Water tank

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Water tanks used in Municipal Water Treatment Plant Houston Texas.
Water tanks used in Municipal Water Treatment Plant Houston Texas.

Water tanks are liquid storage containers, these tanks are usually storing water for human consumption. The need for water tanks is as old as civilized man. Water tanks provide for the storage of drinking water potable, irrigation agriculture, fire suppression, agricultural farming and livestock, chemical manufacturing, food preparation and many other applications...

Various materials are used for constructing water tanks: plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, fiberglass, concrete, steel (welded or bolted, carbon or stainless). Earthen ponds designed for water storage are also often referred to as tanks.

Materials used in the manufacture of these water tanks: Chemical contact tanks of FDA and NSF polyethylene construction, allows retention time for water and chemicals to be in contact and mix. Ground water tank is made of lined carbon steel, it may receive water from a water well or from surface water allowing a large volume of water to be placed in inventory and used during peak demand cycles. Elevated Water Tanks by elevating the water tank, the increased elevation creates a distribution pressure at the tank outlet of 1 psi per 2.31 feet of elevation, thus a tank elevated to 70 feet creates about 30 psi of discharge pressure, 30 psi is sufficient for most house hold requirements.

The construction of water tanks begins with application parameters, the type of material used and the design of the tank is dictated by these variables:

1. Location of the water tank (indoors, outdoors, above ground or underground)

2. Volume of water tank will need to hold

3. What the water will be used for.

4. Temperature of area where water will be stored, concern for freezing.

5. Pressure required to deliver water

6. How is the water to be delivered to the water tank.

7. Wind and Earthquake design considerations allow water tanks to survive seismic and high wind events.

An old-fashioned water tank near Twentynine Palms, California
An old-fashioned water tank near Twentynine Palms, California
Stone water tank in the stronghold of Felsenburg Neurathen, Saxony, Germany
Stone water tank in the stronghold of Felsenburg Neurathen, Saxony, Germany

Throughout history, wood, ceramic and stone have been used as water tanks. These were all naturally occurring and manmade and some tanks are still in service.

The Indus Valley Civilization (3000–1500 BC) made use of granaries and water tanks.[1] Medieval castles needed water tanks for the defenders to withstand a siege.[2] A wooden water tank found at the Año Nuevo State Reserve (California) was restored to functionality after being found completely overgrown with ivy. It had been built in 1884.[3]

Vertical cylindrical dome top tanks may hold from fifty gallons to several million gallons. Horizontal cylindrical tanks are typically used for transport; this low-profile transport storage creates a low center of gravity helping to maintain equilibrium for the transport vehicle, trailer or truck. Hydro-pneumatic tanks are typically horizontal pressurized storage tanks. Pressurizing this reservoir of water creates a surge free delivery of stored water into the distribution system.

There are many custom configurations that include various rectangular cube shaped tanks, cone bottom and special shapes for specific design requirements.

A functional water tank/container should do no harm to the water. Water is susceptible to a number of ambient negative influences, including bacteria, viruses, algae, changes in pH, and accumulation of minerals. Correctly designed water tank systems work to mitigate these negative effects.

Articles and specifications for Water Tank applications and design considerations: American Water Works Association The AWWA is a reservoir of water tank knowledge; the association provides specifications for a variety of water storage tank applications as well as design. The AWWA's site provides scientific resources with which the reader will be able to develop an informed perspective on which to make decisions regarding their water tank requirements.

NSF International writes standards, inspects and confirms that manufactured products that come into contact with air, food, consumer goods and water are suitable for human consumption.

The Food and Drug Administration approves materials for use in storing water and food materials. Consult the Code of Federal Register for more details on water tanks.

[edit] Other uses

Space flight simulator use elaborate water tanks for the simulation of weightlessness. Water tanks fabricated to resemble space craft interiors are suspended in large swimming pool like environments, giving astronauts the feeling approximating zero gravity.

The Airline industry uses elaborate water tanks to simulate emergency water landings and the performance of aircraft upon entry to the water.

Architecture Dampening of highrise building movement by using a highly placed volume water tank, the volume of water creates an inertia movement opposite to the building movement, slowing the building's movement, sway.

[edit] See also

Water Portal

[edit] External links

  • American Water Works Association Produces and evolves water tank specifications. These AWWA specifications are established precedents utilized world wide by tank designers for water tank applications.
  • FDA Official Regulations These specifications are both government rules and guidelines for water tank design and suggestions for water installations. This information is extracted from over 80,000 pages of the Code of Federal Register - Specifically CFR Title 21 Part 129. a US Government document.
  • National Safety Foundation NSF is a non-profit organization that approves water tank products for use in applications involving interface and utilization with humanity.
  • Additional Water Tank Pictures [4]