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Surge Tank Working and Types - Chemical Engineering World1

Surge tanks are used in hydroelectric power systems to control pressure changes caused by fluctuations in water flow. They work by providing extra water when demand is high to prevent excessive pressure increases, and by absorbing extra water when demand is low to prevent negative pressure drops. There are several types of surge tanks including simple surge tanks, restricted orifice surge tanks, differential surge tanks, and gallery type surge tanks which differ in their designs for controlling water flow and pressure.

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56 views3 pages

Surge Tank Working and Types - Chemical Engineering World1

Surge tanks are used in hydroelectric power systems to control pressure changes caused by fluctuations in water flow. They work by providing extra water when demand is high to prevent excessive pressure increases, and by absorbing extra water when demand is low to prevent negative pressure drops. There are several types of surge tanks including simple surge tanks, restricted orifice surge tanks, differential surge tanks, and gallery type surge tanks which differ in their designs for controlling water flow and pressure.

Uploaded by

Mahmoud Ragab
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Surge Tank Working and Types

chemicalengineeringworld.com

Surge Tank Working and Types

Surge Tank Working and Types

Surge tanks are used to control pressure change in the system due to changes in the water
flow rate. In a small pipe system and even a large pipe system by controlling water flowrate
we can control this problem and only some water hammering noise will come. But, in the
turbine system (Hydroelectricity production unit) we cannot control the water hammering
problem by simply controlling the water flowrate we need to provide a dedicated solution to
this problem. The solution to this problem is nothing but the surge tank.

The Surge tank will provide extra water when demand is very high and will suck water when
demand is very low this is the basic understanding of the surge tank.

How does Surge Tank work?

The full turbine system is shown in the figure. Water is stored in the reservoir mostly Dam.
Then it flows through the pipe and via pen stock goes to the turbine section. The surge tank
is located in between this pipeline. It should be near the power plant. As shown in figure
surge tank should be mounted below the reservoir water level to ensure no air in the
pipeline. Also, it will keep the surge tank full of water. The surge tank should be large
enough so that it won’t overflow. When the demand for water increases at that time
pressure at the valve will increase and cause water hammering sometimes causes pipe
failure. To eliminate this surge tank will provide excess water which will control excessive
pressure. When exactly the opposite situation occurs negative pressure will appear and to
compensate that surge tank will store extra water in it and maintains normal pressure. The
surge tank controls the shock of water so it is also called the Hydraulic shock.

Surge Tank Types

Simple Surge Tank


Restricted orifice surge tanks
Differential surge tank
Gallery type surge tank

Simple Surge Tank

Simple Surge Tank is used when we don’t need preciously designed surge tanks. In this
type, a vertical pipe is connected between the turbine and penstock. When water pressure
increases it will neutralize it. The tank is open to the atmosphere when the head increases
water is directly thrown outside.

Restricted orifice surge tanks

Restricted orifice surge tanks are very useful because it reduces pressure in a short time
compared to the simple surge tank. It is also connected to the pipe near the turbine. It
contains an orifice or throttle at the bottom of the tank which will cause very high friction for
excessive water and which produces very high head. Due to this pressure reduction will take
place very rapidly.

Differential surge tank

Differential surge tank is a combination of both simple and restricted surge tank. It contains
one riser of a small diameter. When water overflows it will pass through the raiser and go to
the surge tank. It also contains an annular port at the bottom to control water flow.

Gallery type surge tank


Gallery type surge tank contains two tanks that activate based on the situation. When
pressure increases water will be absorbed in the upper tank. When the water level reduces
the lower tank will provide extra water.

Reference:- civilknowledges, aboutcivil, civiltoday, civilseek

More :- Chemical Engineering World

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