Comparative Analysis of Sealing Methods in Air Storage Tanks
On this page
Air storage tanks are critical industrial equipment that play an essential role in various fields, especially in gas storage and pressure regulation, where they are indispensable. The sealing method of the air storage tank directly affects its performance and safety, making the choice of the appropriate sealing method particularly important. The following will provide a detailed introduction to the three common sealing methods of air storage tanks, their characteristics, and application scenarios.
Diaphragm-sealed Air Storage Tanks
Diaphragm-sealed air storage tanks are essential for gas storage and pressure regulation. They use a sealing diaphragm connected between a spherical piston and the tank wall to maintain a sealed space, adjusting with piston movement. This design is ideal for applications requiring frequent pressure adjustments, such as pneumatic systems and industrial automation.
1. Structural Features
The diaphragm-sealed air storage tank resembles a cylindrical oil tank, with a spherical piston installed inside. The piston is surrounded by a sealing diaphragm, one end of which is connected to the inner wall of the tank, and the other end is connected to the piston, forming a sealed space. The piston's up and down movement causes the sealing diaphragm to roll up and down, maintaining a sealed state.
2. Advantages
Excellent sealing performance: The movement of the piston combined with the rolling of the diaphragm ensures effective sealing of the gas inside the tank.
Structural stability: To prevent lateral deformation of the diaphragm, a sleeve-type guard made of spiral corrugated plates is installed around the top of the piston. The tank is also equipped with a balancing device that can automatically correct the tilt of the piston, ensuring system stability.
Easy maintenance: The structural design makes it easy to replace and maintain the sealing diaphragm. Application Scenarios: Widely used in situations that require frequent adjustments to internal pressure, such as pneumatic systems and industrial automation equipment.
Liquid-sealed Air Storage Tanks
Liquid-sealed air storage tanks are designed for high-pressure environments. They feature a polygonal cross-section with oil-filled channels around the piston to create an effective seal. The robust structure, combined with the oil sealing mechanism, makes them suitable for natural gas storage, chemical installations, and other high-strength gas-tight applications.
1. Structural Features
The cylindrical body and piston of the liquid-sealed air storage tank have a regular polygonal cross-section, with I-shaped columns at the corners. The tank's wall plates, top plates, and piston bottom plates are made of steel plates with a thickness of 5 to 6 millimeters, forming a grooved structure with high strength and rigidity. The piston top is arranged with a radial truss, and guide wheels are installed, which slide along the columns to ensure the piston's smooth lifting and lowering.
2. Advantages
Structural strength: Steel components and polygonal design provide excellent bending strength and rigidity.
Good sealing performance: The oil groove and sliding board around the piston form a sealing mechanism, with the oil groove filled with mineral oil to effectively seal the gas under the piston.
Convenient operation: The tank has a circular corridor on the outside, facilitating operation and maintenance. Application Scenarios: Suitable for high-pressure environments, such as natural gas storage, chemical equipment, and industrial equipment that requires high-strength gas tightness.
Grease-sealed Air Storage Tanks
Grease-sealed air storage tanks are designed for long-term, stable operation. They have a circular cross-section with a spherical piston and use grease-injected sealing rings between the piston and the tank wall. This method ensures high-efficiency sealing and reduced friction, making these tanks ideal for large air compressor stations, oil and gas pipelines, and industrial systems requiring consistent, reliable sealing.
1. Structural Features
The cross-section of the cylindrical body of the grease-sealed air storage tank is circular, with I-shaped steel columns outside to enhance structural rigidity. A circular corridor is set along the full height for easy operation and maintenance. The piston is spherical, with a truss and guide wheels installed on the top, which slide along the inner wall of the cylinder to ensure the piston's smooth lifting and lowering and prevent tilting.
2. Advantages
Efficient sealing: The sealing mechanism consists of a seal made of cotton cloth and rubber layers pressed together, and a tightening device. Grease is injected between the seal and the tank wall plate to enhance sealing performance and reduce friction.
Strong durability: The use of grease reduces wear and extends the service life of the equipment.
Good stability: The design of the truss and guide wheels ensures smooth operation of the piston, which is not prone to tilting. Application Scenarios: Widely used in systems that require long-term stable operation, such as large air compressor stations, oil and natural gas pipeline projects, and industrial air storage systems that require high sealing performance.
These three sealing methods each have their own characteristics and are suitable for different industrial environments and application needs. Diaphragm-sealed air storage tanks are suitable for occasions that require frequent pressure adjustments, liquid-sealed air storage tanks are suitable for high-pressure and high-strength environments, and grease-sealed air storage tanks perform well in systems that require long-term stable operation. By choosing the appropriate sealing method, the work efficiency and safety of the air storage tank can be significantly improved, providing reliable protection for industrial production.
