a lot of space, as a result of which it is much easier to find a small corner for installing the pump.

It is possible to use different types of pumps with equal success, including submersible units- then only piping and control devices will be on the surface.

The cost of the unit without a hydraulic tank is lower, and installation is easier.

An example of a pumping station that can be used for domestic maintenance of a summer residence. The pump is equipped with a pressure switch and protection against dry running

There are also disadvantages, the main one is insufficient power. A system without a hydraulic accumulator has minimal performance, and pumping equipment is constantly at risk of failure.

It is not protected from water hammer, and from frequent on / off, it simply wears out earlier than stated by the manufacturer.

Today, when many models with a hydraulic accumulator with a cost of more than 8,000 rubles are presented on the market, a system with a storage tank is recognized as obsolete and irrational.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Overview of the vortex pump with pressure switch:

Automation for pumping stations without hydraulic accumulators:

Connecting the pumping station to the storage tank:

The use of a water supply system without a hydraulic tank at a summer cottage is possible, however it will be limited in power and partially unprotected, even when equipped with automation. It is much more convenient to use a modern pumping station with a hydraulic accumulator, especially to provide the house with the necessary amount of water.

Have experience operating a pumping station without a hydraulic accumulator? Or want to ask questions on the topic? Please comment on the publication and participate in the discussions. The feedback block is located below.