R309-540-6. Hydropneumatic Systems


Latest version.
  • (1) General.

    Hydropneumatic systems shall comply with all appropriate sections of R309-540-5 except as otherwise indicated herein.

    Unpressurized ground level or elevated storage, designed in accordance with R309-545, shall be provided for community type public water systems or non-transient non-community systems where a demand in excess of the capacity of the source(s) is required, in addition to the diaphragm or air tanks. Diaphragm or air pressure tank storage shall not be considered for fire protection purposes or effective system storage for community type systems.

    (2) Location.

    If diaphragm or air tanks and appurtenances are located below ground, adequate provisions for drainage, ventilation, maintenance, and flood protection shall be made and the electrical controls shall be located above grade so as to be protected from flooding as required by R309-540-5(6)(e). Any discharge piping from combination air release/vacuum relief valves(air/vac's) or pressure relief valves located in below ground chambers shall comply with all the pertinent requirements of R309-550-6(6).

    (3) Operating Pressures.

    The system shall be designed to provide minimum pressures in R309-105-9 at all points in the distribution system. A pressure gauge shall be installed on the pressure tank inlet line.

    (4) Piping.

    In addition to the bypass required by R309-540-5(4)(iv) on the pumps, the diaphragm or air tanks shall have sufficient bypass piping to permit operation of the hydropneumatic system while one or more of the tanks are being repaired, replaced or painted.

    (5) Pumps.

    At least two pumping units shall be provided except for those type systems not requiring unpressurized storage in R309-540-6(1); they may use the pump within their groundwater source to pressurize the diaphragm or air tanks. With any pump out of service the remaining pump or pumps shall be capable of providing the peak instantaneous demand of the system as described in R309-510-9(2), while recharging the pressure tank at 115 percent of the upper pressure setting. Pump cycling shall not exceed 15 starts per hour, with a maximum of ten starts per hour preferred.

    (6) Pressure Tanks.

    (a) Pressure tanks shall meet the requirement of state and local laws and regulations for the manufacture and installation of unfired pressure vessels. Interior coatings or diaphragms used in pressure tanks that will come into contact with the drinking water shall comply with ANSI/NSF Standard 61. Non diaphragm pressure tanks shall have an access manhole, a drain, control equipment consisting of pressure gauge, water sight glass, automatic or manual air blow-off, means for adding air, and pressure operated start-stop controls for the pumps.

    (b) The minimum volume of the pressure tank or combination of tanks shall be greater than or equal to the sum of S and the value of CX divided by 4W.

    where the following values are used in the equation above:

    C = minutes per operating cycle, four minutes to meet the requirements of R309-540-6(5) above or preferably six minutes, and is equal to pump ON time plus pump OFF time.

    X = output capacity rating of the pump(s) at the high pressure condition in the tank(s), in gpm.

    W = percent of volume withdrawn during a given drop in tank pressure: specifically, between Ph and Pl. W = 100(Ph- Pl)/Ph where Ph = high pressure in tank in psia (high absolute pressure) and Pl = low pressure in tank is psia (low absolute pressure). Values of W range typically from 0.26 to 0.31 for pressure differentials of 15 to 30 psi and high system pressures of 45 to 85 psi at elevations of approximately 5,000 feet.

    S = water seal volume in gallons, the volume of inactive water remaining in tank at low pressure condition.

    (7) Air Volume.

    The method of adjusting the air volume shall be acceptable to the Director. Air delivered by compressors to the pressure tank shall be adequately filtered, oil free, and be of adequate volume. Any intake shall be screened and draw clean air from a point at least 10 feet above the ground or other source of possible contamination, unless the air is filtered by an apparatus approved by the Director. Discharge piping from air relief valves shall be designed and installed with screens to eliminate the possibility of contamination from this source.

    (8) Water Seal.

    For air pressure tanks without an internal diaphragm the volume of water remaining in a air pressure tank at the lower pressure setting shall be sufficient to provide an adequate water seal at the outlet to prevent the leakage of air.

    The following water seal depths shall be considered as minimum requirements.

    (a) Horizontal outlets shall maintain sufficient depth, as measured from the centerline of the horizontal outlet pipe, such that the depth is greater than or equal to the sum of d and twice the value v2 divided by 2G.

    (b) Vertical outlets, if unbaffled, the depth shall be the same as in (a) except measured from the pipe outlet; if baffled, the depth shall be greater than or equal to the value v2 divided by 2G.

    where the following values are used in the equations above:

    v = the axial velocity in the pipe outlet for the peak instantaneous demand flow rate of the system.

    d = the diameter of the outlet pipe in ft.

    G = the gravitational constant of 32.2 ft/sec/sec.

    (9) Standby Power Supply.

    Where a hydropneumatic system is intended to serve a public water system, categorized as a community water system as defined in R309-110, a standby source of power shall be provided.