Drinking Water Tech Tips

DOH 331-380
May 2011
Revised

Hydropneumatic Tank Control Systems

A hydropneumatic tank contains pressurized air and water. It does not have a bladder and air is in direct contact
with the water. The compressed air acts as a cushion exerting or absorbing pressure. This type of tank serves
three main functions:
1. Delivers water within a selected pressure range so the well pump is not continuously running.
2. Prevents a pump from starting up every time there is a minor call for water from the distribution system.
3. Minimizes pressure surges (water hammer).
Well pumps and booster pumps work with pressure tanks to maintain a consistent pressure range in the system.
The pressure tank maintains the pumping-cycle rate required to avoid overheating the pump motor and
premature motor failure.
Hydropneumatic tanks work best with an air cushion of to the tank capacity. This cushion decreases as
water absorbs air and the tank loses its ability to pressurize the system. To keep that from happening, there must
be an automatic way to replenish the air volume. Adding air manually is not the best way to ensure proper
pressure-tank operation over time. (See page 2 for ways to add air.)
If a pressure tank becomes waterlogged, the motor cycles on and off too frequently (more than six times
an hour). This leads to:
Higher energy costs. It takes a lot of electricity to get a pump motor started and operating at full speed.
Inefficiency. The deeper the well, the longer it takes the pump to move water up and out into the system. A
well pump may cycle so frequently that only a small amount of water reaches the distribution system before
it turns off again.
Equipment failure. Frequent starts and stops can overheat the pump and lead to premature motor failure.
Air Water Control Unit
Air compressor
Water level electrode sensor
Solid state relay

ASME Pressure
Relief Valve

Well Appurtenances
Well vent
Source sample tap
Air release valve
Sounding tube

Pressure
Switch for
Well Pump

Pressure
Gauge

Tank Access
Opening
Pressure

Pressure
Tank
Tank

Sight
Tube
Sight T

Water
Meter

Gate
Valve
Tank Drain

Check
Valve

Vertical
Turbine Well
Pump

End of
Pressure Tank
Tank supports bolted
to a concrete
foundation

Air
Release
Valve

Two ways to add air to a pressure tank

Air
Compressor

Air volume control systems feature an oilless air compressor, a solidstate liquid-level switch with a time delay relay, and a pressure switch.
These features may be together inside a cover mounted on top
of the tank or installed separately.
Solid State

Pressure Switch
(controls air
compressor)

The liquid-level switch senses the water level with an

electrode suspended inside the tank. The pressure switch
senses the air pressure in the tank. Both sensors are set to
maintain the desired water level inside the pressure tank by
controlling when the air compressor runs. Pressure Switch
(controls well pump)

As air dissolves into the water, the

water level inside the tank rises and air
pressure falls. The compressor begins to
pump air into the tank when the water level
rises above the electrode and the air pressure
falls below the pressure switch setting. A timedelay circuit in the liquid-level switch prevents rapid
cycling of the air compressor due to waves in the tank.

Relay Switch

Water Level Sensor

Electrode

Water Level

Air Volume Control Unit

Air charging systems maintain the proper water level by mechanically adding and releasing air into the
pressure tank. There are no sensors or switches. There are many types of air charging systems. They are most
common on older galvanized tanks.
One air charge system uses a bleeder orifice and a snifter valve on the well-pump discharge line to add air
whenever the pump cycles. The bleeder orifice allows water to drain out of the riser pipe and the snifter valve
lets air into the pipe when the pump stops. Check valves prevent water from flowing back into the well. When
the pump starts again, it pushes the air that replaced the water in the pipe between the snifter and bleeder orifice
into the tank. That air lowers the water level in the tank.
Air Release
Valve

As the water level drops, the float attached to the air release valve swings
downward opening the air release valve, which lets excess air out. When the
float rises to set point, the release valve closes.
When the pump starts again, the process repeats.

Float

Water
Well Vent

Snifter
Valve

Air Flowing In

Another air charge system uses a Schrader valve

to draw air into the line before the pressure tank.
An air release valve discharges excess air from
the tank. When a jet pump is used, the suction line
introduces air into the tank through a snifter or
Schrader valve.

Air Flowing In

Water Level
Bleeder
Orifice

Water Flowing Out

For more information

Publications, such as the following, are online at
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/dw/publications/pu
blications.cfm

Schrader Valve

Pressure Relief Valves on Pressure Tanks (331-429)

Troubleshooting Bladder Pressure Tanks (331-342)

Call our nearest regional office:

Eastern Region, Spokane Valley (509) 329-2100
Northwest Region, Kent (253) 395-6750
Southwest Region, Tumwater (360) 236-3030
If you need this publication in alternate format, call (800) 825-0127. For TTY/TDD, call (800) 833-6388.