HYDROPNEUMATIC

PRESSURE
BOOSTING
SYSTEM
PUMPING OF WATER
 PUMPING OF WATER AND PRESSURE
• Just as the human body requires a normal blood pressure to
operate efficiently, so does a building’s water supply /
distribution system require pressure.

• Pressure is required to raise and force water through the

system, from the supply to the fixtures.

• If the building’s pressure is too low, the various plumbing

fixtures will not function efficiently.

• The pressure may be developed by pumping water within the

building.

4
 PUMPING OF WATER AND PRESSURE

• The amount of pressure required in any system is governed by

the amount of pressure lost in overcoming two forces – gravity
and friction.
• Every time water is pumped around or through pipes and
fittings one must consider:
a. How high must the water be lifted? This is known as Static
Head.
b. How much friction is developed between the pipes and
fittings and the water? This is known as Friction Head.
• After the forces of gravity and friction are overcome, there
must be enough pressure remaining to operate the given
plumbing fixtures. This is known as Residual Head or
Discharge Head.
 HYDROPNEUMATIC PRESSURE SYSTEM
• Hydropneumatic pressure boosting system – is composed of
pump/s, pressure tank, suction tank, pipes and fittings
introduced into the water supply system to boost the
pressure and deliver water to different points of use in a
building.

• Whenever the water pressure in the main or other source of

supply will not provide a water pressure of at least 103 kPa,
after allowing friction and other pressure losses, a
hydro-pneumatic pressure tank or an elevated tank and
booster pump will provide said 103 kPa pressure.
(1999 NPCP, Sec. 607.1)
 What is Hydro-pneumatic Pressure System?
• The topmost floor of the building may not have the available
working pressure for the plumbing fixtures contained therein
due to lack of the required head.

• To compensate for this deficiency, a hydropneumatic system is

provided to raise and supply water to these fixtures, using
compressed air as the delivering agent.

• This system is composed of a centrifugal pump and a

cylindrical storage tank.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 7

 Hydropneumatic Pressure System
• This is a pumping system that provide water
within pre-set flow and pressure ratings,
automatically on demand giving all the
advantages of city water supply.

• This system contains 4 basic elements:

Pressure
1. Suction Tank or Break Tank
Cistern
2. Booster Pump Pressure
3. Pressure Tank Gauge and
Pressure
4. Pressure Switch & Switch
Pressure Gauge
Booster
Pump

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 8

Hydro-pneumatic Pressure System for
small to medium installations
Hydro-pneumatic Pressure System for
large installation
 Operating Principle of Hydro-pneumatic Pressure System:
• The pressure tank is normally filled with water in the lower part & air in
the upper part.
• The water is pumped into the tank near the bottom, compressing the air
above it.
• The usual pressure range is 138 kPa (20 psi) minimum to 276 kPa (40 psi)
maximum.
• When the pressure is at minimum, the pump starts and if the pressure
reaches maximum, it stops.

11
Operating Principle of Hydro-pneumatic Pressure System:
Pressure Boosting System Configurations:
1. Direct Boosting System 2. Zone Divided System

Direct Boosting System:

A system where a
booster set connected
directly to the break
tank/cistern serves the
whole building or only
the upper parts of it.
Pressure Boosting System Configurations:
1. Direct Boosting System 2. Zone Divided System

Zone Divided System. Here, a

number of boosters connected
to a common break tank serve
their own pressure zone.
In multi storey buildings,
pressure boosting systems
serve zones of about 10 storeys.
A thirty storey building may be
provided with 3 distinct units,
each providing water supply at
every 10 floor interval.
Pressure Boosting System

The operating pressure of the system is a function of the flow

through the system and the arrangement of the system in terms
of the pipe length, fittings, pipe size, the change in liquid
elevation, pressure on the liquid surface, etc.

To achieve a required flow through a pumping system, we need

to calculate what the operating pressure of the system will be to
select a suitable pump.

For the Pressure Boosting System, the choice of the pump is

governed by 2 factors, namely the:
1. Rate of Flow (Q)
2. Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
 Pressure Boosting System: Total Dynamic Head

The Total Dynamic Head for the Pressure Boosting System can be calculated by
determining the following heads/ pressure:
Total Dynamic Head = Discharge Head
+ Discharge Pressure Desired
+ Friction Head
Where:
Discharge Head = Static Head* + Suction Head** (when applicable)
Discharge Pressure Desired or Pressure Head*** = Use 21.11 meters****
Friction Head = [(Total measured distances x 1.85) 1.15 kPa/m] ÷ 9.81 kPa/meter
*Static Head = is the vertical distance from the center line of the pump to the highest fixture.
** Suction Head = is the vertical distance from the center line of pump down to the free
surface of the water
*** Pressure Head = – is the vertical height to which a given pressure will force water up. If the
pressure is known the head can be calculated as:
Pressure Head (m) = Pressure (kPa) x 0.102 m/kPa
****21.11 meters = Discharge Pressure Desired of 207 kPa x 0.102 m/kPa
1.85 = multiplier to account for equivalent length of fittings and valves
1.15 kPa/m = allowable pressure loss due to friction
Pressure Boosting System: Various Pumping
Heads for Positive Suction

Static Head-is the vertical distance from the center line of the pump to the highest fixture.

Pressure Head – is the vertical height to which a given pressure will force water up. If the
pressure is known the head can be calculated as:
Head (m) = Pressure (kPa) x 0.102m/kPa.

Friction Head-is the head necessary to overcome resistance of pipe walls to flow of the
liquid.
Pressure Boosting System: Various Pumping
Heads for Negative Suction

Suction Head – exists when the pump is above the liquid to be pumped & is the vertical
distance from the centerline of the pump down to the free surface of the liquid.

Discharge Head = Static Head + Suction Head

 Suction Tank or Break Cistern
• Storage tanks are required • Suction Tank – an above-grade
in the hydro-pneumatic storage tank placed directly
pressure system to adjacent to the suction end of
the booster pump. A positive
maintain a volume of water
(flooded) suction head is
that is supplied to the generated.
booster pump*.
• Break Cistern – an underground
*The booster pump is not allowed storage tank located below the
to tap to the water main as this will suction end of the booster
reduce the pressure and interrupt pump. A negative (non-
the supply to adjoining buildings. flooded) suction head is
generated.
 Positive Suction vs. Negative Suction

Positive Suction – exists Negative Suction (Non-flooded) –

when the pump is below the exists when the pump is above the
liquid to be pumped. liquid to be pumped.
 PRESSURE TANK

SUCTION TANK

BOOSTER PUMP
To House

Piping Installation of a Hydro-pneumatic Pressure Boosting

System with a Suction Tank
Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 21
Piping Installation of a Hydro-pneumatic Pressure Boosting System with a Break
Cistern
 Types of Suction Tanks
• Stainless Steel 304 Tanks • Polyethylene Tanks
1. SS 304 Vertical Round Top & 1. Vertical Type
Bottom 2. Horizontal Type
2. SS 304 Horizontal Cylindrical 3. Fiber Reinforced Plastic
3. SS 304 Modular Storage (FRP) Modular Storage
Tank Tank
STAINLESS STEEL SUCTION TANK
VERTICAL ROUND TOP AND BOTTOM
Stainless steel is a durable and
cost-efficient choice for the
water storage system needs. It
is:
a. Food Grade
b. Lightweight
c. Durable
d. Non- Toxic
e. Corrosion Resistant
f. Low Maintenance

The material specification is

Stainless Steel Grade 304, to
ensure that water is sourced
and stored rust-free and safe.
Stainless Steel Grade 304 is
resistant to corrosion, this does
not mean that it is corrosion
proof. Therefore it is
recommended that the interior
and exterior part of the tank
must be regularly cleaned and
removed of residue accretion.

It is also discouraged to store

salty water, acids, alkali, or
water with high amount of
dissolved solids such as calcium
carbonates.

It is also advisable to avoid

installing the stainless steel
tanks near the sea.
Water Tank Data for Stainless Steel 304 Horizontal Type
Tank Diameter of Length of Tank Diameter of Length of
Capacity in Tank in mm Tank in mmCapacity in Tank in mm Tank in mm
Liters Liters
400 700 mm 1140 mm 4200 1420 mm 1870 mm
500 700 1440 4600 1700 2260
775 850 1440 5300 1700 2570
800 970 1320 6000 1700 2870
1000 970 1650 6100 1900 2250
1200 1050 1650 6900 1900 2570
1500 1050 1880 7600 1900 2870
1700 1230 1610 8000 2200 2540
2000 1230 1960 10500 2200 3150
2600 1420 1960 12800 2200 3680
3200 1420 2260 15000 2200 4290
3800 1420 2510 17500 2200 4900
4000 1700 1950 20000 2200 5500
Water Tank Data for Stainless Steel 304 Vertical Round Top and Bottom
Tank Diameter of Height of Tank Diameter of Height of
Capacity in Tank in mm Tank in mmCapacity in Tank in mm Tank in mm
Liters Liters
200 700 mm 950 mm 3800 1420 mm 2860 mm
300 700 1250 4000 1700 2200
400 700 1470 4200 1420 3160
500 700 1780 4600 1700 2500
775 850 1800 5300 1700 2800
800 970 1530 6000 1700 3100
1000 970 1800 6100 1900 2530
1200 1050 1850 6900 1900 2830
1500 1050 2100 7600 1900 3130
1700 1230 1950 8000 2200 2800
2000 1230 2200 10,500 2200 3400
2600 1420 2200 12,800 2200 4000
3200 1420 2500 15,000 2200 4630
STAINLESS STEEL MODULAR STORAGE TANK
POLYETHYLENE STORAGE TANK
POLYETHYLENE STORAGE TANK
 Sizing of Suction Tank
To solve for the capacity of the suction tank, use the formula:

Cst = (ADD) 1.03

where:
Cst = Capacity of suction tank in liters
ADD = Average Day Demand in liters / day
1.03 = factor supplied to account for water evaporation

At this step, you can determine the commercial equivalent of

the capacity of tank and/or quantity if you intend to use
prefabricated tanks, such as stainless steel, polyethylene or
fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks.
 Sizing of Break Cistern
To solve for the Volume of the Break Cistern, use the formula:

Vst = (ADD x 1.03) ÷ 1000 liters/mᶾ

where:
Vst = Volume of the break cistern in cubic meters
ADD = Average Day Demand in liters / day
1.03 = factor supplied to account for water evaporation

Once the volume of the Break Cistern is determined the

dimensions can be computed assuming that the depth would
be about 1.00 meter to 3 meters.
Booster Pump
A booster pump is a machine used to increase the pressure of a
fluid.

END SUCTION CENTRIFUGAL PUMP VERTICAL IN-LINE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Sizing the Capacity of a BOOSTER PUMP
 PRELIMINARY SIZING FOR THE CAPACITY OF A BOOSTER PUMP
Step 1. Determine the Rate of Flow (Q).
The Rate of Flow (Q) is equal to the Maximum Hour Demand (MHD)
Q = MHD
Where: MHD = (Average Day Demand) ÷ 3,600 seconds)

Step 2. Calculate the Total Dynamic Head (TDH)

TDH = Static Head + Discharge Pressure Desired + Friction Head

Where:
Static Head = vertical distance from the datum line up to the
topmost fixture in meters
Discharge Pressure Desired = use 207 kPa or 30 psi , convert to
distance.
= 207 kPa ÷ 9.81 kPa/m
= 21.10 meters
Friction Head = ( Total measured length x 1.85 x 1.15 kPa/m) ÷ 9.81 kPa/m
BOOSTER PUMP
 PRELIMINARY SIZING FOR THE CAPACITY OF A BOOSTER PUMP
Step 3. Calculate the Break Horsepower (BHP)*.
*Brake Horsepower (Input Horsepower) – is the energy (actual horsepower)
supplied to the prime mover (motor) of an installed pump.

BHP = (Q x TDH) ÷ (75 x E)

Where:
BHP = Brake Horsepower in horsepower
Q = Rate of Flow in liters per second
TDH = Total Dynamic Head
E = Efficiency of Pump*, use 0.40 or 0.60 for centrifugal pump

* Efficiency of pump is the measurement of pump’s ability to convert brake

horsepower to water horsepower. Water horsepower is the energy transferred by
pump to the water.

Step 4. Validate calculation with available Pump Curve Data

Step 5. Specify and recommend the Booster Pump.

BOOSTER PUMP
Recommend and Specify the Booster Pump

Available Pump motor Horsepower (BHP)

Kilowatt Horsepower Kilowatt Horsepower
0.25 0.34 7.50 10.00
0.37 0.50 11.00 15.00
0.55 0.75 15.00 20.00
0.75 1.00 18.50 25.00
1.10 1.50 22.00 30.00
1.50 2.00 30.00 40.00
2.20 3.00 37.00 50.00
3.00 4.00 45.00 60.00
4.00 5.00
5.50 7.50
 Pressure Tank
A pressure tank is a vessel or container designed to hold gases
or liquids at a pressure higher than atmospheric..
PRESSURE TANK:

Conventional Type
PRESSURE TANK: CONVENTIONAL PRESSURE TANK

Simple Air Cushion Tank – Water log occurs in the

a tank constructed to special pressure tank when air
standards to withstand dissolves into water
pressure. reducing the air volume
and thus reducing the
pressure.
It is usually coated inside with
corrosion resistant treatment
as the water makes direct
contact with the interior.

The air is compressed above

the water.

This type has the tendency to

be water logged.
PRESSURE TANK: CONVENTIONAL PRESSURE TANK

Conventional Pressure Tank

• Made of stainless steel or galvanized iron

• Manually welded
• Up to 276 kPa (40 psi) pressure only
• Requires maintenance
• There is physical contact of water with air and
thus susceptible to water logs.
• There is physical contact of water with metal and
does susceptible to rusting.
• Bigger in size
 PRESSURE TANK: DIAPHRAGM PRESSURE TANK

Elastic Membrane Pressure

Vessel – uses a very strong
rubber “sock” which is
stretched by the water
pressure & then forces the
The butyl rubber
membrane is non-
water out when a faucet is
replaceable opened.
PRESSURE TANK: DIAPHRAGM PRESSURE TANK

Diaphragm Pressure Tank

• Made of Medical Grade Butyl

rubber.
• No physical contact of water
with air and thus no water
logs.
• No physical contact of water
with metal and thus no
rusting.
• Robotic welding
• Up to 862 kPa (125 psi).
• Constant Drawdown Capacity
• Constant air pressure.
• Smaller in size.
PRESSURE TANK: BLADDER PRESSURE TANK

Separated Air Cushion Cylinder

– water is totally confined in an
elastic rubber bag. When
water is pumped the bag
expands, compressing the air in
the cylinder until the pressure
switch reaches its setting &
shuts off the motor. When a
faucet is opened the
compressed air forces the
water out & the pressure drops
until the switch again starts the
motor. The air is never in
contact with the water, so it
cannot be absorbed.

The bladder is replaceable.

PRESSURE TANK: BLADDER PRESSURE TANK

Bladder Pressure Tank

• Made of Medical Grade Butyl rubber.

• No physical contact of water with air
and thus no water logs.
• No physical contact of water with
metal and thus no rusting.
• Robotic welding
• Up to 862 kPa (125 psi).
• Constant Drawdown Capacity
• Constant air pressure.
• Smaller in size.
 Working
Principle of a
Pressure Tank

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 47

Sizing of Pressure Tank
Run Time Method
• Use the formula:
Cpt = (Q x t) ]÷ f
Where:
Cpt = Capacity of pressure tank in liters
Q = Maximum Hour Demand in liter per second

t = Run Time
= use 60 seconds for ½ to ¾ hp booster pump
= use 120 seconds for 1 hp to 2 hp booster pump
= use 180 seconds for 2 hp and up booster pump
f = acceptance factor or drawdown
= use 0.37 for 20 psi cut-in pressure / 40 psi cut-out pressure
= use 0.31 for 30 psi cut-in pressure / 50 psi cut-out pressure
= use 0.27 for 40 psi cut-in pressure / 60 psi cut-out pressure

Danilo V. Ravina New NAMPAP Cebu

Chapter
 207 kPa + 101.43 kPa
= 1-
345 kPa + 101.43 kPa

= 1 – 0.69

= 0.31

Danilo V. Ravina New NAMPAP Cebu

Chapter
Commercially Available Diaphragm pressure Tank
Capacities for Residential Use (Aquaflo)
Commercially Available Diaphragm pressure Tank
Capacities for Large Residential and Light Commercial
Use (Aquaflo)
Commercially Available Diaphragm pressure Tank
Capacities for Commercial Use (Aquaflo)
Pressure Switch
A pressure switch is a form of
switch that closes an
electrical contact when a
certain set fluid pressure has
been reached on its input.

The common set pressure

range (cut-in or minimum
pressure / cut-out or
maximum are:
20 psi / 40 psi
30 psi / 50 psi
40 psi / 60 psi
Pressure Gauge
Pressure gauge is an
instrument for measuring the
condition of a fluid (liquid or
gas) that is specified by the
force that the fluid would
exert, when at rest, on a unit
area, such as pounds per
square inch (psi), bar, or
kilopascal (kPa).

1 Bar = 14.50 psi

1 Bar = 100 kPa
1 kPa = 0.1450 psi
1 psi = 6.89 kPa
Sample: Two Storey Residential House

Objective: To calculate the capacities of the

suction tank, booster pump and pressure tank for
the hydro-pneumatic pressure system of the
building
Sample: Two Storey Residential House
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT : Fixture Load &
Total Demand
• Solving for Fixture Load • Solving for Total Water
Ground Floor Demand
WC: 1 x 3 wsfu = 3 wsfu From Table of Values, the Total Fixture
Lav: 1 x 1 wsfu = 1 wsfu Load of 27 wsfu has an equivalent Total
KS: 1 x 2 wsfu = 2 wsfu Water Demand of 1.40 liters per
HB: 3 x 3 wsfu = 9 wsfu second
Second Floor • Solving for Average Day
WC: 2 x 3 wsfu = 6 wsfu Demand (ADD)
Lav: 2 x 1 wsfu = 2 wsfu
ADD = Total Water Demand x 1800 sec
Sho: 2 x 2 wsfu = 4 wsfu
= 1.40 lps x 1800 seconds
TOTAL FIXTURE LOAD = 27 WSFU
ADD = 2,520 liters
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT: Capacity of
Suction Tank
• Solving for Capacity of • Recommendation &
Suction Tank (Cst) Specification of Suction
Cst = (ADD) 1.03 Tank
= (2,520) 1.03
Cst = 2,595.60 liters Use 1 unit 2,600 liter
capacity stainless steel 304
Vertical round top and
bottom suction tank.
Diameter @ 1.42 m,
Height @ 2.20 m
 SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT: Capacity of Booster Pump

• Solving for Capacity of Where:

Booster Pump (BHP) Static Height = Vertical Distance of
pump setting and of highest fixture
BHP = (Q x TDH) ÷ (75 x E) in meters
Where:
BHP = Break Horsepower of Pump Discharge Pressure Desired = use
Q = Rate of Flow in liters/second 207 kPa (30 psi) and convert to
= MHD = (ADD) ÷ 3,600 seconds meters
TDH = Total Dynamic Head
= Static height + Discharge Pressure Friction Head = [(Total measured
Desired + Friction Head length x 1.85) 1.15 kPa/m] ÷ 9.81
kPa/m
75 = Constant
Factor to account Allowable pressure
E = Efficiency of pump for equivalent loss due to friction
length of fittings per meter
= use 0.40 to 0.60 for centrifugal pump
 SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT: Capacity of Booster Pump

• Solving for MHD

MHD = 2,600 ÷ 3,600
MHD = 0.72 liters/second
Q = MHD = 0.72 lps

• Solving for TDH

Static Height = 5.60 meters
Desired Pressure Desired = 207kPa ÷ 9.81 kPa/m = 21.10 meters
Friction Head = {[(29.30 m + 5.60 m) 1.85]1.15 kPa/m} ÷ 9.81 kPa/m = 7.57 meters
TDH = 5.60 m + 21.10 m + 7.57 m
TDH = 34.27 meters
 SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT: Capacity of
Booster pump
• Solving for BHP
BHP = (Q x TDH) ÷ (75 x E)
= (0.72 x 35) ÷ (75 x 0.60)
= 25.2 ÷ 45
BHP = 0.56 hp

• Recommendation and Specification of Booster Pump

Use 1 unit 0.75 hp Centrifugal Pump
Q @ 0.70 lps
TDH @ 0.75 hp
 SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROJECT: Pressure Tank
• Solving for Capacity of Pressure Tank (Using Run Time)
Cpt =(Q x t) ÷ f
= (0.72 liter/sec. x 60 sec.) ÷ 0.37
= 116.75 liters (Therefore use: 130 liter Pressure Tank)
Where:
Cpt = Capacity of pressure tank in liters
Q = Maximum Hour Demand in liter per second
Q = 0.72 lps
t = Run Time
= use 60 seconds for ½ to ¾ hp booster pump
= use 120 seconds for 1 hp to 2 hp booster pump
= use 180 seconds for 2 hp and up booster pump
f = acceptance factor or drawdown
= use 0.37 for 20 psi cut-in pressure / 40 psi cut-out pressure
= use 0.31 for 30 psi cut-in pressure / 50 psi cut-out pressure
= use 0.27 for 40 psi cut-in pressure / 60 psi cut-out pressure
PLUMBING DESIGN APPLICATION NO. 4: HYDROPNEUMATIC
PRESSURE BOOSTING SYSTEM
END OF PRESENTATION