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003 Cover Story
003 Cover Story
Moreover, reliable and efficient pumps for System Elements & Layout
pressurized systems were not available. The
immediate solution was to use standard pumps to System elements:
lift the water to the tank. From the tank, gravity The booster system is based on several basic
ensured a natural downwards flow and sufficient hydraulic elements that can be combined in
pressure. Despite improved and energy-efficient different ways. Below, the most important
pressure booster technology, many buildings still elements are described briefly about the
have overhead tanks. functionality and role in the booster application
in general.
Overhead tanks allow the users to have both
water pressure and water supply in situations 1) Break tanks or Underground tanks
where there is no electrical power. Overhead
tanks vary greatly in size, but common to them all Break tanks are implemented in boosting systems
is that they feature “water at the ready”, storing in order to supply the system if the mains supply
water for domestic purposes and fire-fighting. becomes insufficient during peak demand, or if it is
unstable. It is also used to ensure that a surge from
The simple construction basically entails a tank, starting and stopping pumps does not affect the
inlet and discharge piping, a float switch, and a mains distribution. Tanks are also implemented
pump. When the water level in the tank drops in series-connected boosting layouts to create
Advantages
Pressure in mains is not utilized A building supply system is normally divided into
risers and branches. In the risers, the geodetic
Space is a scarce resource in modern high rise height has been overcome, and the water is
buildings, making it difficult to have the needed distributed to the different floors. The branches
space allocated for break tanks
distribute water to each tap point. When using
Break tanks must be kept clean and appropriately pressure reduction valves (PRV), the branches are
cleaning should be a scheduled activity often joined into main branches, creating a zone
System Layouts:
Advantages
Low pressure in each zone (no PRVs and less Series-connected systems without intermediate break tanks
pressure-graded pipes needed)
Easy to size because each zone has its own supply Low pressure in each zone (no PRVs and less
tank pressure-graded pipes needed)
Higher initial cost than single-zone systems No space required for tanks
Space required for booster sets and tank on service Less excess boosting (low operation costs)
floors
Disadvantages
Risk of Microbiological growth in tanks
Higher initial cost than single-zone systems
• A: Single-booster system
• B: Zone-divided single booster system
• C: Single-booster system with roof top tank
The Building foot print is 1,600 m2 (40m x 40m)
• D: Series-connected booster system with
Building case intermediate break tanks in zones
The imaginary building case is 80 meters tall, • E: Series-connected booster system without
comprising 19 floors and 5 different hydraulic break tanks
zones as illustrated on the building to the left. The
In this example, layouts with tanks (C and D) are
building footprint is 1,600 m2 (40 m x 40 m).
designed so that the tank capacity equals 4 hours
Each of the five hydraulic zones has different of peak load. This corresponds to approximately
users and thereby different consumption profiles, 60% of the daily water consumption.
However, choosing a zone-divided system, where Generally, major operating issues occur in high
each zone is supplied by its own booster system rise structures since these factors are not taken
will reduce the annual energy consumption into consideration while designing the booster
by approximately 10% and only require systems controls.
approximately 15% larger booster capacity.
To conclude, a properly sized, zone divided booster
Additional benefits like eliminating the need of
system would be more efficient for the operating
intermediate break tank, separation of system
life of a high rise building when compared to
in hydraulic zones etc. could easily make such ipt
other systems discussed in this article.
systems favorable.