Evgeny Sedov
When hands grow from the right place, life is more fun :)
Mar 29 2017
Content
As an alternative to solid fuel boilers and heaters for autonomous heating, you can buy a gas tank for a private house, which is a vessel with liquefied gas. Reviews about such a unit are positive, but they use it for private and suburban households.
What is a gas tank
In fact, this is a gas tank, which is necessary for heating rooms of various sizes. However, the functions of the gas tank are not limited to this; in addition, it is always hot water and electricity generation in the house. If the owner of a summer house or a private house acquires a gas tank, he is able to immediately solve a number of problems that are relevant to him. Capacitive gas is cheap, and its production provides heat for rooms up to 20 square meters. Autonomous turnkey gasification of a private house is considered a particularly popular service.
Gas tank device
The container filled with gas has different sizes, due to the individual needs of consumers. The gas tank device can be filled with propane, butane or methane, which is determined by the pricing policy. Having used up the gas tank during the heating season, it needs to be additionally refueled, so the cylinder itself is intended for repeated use.
As for the design features, the gas tank itself for the home can be made of steel and reinforced concrete with a variable or constant volume. In the first case, we are talking about the presence of a vertical cylinder and water and a bell located in the lower part. However, in the modern world they come to the conclusion that such models are obsolete and become uncompetitive. In practice, the use of structures with a constant volume is welcomed.
The principle of operation of the gas tank
Before heating a cottage or a residential cottage, it is recommended to understand the principle by which gas tanks work for a country house. It is important to ensure not only the serviceability and correct installation of the structure itself, but also its safe functionality, according to the technical documentation. Installing a gas tank is a job that should be done by specialists in their field, and not by a private individual.
The basic principle of operation of the gas tank is as follows: after evaporation, the propane-butane fraction enters the reactor, where it receives sufficient pressure for further redistribution along the gas pipeline junction to the consumer. If you correctly calculate the area and buy a suitable gas tank, its contents should be enough for a year of regular heating of residential premises without additional refueling.
Requirements for installing a gas tank
Out of ignorance, you can perceive gas tanks for a private house as a classic version of a gas storage. In reality, this is a complex system necessary for converting gas into fuel required for the operation of household appliances, space heating. When installing such an alternative to a double-circuit boiler, the following rules and concepts should be considered:
- the distance from the gas tank to the residential building is at least 10 m, to the buried foundation - at least 2 m;
- the area for the installation of the structure must be flat;
- after filling the reservoir, it is forbidden to concrete, plant the site;
- location on the site, the distance to the fence is not standardized;
- installation of a gas tank requires a permit and a permit for underground work.
- installation of the gas tank is carried out by knowledgeable specialists;
- calculation of the volume of the tank, based on the dimensions of the heated area.
Pros and cons of a gas tank
This is a significant step that the homeowner should carefully consider, consult with knowledgeable people. If an autonomous gas supply to a private house is chosen, it is required to determine the advantages and disadvantages of operating such modern equipment. Studying the pros and cons of a gas tank, it is recommended to start with positive aspects that are relevant to all potential buyers. The main advantages are the following:
- provision of electricity, heat and hot water;
- a mobile station that is serviceable without problems;
- long service life;
- turnkey gas tank on self-sufficiency in 2-3 years;
- human safety;
- the possibility of obtaining a loan or installment plan from the manufacturer;
- delivery, quality assurance from the manufacturer.
Before installing a gas tank of one of the modifications, you need to additionally familiarize yourself with the main disadvantages of such an undertaking. This:
- the high cost of a gas tank, an additional fee for the installation of the structure;
- difficulties in finding a respectable and professional specialist for installation and installation;
- the risk of installation beyond the technical documentation of a previously approved project.
Ground gas holder
Due to the harsh climate (natural features of the soil, land), ground gas tank models have become especially popular, which prevail in a large assortment on the domestic market. Even equipment that was in operation, but suitable for further work as intended, is put up for sale. Photos of such models can be found on thematic sites of the network. Below are a few gas tanks that are especially in demand among the masses. These are the following products of Faskhimmash:
- model name - gas holders FAS 4.6 (Russia);
- price - 100,000 rubles;
- characteristics - tank volume 4.6 m3, 30 years service life, epoxy coating, German technology, original components;
- pluses - a modern model for all occasions at the best price;
- cons - the cost of equipment is not available to everyone for domestic needs.
Here is a competing party, whose products are no less in demand in the domestic market:
- model name - Sity-Gas 4850 (Bulgaria);
- price - 330,000 rubles;
- characteristics - 4850 l, horizontal version, operating temperature varies from -40 to + 40ºС, corrosion protection;
- pluses - long service life, warranty from the manufacturer, proper operation - up to 20 years.
- cons - high price.
- model name - Deltagaz 2700 (Czech project);
- price - 300,000 rubles;
- characteristics - horizontal design, above-ground and underground installation is possible, volume - 2700 l, permissible temperature regime - from -20 to + 40º С;
- pluses - a modern model, high-quality material, corrosion protection, service life - up to 30 years;
- cons - high price with installation.
Mini gas holders
To reduce the service area of such an installation, mini-gas tanks were specially developed, which have slightly different dimensions, but are in no way inferior to their “competitors” in terms of functionality, serviceability, and service life. Such a structure is appropriate for small household plots. You can buy a gas tank for a summer residence inexpensively, and if necessary, sell it - the demand does not decrease. Here is a list of favorites:
- model name - CITI GAS 2700 (Bulgaria);
- price - 150,000-220,000 rubles;
- characteristics - horizontal design, operating temperature varies from -40 to +40ºС, epoxy layer, protection against metal damage;
- pluses - compact, convenient in everyday use, ideal for small personal plots of a private house;
- cons - none.
Here is the second modern gas tank for a compact house, no less efficient, reliable and in demand among the masses:
- model name - GT7 RPG-6.5 (Russia);
- price - 200,000 rubles;
- characteristics - 6.5 cubic meters, tank material - steel, quality assurance - up to 30 years;
- pluses - remote location, main networks, the presence of a pressure regulator, compact dimensions;
- cons - none.
The third model of mini-gas tanks belongs to the same brand, but has distinctive parameters:
- model name - GT7 RPG-3 (Russia);
- price - 145,000 rubles;
- characteristics - volume - 3 cubes, vessel material - steel, quality assurance from the manufacturer, service life - up to 30 years;
- pluses - reliable and high-quality products for a private house from a domestic manufacturer, compact dimensions;
- cons - high price.
Vertical gas holders
Such structures are more often designed for underground installation, so you will additionally have to order earthworks. Vertical gas tanks are more compact, which is especially important in private houses with a small adjacent territory. Gas for refueling is taken imported, so the design should be accessible, but it is advisable to choose a security object. Here are the best gas tanks in a given design:
- model name - Chemet 5 (Poland);
- price - 350,000-430,000 rubles;
- characteristics - different tank capacity, steel vessel, volume - 4850 l, underground, horizontal version;
- pluses - long-term operation even if melt and waste water enters the ground, innovative technologies, quality assurance;
- cons - high price.
Here is another gas tank for private households, which is recommended to pay special attention to if it is necessary to heat a cottage, cottage:
- model name - Antonio Merloni 2250 (Italy);
- price - 120,000 rubles (the price does not include installation);
- characteristics - 2250 liters, vertical design for underground installation, the presence of a protective bag made of polymeric materials, protection against static voltage and groundwater;
- pluses - a reliable replacement of the boiler, which will not cost so much, customers are pleased with the duration of operation.
- cons - none.
- model name - AvtonomGaz (Russia);
- price - up to 150,000 rubles;
- characteristics - the presence of a protective layer of the tank, a huge range of models in the catalogs, several parameters of the tank volume;
- pluses - an excellent gas tank for domestic needs at an affordable price from a domestic manufacturer;
- there are no cons.
Horizontal gas holders
Such a progressive model can replace a gas boiler, it turns out cheaper and more profitable. The heat in the room is maintained, and fuel consumption is minimal. Horizontal gas tanks are produced by domestic and foreign companies, if you wish, you can buy products that you like and are suitable in terms of parameters in the online store. It is desirable to pay attention to such gas tanks for a house or private household:
- model name - VPS 4850;
- price - 300,000 rubles;
- characteristics - use of sheet steel, tank with a volume of 4850 l, the presence of an epoxy protective layer in the tank, the horizontal position of the tank, underground installation;
- pluses - the service life reaches 30 years, metal protection from destruction, temperature conditions - from -40 to + 40ºС;
- cons - the high cost of a gas tank, installation for a private house.
A competitor is such a gas tank for the home:
- model name - Fas 6.5 (Russia);
- price - 100,000 rubles;
- characteristics - the tank has a two-component polymer coating, horizontal type, underground installation, a tank of 6.5 cubic meters;
- pluses - high-quality products of a domestic manufacturer, ideal for installation on the territory of a private house;
- cons - none.
Another worthy option for a private house:
- name - Antonio Merloni 100 (Italy);
- price - 100,000 rubles;
- characteristics - capacity for 100 cubic meters, protective epoxy layer of the tank, underground installation;
- pluses - an affordable budget option for a private house;
- cons - none.
How to choose a gas tank for a private house
The choice is not easy, especially since the price of the issue bites. Before ordering a gas tank, it is recommended to contact the specialists and agree on the main criteria for the upcoming purchase. This is important, otherwise a lot of trouble and unnecessary waste of nerves and free time arise with the return of products. It is important to agree with the tank installers what is needed, which catalog item to give preference to. It is important to know the following selection conditions:
- Determine the area of a private house and calculate the required volume of gas tanks for the entire heating season.
- Conditionally outline the territory of a private house, where the specified structure will be installed in the future.
- To install, use the help of professionals, otherwise, in inept hands, a private house will “take off into the air”.
Selection and calculation of a gas tank for a country house is a serious task, the solution of which determines not only the level of comfort during installation and operation, but also the safety of the residents of the gasified house and their neighbors. Plants for the production of gas tanks are located in countries such as Russia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy and some other countries. However, these gas tanks are not always adapted to Russian operating conditions and often do not meet safety requirements. Consider the main types of gas holders, their disadvantages and advantages.
Selecting the type of gas tank
Ground and underground gas tanks
According to the place of installation, gas tanks for a private house are divided into underground and ground.
The advantages of underground gas tanks compared to aboveground ones include:
- low fire and explosion hazard of the system;
- reduction of the alienated area of the site for the gas tank;
- operability of the autonomous gas supply system in the cold season without the use of heating systems, pumps and evaporation plants.
The disadvantages of the underground installation of a gas tank include:
- a greater amount of work in the organization of an autonomous gas supply system;
- increased requirements for anti-corrosion coating of gas tanks;
- more complex maintenance of gas tanks, replacement and repair of shut-off and safety valves.
Above ground gas holders are widely used in European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, etc.). This is due to the favorable climatic conditions in which they operate: for example, the outdoor temperature in the Czech Republic does not fall below minus 10°C, which allows it to be used as a heat source.
At the same time, in most climatic zones of Russia, the temperature of a cold day reaches minus 30°C, which does not allow providing excess gas pressure in ground tanks even when they are filled with pure propane, and therefore this type of gas tanks can only be used for temporary or seasonal gas supply. That is why LPG tanks for underground installation are most widely used in our country. When the soil freezes in winter, most of the underground gas tank is in the zone of positive temperatures, which ensures the transition of LPG from the liquid phase to the vapor phase through natural regasification. With a relatively low power of gas-using equipment, such an evaporation rate may be sufficient (for example, when gasifying private houses). In addition, more stringent requirements are imposed on the installation site of ground-based gas tanks.
Vertical and horizontal gas holders
They are distinguished by design vertical and horizontal gas holders. The disadvantages of vertical gas holders include a small evaporation surface area, so it is better not to use them in the Russian climate. In addition, the design of such gas containers is a kind of thermos and virtually eliminates the heating of the liquid phase of the gas by the heat of the earth. In vertical gas holders, the liquid phase is heated by electricity, which significantly increases the cost of heating a house.
Horizontal LPG tanks are devoid of these disadvantages, so if you are going to buy a gas tank with installation, you should choose this type of vessel.
Choice of gas tank volume
Economic expediency
On the Russian market there are gas tanks of various sizes: 1000, 1650, 2000, 4850, 6400 and 9200 liters. Based on economic feasibility, it is better to choose a gas tank with a volume of at least 4850 liters, because with a commensurate cost of installation and maintenance, problems may arise with refueling smaller gas tanks.
For example, the cost of an autonomous gas supply system based on gas tanks of 2700 and 4850 liters is almost the same. At the same time, the useful volume of the first tank is 2295 liters, and taking into account the reserve balance of 20-25%, it will be necessary to order only 1600-1700 liters of gas. The cost of delivering a liter of gas at such a volume increases and is shifted to its price, and as a result, filling small containers is unprofitable for either the gas supplier or the system owner.
Choice by area of the house
The table below provides data on the estimated frequency of refueling gas tanks based on the heated area of \u200b\u200bthe house, obtained using a gas consumption calculator. The calculation was made for houses made of porous bricks 380 mm insulated with polystyrene foam 100 mm.
| House area, m² | Number of floors | Gas consumption per year, l | Periodicity of gas tank refueling, months | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4850 l | 6400 l | 9200 l | |||
| 100 | 1 | 2900 | 17 | 22 | 32 |
| 150 | 2 | 4500 | 11 | 15 | 21 |
| 200 | 2 | 5800 | 9 | 11 | 16 |
| 300 | 2 | 8300 | 6 | 8 | 11 |
Which gas tank to choose?
For heating a house of 100 sq. m or 150 sq. m, it is better to choose a gas tank for 5 cubic meters (more precisely, a volume of 4850 liters), for a house of 200 sq. m - 6400 l, 300 sq. m - 9200 l. You can choose a tank and a smaller volume, but then it will need to be filled more often.
Definitely, the gas tank must be horizontal, installed underground, have high branch pipes or a neck.
How not to make a mistake
Official website of the Chemet dealer in Russia
Heating with natural gas is considered one of the most popular options for a private home. The same energy carrier can be used for heating water, cooking. But not every village or holiday village has the ability to connect to a centralized gas supply. The best option is to install a special storage facility for gas, from which it will be supplied to the building. This storage is called a "gas holder" and can be used for a private house and a summer residence.
The principle of operation of the gas tank
Owners of a dacha or country house who have chosen gas supply using a gas tank should be aware that it is not just a tank, but a high-tech installation in which gas is not only stored, but also goes through several stages in processing.
The principle of operation resembles the operation of tanks with the help of which condensed steam is collected. The main steps of the workflow are as follows:
- High-pressure gas (up to 1.8 MPa) is pumped into the gas storage for a country house.
- When heated, liquefied fuel turns into a gaseous state.
- The reactor creates a pressure suitable for the flow of gas into the supply line of the heating system.
Most often, it is recommended to install a gas tank in a country house or in a private house located at a distance from the centralized heat and gas supply. Tanks are available in different sizes, which allows serving buildings of different sizes - from several tens to hundreds of square meters.
The maximum area of the house that a commercially available gas tank can provide with heat is 5000 sq. m. Such an installation is enough, for example, for a holiday home of quite respectable size. And for smaller residential buildings, finding a gas storage is not a problem.
Pros and cons of using
The use of a gas tank for autonomous heating provides the owner of suburban housing with the following advantages:
- allows you to enjoy the main benefits of civilization even at a great distance from settlements - heating and water heating;
- acceptable cost of heating;
- environmental friendliness - no emissions of harmful substances characteristic of solid fuel and liquid fuel heating;
- safety - observing the requirements of regulatory documents and rules when installing a gas tank in a private house, the risk of spontaneous combustion during operation is reduced to zero.
Maintenance of the gas tank and pipelines does not require large expenses, the operational life of the installation exceeds 20 years. So buying and installing a gas tank is a worthwhile investment.
Heating with liquefied gas is a good choice if there is no main gas pipeline
With all the advantages, there are disadvantages of the gas tank. The owner of the house should also be aware of them. The disadvantages include:
- The serious cost of equipment, which will have to spend at least 100 thousand rubles. There is an opportunity to save money - to buy a used unit, but there is a risk of buying a tank with an almost spent resource, and this is the likelihood of a gas leak and a serious repair, which can result in a considerable amount.
- When filling the gas tank with gas, a solid amount is required at a time. The desire to save money leads to the purchase of fuel from unverified suppliers, whose gas quality is either not controlled at all or is controlled very rarely.
- Refueling with low-quality gas in winter leads to equipment freezing. The situation is unpleasant, but solvable - heating of the gas tank gearbox is necessary. But, during problems, the heating system may defrost. So it is better to buy liquefied gas only from those suppliers that you have confidence in.
The cons also include the constant increase in energy prices, which makes one wonder whether a gas tank is profitable in a private house or whether other types of heat supply should be preferred. On the other hand, heating with gas is still the most cost-effective. The choice - gas tank or electricity - is most often made in favor of the first option.
Classification and types
To choose a suitable gas tank for your home or summer cottage, you should know what types exist, what are their advantages and disadvantages. Storage facilities for liquefied gas are usually classified according to three main criteria: by installation method (underground and aboveground type), mobility (stationary and mobile) and material. Let's talk about these moments and some other characteristics further.
Design
By design, gas tanks can be horizontal and vertical. Vertical ones take up less space, but the disadvantage of this option is the small evaporation surface area.
Because of this, a vertical gas tank for a private house is not used in the northern regions of our country - too little performance at low temperatures. To increase it, it is necessary to heat the liquefied gas with electricity, which increases the cost of maintaining the heating system, and also leads to the dependence of heating on the availability of electricity. Power grids in the northern regions cannot boast of stable operation, so in these areas it is better to choose horizontal models.
Horizontal installations require a larger area for installation, but they do not have performance problems, therefore they are used more often than vertical ones. The evaporation area in such gas tanks is much larger, the productivity (with equal volume) too. The operation of such equipment is practically not affected by the ambient temperature - especially if you choose installations with a high neck.
Installation method
According to the location on the territory of the site, gas tanks can be underground and aboveground. The advantages of installations that are installed below the surface of the earth include:
- minimal fire hazard;
- reducing the area occupied by the installation;
- no need for heating systems and pumps.
The disadvantages of underground installations are an increase in the volume of work for their installation (it is necessary to dig a pit) and capital costs - for ground gas tanks for a country house, prices are much lower. Another disadvantage is more complex maintenance.
Installation of a ground type gas tank does not cause difficulties - only a flat area is needed
If the winters in the region are mild, with slight and short frosts, the terrestrial option is quite suitable. But horizontal or vertical - choose according to needs (by performance).
For a significant part of the territory of Russia with winter temperatures down to –30°C and below, underground-type installations are suitable. If desired, you can find ground ones with factory insulation, capable of operating at such low temperatures. But their cost is much higher - precisely due to insulation. In this situation, it is necessary to compare the costs of installing an underground storage (pit + slab) and only then choose.
If you decide to install a ground gas tank, please note that the tank is large, usually painted in a bright color. It will definitely not serve as a decoration of the landscape. This consideration must also be taken into account.
Mobile storage
One of the options for a ground gas tank is a mobile installation or a gas tank on a trailer. The average volume of such a container is about 600 liters - quite enough for a summer residence. It can also be used for a small private house in the following situations:
You can also buy or make a mobile gas tank with your own hands for emergency or temporary gas supply. Its feature is the need for a heating system and a relatively low (compared to tanks) cost. Average prices for mobile gas tanks for a country house start at 100 thousand rubles. A used device can be bought cheaper, but it is not as safe to use it. Making a mobile storage independently requires a certain level of knowledge and experience from the contractor.
Production material
Gas holders are made for servicing summer cottages and private houses, mainly from steel. The use of plastic is recommended only when installing this tank at a great distance (at least 50 m) from a residential building. Nevertheless, you can often hear about plastic gas tanks. Usually this refers to a steel container with a polymer coating. This is the optimal solution. The strength of steel (with its proper quality) is beyond doubt, but steel rusts and collapses, and the protective polymer shell prevents this process. In terms of durability, polymer-coated steel gas tanks are ideal.
As a material for the container, special steels are selected that are resistant to corrosion. Their cost is higher, but the additional costs are paid off by the high quality of the coating, extended service life, reliability and safety of use. In addition, the use of stainless steel for the manufacture of a gas tank increases the period between surveys (for some models - up to 35 years) and the replacement of protective magnesium anodes. These services are paid, so that stainless steel products can save on operating costs.
Choice of gas tank volume
When choosing the dimensions of the installation, you should know that the minimum volume of a serial gas tank is 1000 liters. It is designed for the needs of a private house with an area of 40–50 m² with brick walls. For a similar building with an area of 100 m², a capacity of 2500-3000 liters is required, for 200 m² - for 5500 or 6000 liters.
If you need to calculate the volume of a gas tank for heating a brick house, multiply the building area in m² by 25 - this is for refueling no more than 1 time per year. Such a tank is filled from March to September, when the cost of liquefied gas usually decreases.
Do not forget that you will still have to lay a route - pipes for supplying gas to consumers - a boiler, a gas water heater, a stove, etc.
If the walls of the building are not brick, you can calculate the volume of the gas tank, knowing what the gas consumption for the selected autonomous gas supply of a private house will be for a certain period. If there is no such data, compare the thermal conductivity of brick walls and the walls of your house. And according to the results of the comparison, increase or decrease the volume of the container.
Calculation example
An example is the calculation of a gas tank for a house of 200 m² with brick walls. It is assumed that during the heating season (about half a year), on average, about 25 liters of liquefied gas are burned per square meter of heated area. For a house of 200 m², 25 liters * 200 m² = 5000 liters are consumed during this period. This will be the required volume of the gas tank for this house.
The calculated volume may change if there are other gas consumers in the house besides the heating system - for example, a water heater or a gas stove. They "pull" quite a bit of gas, so you can add 15-20% of the resulting figure.
Boiler power calculation
There is another method for determining the volume of a gas tank, tied to the power of the heating boiler. It is usually assumed that the boiler should operate at about half its capacity or half the time. In this case, in the coldest period, he can easily cope with heating. In addition, this approach prolongs the life of the boiler (it does not work at the power limit, so it wears out more slowly). Therefore, the gas consumption is considered to be 50% of the boiler power.
Calculation example. There is a 22 kW boiler. For the calculation, we take half the power - it is necessary that the fuel produces 11 kW of heat. When burning one liter of liquefied gas, we get 12.5 kW of heat (for reference, if you know which gas you will use, take the calorific value of your fuel). The following is the calculation:
- To get 11 kW, you need 11 kW: 12.5 kW/liter = 0.88 liters. This is the volume of gas required to operate the boiler for an hour.
- To find out the daily volume, multiply by 24 hours: 0.88 l * 24 hours = 21.12 liters / day.
- Monthly expense - the resulting figure is multiplied by 30 days. 21.12 l/day * 30 days = 720 liters/month.
Further, it will not be difficult to calculate the volume of a gas tank for a private house - count the number of months in the heating period, multiply. It is also worth making an adjustment depending on the efficiency of the boiler. For new boilers, this is not critical, but for old ones, the additive can be very significant. For example, if the boiler efficiency is 88%, you need to add 12% of the calculated volume.
Rules for placing gas tanks
The installation location of the gas tank depends on its volume, the area of heated housing, gas consumption and the customer's preferences regarding the microclimatic conditions in the premises. Sanitary rules and regulations (SanPiN) provide for such a distance from the gas tank to the residential building:
- for aboveground tanks up to 5 cubic meters - 20 m;
- for those located underground by 5–10 cubic meters. m - up to 30 m;
- for above-ground storages for 10,000–20,000 liters - 40 m;
- for underground gas tanks, the capacity of which is 10–50 m³ - from 10 to 20 m3.
Despite the fact that sanitary rules and regulations require the location of the gas storage no closer than 10 m from the building, sometimes they are placed at a distance of 5 meters - this should not be allowed. For mobile units, the minimum distance from the house to the gas tank is practically not regulated. Mobile equipment may be installed directly against the wall of the heated room.
There are rules for the placement of storage facilities depending on the climate, and for how to install a gas tank at high groundwater. The top of the underground installation and the pipelines extending from it should not be above the freezing point of the soil up to -20 ° C. The height of the gas tank neck should be above the groundwater level, and to protect against soil swelling, the installation is equipped with reinforcing rings.
Features of selection and installation
When choosing an installation for a private house, regardless of whether an underground vertical or above-ground horizontal gas tank is chosen for heating, they provide for a volume margin of at least 15–20%. After that, the calculated value is compared with the capacity of the options available on the market and the closest one (usually the next larger one) is selected.
On complex soils prone to heaving, a slab is made at the bottom of the pit, to which the container is “anchored”. This prevents the "surfacing" of a half-empty gas tank by spring
Ideally, all calculations and selection of equipment should be carried out by qualified specialists who can take into account all the requirements of the standards. These same people are involved in the calculation of estimates, allowing you to find out how much it costs to install a gas tank in a private house, and maintenance of already installed equipment, ensuring its smooth operation in the future.
Not all summer cottages are provided with centralized gas supplies. Heating a house with electricity is expensive. A good alternative is autonomous gasification. If a group of cylinders does not suit you, then a gas tank will be the way out - a special tank that is filled with a mixture of liquefied hydrocarbons.
We will help you choose the best gas tank for your summer cottage. The article presented by us describes in detail all the varieties that are actively exploited in suburban areas. A detailed description of the models will give an idea of the features of the installation and use of containers for autonomous gas supply.
A gas tank is not only a container for storing the fuel mixture, but also a place where the liquid phase turns into a gaseous state for further supply to the heating main under constant pressure. An important point in the design of an autonomous gas system is the competent choice of a gas tank, which requires the calculation of its technical parameters.
To determine the volume of the tank, the heated area is multiplied by the average amount of fuel used by boilers with an efficiency of 60 to 70%. It is about 17 liters for winter, when there are few days with very low temperatures.
If winters are consistently severe in the region or there are underfloor heating in the country house, the pool, the water in which needs to be heated, the estimated volume is increased. In summer or in the off-season, 3.3 liters is enough to heat 1 m².
Propane-butane, used in a separate gas supply system, has a high calorific value, therefore, it releases up to 3 times more heat during combustion than natural gas
For the operation of a minigas tank or reservoir, the volume of which does not exceed 10 tons, no permission from Rostekhnadzor is needed, provided that the requirements of SNIP regarding installation are met, and the power of the heating devices is not more than 100 kW. If this capacity does not suit you and you need to exceed it, then you will have to obtain a permit.
It is also not necessary to ask for consent from the owners of neighboring plots if communications do not take place in the immediate vicinity of the boundary. In any case, in order to avoid all sorts of misunderstandings, it is good to have a quality certificate on hand. It must be taken from the company that sold the equipment and has a license to install it.
The main components of the gasification project
Not every place on the site is suitable for installing a propane-butane tank. In order for all conditions to be met, it must have the appropriate dimensions. The main thing is that a free access to the tank is needed, otherwise it becomes impossible to fill and maintain it.
When choosing a place for a gas tank, it should be noted that the gas tanker has a hose no longer than 24 m.
All communications can only be laid underground. The container itself should not be under a driveway or other road.
The optimal distance from the road to the reservoir is 5 m. At least 8 m should be retreated from household buildings on your site. To the foundation of the house - 10 m, and from the neighbor's house - 20 m. The factory data plate should be in sight. Rules for choosing a location for the location of a gas tank dedicated to this issue.
It is allowed that the installed tank rises above the ground by a maximum of 0.6 m. It must be grounded, and if static voltage is present on the site, measures must be taken to protect against electrochemical corrosion.
In terms of autonomous gasification, it consists of a tank that has been manufactured and passed all stages of testing at the factory, pressure regulators, protection, and a gas pipeline. Protection consists of magnesium electrodes located at a distance of about 0.35 m from the tank. The purpose of the condensate trap is to collect liquid butane, which then evaporates on its own.
The gas pipeline is assembled from pressure polyethylene pipes. before entering the house, assembled from metal pipes and equipped with a shut-off valve and a bellows type compensator. The internal pipeline is equipped with thermal shut-off valves.
For preparing a pit, at the bottom of which a pillow of sand and gravel is arranged. Next, a monolithic base with a height of at least 160 mm is poured. Without this, the unit can squeeze groundwater out of the pit. Sometimes the tank is immediately fixed on the finished reinforced concrete slab, and then all together lowered into the pit.
After fixing the tank, it is coated with a special grease that protects the metal from corrosion. The next stage is the anode-cathode protection device. After that, the gas pipeline is laid, it and the pit are covered with soil.
Types of gas tanks for giving
Gas holders for suburban areas are both stationary and mobile. Stationary type tanks are divided into above-ground and underground. For a house where they live permanently, a stationary tank is more suitable, and in the case of a cottage intended for seasonal use, it is rational to use the mobile option.
Ground Models
Ground gasholders are characterized by ease of installation, since no excavation is required. The reason for the unpopularity of this option is the fact that the fuel mixture evaporates very slowly at low temperatures. Therefore, the tank must not only be insulated, but also equipped with evaporators.
A small ground gas tank is the best temporary option for a summer residence even if it is planned to supply a central gas main to it. You can use equipment designed for the operation of the highway in the final version, but you need to configure it for liquefied gas
It is irrational to do this for one country house, but if a large-capacity tank is used to provide fuel for an entire country village, this option is better. This is due to the fact that the decision to bury a gas tank with a volume of up to 6 tons m² in the ground will cost much more.
Underground options
Underground tanks are placed in the ground below the freezing point.
This solution has advantages:
- site design does not suffer;
- there is no need for additional equipment that maintains stable evaporation of the gas mixture.
Underground reservoirs are used to supply gas to a village consisting of several houses. When installing a gas tank underground, the minimum distance from the ground level to the upper point of the tank is on average 0.6 m. This parameter is greatly influenced by the climatic conditions of the area.
Since the underground tank must last a fairly long period, calculated in tens of years, it is important to choose a company that has experienced craftsmen in its staff to install it.
A high-quality gas tank should be equipped with a high neck, which will allow it to be placed at the required depth. This will facilitate the task of periodically checking the tank walls and welds for strength.
The tank must have walls with a minimum thickness of 6 mm and a thickness of anti-corrosion epoxy polymer shell not less than 1 mm. The seller of the tank must present a certificate confirming that the product meets all requirements, as well as permission from Rostekhnadzor for its use.
Features of mobile gas tanks
A mobile tank with a volume of about 500 m 3 is placed on a trailer. Connecting such a gas tank to the gas main is not difficult, and this operation is performed very quickly.
In fact, this is the same gas cylinder, only of a larger volume and having a gas heating system. With this amount of liquefied fuel, you can heat a small cottage throughout the winter.
A small mobile gas tank for giving is equipped with all the necessary fittings: valves - safety, filling, with a plug, with an indicator tube, as well as a pressure gauge. There is also a gearbox with a capacity of 4 kg / h and a level gauge
Such mini-tanks are compact - about 2 m long and 0.6 m in diameter. Their service life is quite long - up to 25 years.
If gas is needed exclusively for cooking, then this volume will be enough for 2 years. To use the house all year round, you will need a tank with a capacity of 2.5 tons, but when you also need to heat outbuildings, then the size of the storage will have to be increased.
Mini tanks and their advantages
If we compare a miniature gas tank with a volume of 500 or 1000 liters with its large counterpart, we can note the following advantages:
- It is much cheaper, so it has a shorter payback period.
- You can install it yourself.
- The container does not need to be hidden in the ground, and this significantly reduces installation time.
- There are no strict requirements for the installation site. Clause 8.2.3. SP 62. 13330. 2022 says that you can place a mini-reservoir directly against the wall of the house.
- Gasification with the help of such a gas tank is very fast - it takes only about 2 hours.
There are many advantages in the case of comparison with a conventional gas cylinder. The main thing is that the gas tank is not explosive. The valves included in its package do not allow the pressure to rise above the established norm.
The presence of measuring instruments ensures that when refueling, more liquefied mixture does not get into the tank than it should be. Since the mini-tank replaces a dozen standard 50-liter cylinders in terms of volume, it is filled infrequently
To replenish the gas mixture, it is not necessary to visit a gas station. If the gas tank is not installed on a trailer, but simply on the site near the house, then it can be refueled locally.
Unlike a cylinder, it can supply gas not only to a stove, but also to other more powerful equipment. Due to the fact that the tank has a level gauge, you can always find out how much mixture is left in it. This allows you to plan refueling in advance.
Vertical gas tanks
Depending on the design features, underground gas tanks for arranging summer cottages are divided into horizontal and vertical ones, which take up 3 times less space than horizontal ones.
This option is well suited for suburban housing, with a small local area. Ideally, when it has a high neck, then it is buried to a depth of approximately 4 m. This will help to avoid gas condensation during cold weather.
If 2 or more gas tanks are connected by a common pipe, the total amount of gas will increase. Therefore, if the demand for gas increases, it is not necessary to buy a new, larger tank.
While the gas evaporation area decreases as the fuel is consumed from the horizontal tank, in the vertical gas tank, when the mixture level drops, the mirror area remains constant.
Despite the lower productivity, this is a serious advantage, but due to the considerable height of the tank and the depth of freezing of the earth, it will take a lot of effort to prepare a place for it.
Models of this type are suitable for country houses, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich does not exceed 150 m². Good vertical gas tanks are made in Italy, in particular, manufactured by the company. They are equipped with a thermal protective layer that allows you to keep a stable temperature during extreme cold.
Popular and vertical tanks of the company from Bulgaria CITI GAS. The model range consists of tanks with a volume of 2700, 4800 and 6400 gas-liters. The gas tanks of these two companies differ not only in volume, but also in the color of the tanks and brand names on them.
Bulgarians paint their gas tanks blue, put on them the inscription CITI GAS and the volume. Italian tanks are green
The cost of vertical tanks is higher than that of horizontal samples. They effectively supply the gas mixture in the temperature range -40 - +40⁰. Their service life is 30 years.
Horizontal gas tanks
Horizontal gas tanks are more efficient than vertical ones. There is one caveat - this indicator is unstable. As soon as the level of the gas mixture drops to 1/3 of the volume, it begins to fall, so the system cannot function stably without a special gearbox.
Horizontal tanks are effective for heating a house with an area of 200 m² or several buildings at once. To install a horizontal tank, a shallow pit is prepared.
Its volume must be taken 20% more than the estimated fuel requirement. This is necessary so that there is enough gas to maintain productivity after its volume has been reduced to a critical value.
From a technical point of view, the gas tank has a simple design. Gases are fed into one of the technological openings, and through the second fuel under pressure it goes into the heating system. For summer cottages, the simplest tanks are used, with a capacity of 0.5 to 10 tons.
The metal case of the gas tank can withstand pressure not higher than 1.8 MPa. Among the manufacturers of horizontal units is also the leader of Antonio Merloni.
There are also units of the Czech company Deltagaz, Polish Chemet on the market. The normal functioning of these tanks is possible even in non-standard situations and in the most severe winters.
Detailed characteristics of gas tanks of domestic, Czech and Italian production. We recommend that you read useful information.
Features of filling gas tanks with a mixture of gases
The frequency of filling tanks with propane-butane depends on their volume and on how intensively it is used. On average, it is 1 - 3 times a year. The main thing is not to miss the moment when the balance will be about 30%. Fill the tank not to the top, but not more than 85%.
The supplier of the gas mixture must have a license and special transport. The easiest way is to fill mobile modifications of mini gas tanks for servicing cottages, since they can be transported on a car trailer. Before filling the gas tank, the indicators of the devices must be checked.
We will acquaint you with the cost of installing a gas tank on a private plot, which we recommend reading.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video #1 About the gas tank installation technology:
Video #2 About mobile gas tanks:
The purchase and installation of any gas tank must be preceded by calculations of its volume, the payback time of the unit. The results of the calculations should be compared with alternative types of heating and only then a decision should be made.
