Aeroponics accumulator tank charge

[namusae]

Hello. I have a question in regard to charging an accumulator tank. Some say never to use anything other than nitrogen to top it off because oxygen in the air and humidity condense and corrode metal, causing a fatal damage to the tank. But when I did some research on that matter, it looked this is true when the tank is being used for hydraulic related jobs. For the purpose of aeroponics, would the regular pressurized air from a compressor be safe to use to pressurize the tank?

Thanks.

 

[redi jedi]

Yes

 

[namusae]

Yes

Thank you Jedi.

 

[redi jedi]

Thank you Jedi.

Typically the accumulators used in aero are really just expansion tanks rated to 150 psi. A real hydraulic accumulator,1500 or more so corrosion is more of a concern.

 

[JacksonStorm]

Hi @namusae what kind of air pump are you using?
I've been struggling to find something suitable - but to answer your question, most tanks should be fine... I'm using Co2 for the exact reason but its unlikely you're using enough pressure to make it a problem.

 

[namusae]

Hi @namusae what kind of air pump are you using?
I've been struggling to find something suitable - but to answer your question, most tanks should be fine... I'm using Co2 for the exact reason but its unlikely you're using enough pressure to make it a problem.

Hi Jackson. I use the ordinary air compressor used for filling up car tires. Even manual hand or pedal pumps used for bicycle tires can be used.. but I only need about 80psi; any higher may need something more robust which I am not really familiar with yet

 

[namusae]

Typically the accumulators used in aero are really just expansion tanks rated to 150 psi. A real hydraulic accumulator,1500 or more so corrosion is more of a concern.

Thank you Jedi. I just learned that commercial aeroponics often do require pressures higher than 1500psi for the main tank, but since the pressure is high only upon recharging and is always dropping with uses until the recharge, the tank would not experience drastical temperature change.. hence is generally safe with non inert air.. As you mentioned, however, some forms of dehumidifiers before the tank are recommended to reduce the risk of corrosion for non-SUS/non-coated type tanks. Thank you for that valuable information

 

[redi jedi]

Thank you Jedi. I just learned that commercial aeroponics often do require pressures higher than 1500psi for the main tank, but since the pressure is high only upon recharging and is always dropping with uses until the recharge, the tank would not experience drastical temperature change.. hence is generally safe with non inert air.. As you mentioned, however, some forms of dehumidifiers before the tank are recommended to reduce the risk of corrosion for non-SUS/non-coated type tanks. Thank you for that valuable information

Im no hpa expert but Ive never heard of anyone using that much psi...in cannabis applications anyways.

Im curious what specific accumulators they would use in commercial hpa. Fert solution and metal is a no no...

 

[namusae]

I am also familiarizing myself with aeroponics. This person who recently told me this no longer runs one, but he did it for a large scale commercial run back in 1990s and was happy with it for growing root vegetables like carrots and potato tubers. As for the 1500 psi tank, that is what I heard from him. Interstingly, he wasn't familiar with 100 psi aeroponics, and, when I told him about my 80 psi setup, he seemed to be intrigued by it. I don't recall him saying anything about pressures being low or high though. I am guessing it might have something to do with scalability in practice rather than anything else.. I will ask him about the tank and nutrition on my next visit.

 

[dstroy]

I am also familiarizing myself with aeroponics. This person who recently told me this no longer runs one, but he did it for a large scale commercial run back in 1990s and was happy with it for growing root vegetables like carrots and potato tubers. As for the 1500 psi tank, that is what I heard from him. Interstingly, he wasn't familiar with 100 psi aeroponics, and, when I told him about my 80 psi setup, he seemed to be intrigued by it. I don't recall him saying anything about pressures being low or high though. I am guessing it might have something to do with scalability in practice rather than anything else.. I will ask him about the tank and nutrition on my next visit.

lots of commercial misting systems run at that pressure

 

[redi jedi]

I am also familiarizing myself with aeroponics. This person who recently told me this no longer runs one, but he did it for a large scale commercial run back in 1990s and was happy with it for growing root vegetables like carrots and potato tubers. As for the 1500 psi tank, that is what I heard from him. Interstingly, he wasn't familiar with 100 psi aeroponics, and, when I told him about my 80 psi setup, he seemed to be intrigued by it. I don't recall him saying anything about pressures being low or high though. I am guessing it might have something to do with scalability in practice rather than anything else.. I will ask him about the tank and nutrition on my next visit.

Thats aero for you...its really more about building than growing

 

[JacksonStorm]

Hi @Nameuse and @redi jedi ,

I wonder what PSI he's getting at the nozzle?
I'm also looking into higher pressure system but using a regulator to get it down to about 30psi... ideally hardly ever filling the tank.

When you say you're using a regular pump for a car or hand pump... how often are you pumping???
That sounds like you'd need to be doing it all the time.

 

[redi jedi]

Hi @Nameuse and @redi jedi ,

I wonder what PSI he's getting at the nozzle?
I'm also looking into higher pressure system but using a regulator to get it down to about 30psi... ideally hardly ever filling the tank.

When you say you're using a regular pump for a car or hand pump... how often are you pumping???
That sounds like you'd need to be doing it all the time.

Hes charging the bladder in the accumulator with a standard compressor, a hand pump could also work.

 

[JacksonStorm]

Hes charging the bladder in the accumulator with a standard compressor, a hand pump could also work.

Ok thanks.

I just assumed that would need to be done almost hourly to be successful... I'll need to look into how much pressure is dropped over time.

Is it daily pumping?

 

[redi jedi]

Ok thanks.

I just assumed that would need to be done almost hourly to be successful... I'll need to look into how much pressure is dropped over time.

Is it daily pumping?

Generally you only charge the bladder once and the pump only runs to refill the accumulator. How often the pump runs depends on the volume of the accumulator, how many nozzles, misting time....etc

 

[JacksonStorm]

Ah - OK - I totally missed what you were doing. Sorry.
I thought you were doing more of a low-pressure atomizer approach where there is no pressure on the water and just higher pressure air...

That's what I'm looking at doing and still in search for a good air pump/compressor to help ensure pressure in my "Air accumulator" tank.
You're running a water compressor so it's a bit different.

in hindsight, it may have been good to go with high-pressure water; the pumps are much quieter!

 

[Atomizer]

The type of aero you are thinking of uses siphon fed air atomising nozzles. An air compressor tank, technically a receiver, contains only compressed air. An accumulator contains compressed air and water which are separated by a bladder or diaphragm. Water is not compressible, when you pump water into an accumulator it compresses the air on the other side of the bladder/diaphragm. You can buy silent air compressors which are about as loud as a domestic refrigerator, the only downside is the price.

 

[redi jedi]

The type of aero you are thinking of uses siphon fed air atomising nozzles. An air compressor tank, technically a receiver, contains only compressed air. An accumulator contains compressed air and water which are separated by a bladder or diaphragm. Water is not compressible, when you pump water into an accumulator it compresses the air on the other side of the bladder/diaphragm. You can buy silent air compressors which are about as loud as a domestic refrigerator, the only downside is the price.

A silent compressor that can make over 1000 psi? Where would I find such a unicorn?

 

[Atomizer]

High pressure aero requires a water pressure of no more than 100psi, air atomising nozzles no more than 40psi air pressure.