Minimum Storage Tank Requirements for Chilled Water Systems

There has been a significant amount of interest in volume required for proper operation of chilled water systems. The following is a spreadsheet
that will help in calculating system volume. On the second sheet, various storage tank sizes are listed with their associated dimensions and
weights.

The items in RED are the parameters that need input.

Sometimes a simple spreadsheet can remind us of the need for storage volume and prevent erratic operation of the chiller plant. It is much easier
to install the tank in the design process, versus after the advent of a problem.

Chiller Nominal Tonnage

Chiller Flow Rate/Nominal Ton

(2.4 GPM/Ton @ 10 F DT) Enter Items in RED
(2.0 GPM/Ton @ 12 F DT)
Chiller Flow Rate
-

Volume Enter
Pipe Size Gal/Ft. (gal) Length
1 0.037 0
1.5 0.092 0
2 0.153 0
2.5 0.221 0
3 0.343 0
3.5 0.462 0
4 0.597 0
5 0.945 0
6 1.35 0
8 2.37 0
10 3.88 0
12 5.63 0
14 6.63 0
16 8.57 0
18 11.1 0
20 13.9 0

Total
Pipe
Volume
(Gal) -

Air Handling Unit/Fan Coil Airflow (cfm)

Average Face Velocity (fpm)
(500-550 fpm is fairly standard) 500
Face Area of Coils (Sq. Ft.) 0
Average Coil Rows 6
Coil Water Volume (Gal) 0

Minutes of System Storage Volume

(Based on 2.5 minutes of Storage
in the system) 2.5
System Volume Required (Gal) -
Recommended Tank Usable Volume (Gal) -

Actual Tank Volume Required (Gal)

- Based on 80%
Usable Volume -

See Next Sheet for Tank Size and Weight

Mechanical Concepts, LLC
Shreveport, LA
318.550.0525
RBI Insulated and Jacketed Storage Tanks

Vertical Round

Total Total Tank

Vertical Tank Weight Weight Weight
RBI Gallon Diameter Height Weight w/ Water Per Per
Model Capacity (In.) (In.) (Lbs) (Lbs) Gallon Gallon
V200J 200 32 77.25 600 2,266 11.3 3.0
V250J 257 34 91 1,108 3,249 16.2 4.3
V320J 318 40 80 1,290 3,939 19.7 4.1
V430J 432 46 80 1,512 5,111 25.6 3.5
V500J 504 46 92 1,623 5,821 29.1 3.2
V650J 650 52 92 1,911 7,326 36.6 2.9
V750J 752 52 104 2,330 8,594 43.0 3.1
V940J 940 52 128 3,010 10,840 54.2 3.2

Vertical Square

Total Total Tank

Vertical Tank Weight Weight Weight
RBI Gallon Width Height Weight w/ Water Per Per
Model Capacity (In.) (In.) (Lbs) (Lbs) Gallon Gallon
V1250J 1250 64.5 132.5 4,660 15,073 12.1 3.7
V1500J 1500 70.5 128.5 6,200 18,695 12.5 4.1
V2000J 2000 76.5 140.5 7,400 24,060 12.0 3.7
V2500J 2500 82.5 146.5 9,000 29,825 11.9 3.6

Horizontal Round

Total Total Tank

Horiz. Tank Weight Weight Weight
RBI Gallon Diameter Length Weight w/ Water Per Per
Model Capacity (In.) (In.) (Lbs) (Lbs) Gallon Gallon
H250J 250 34 88 1,157 3,240 13.0 4.6
H300J 300 40 76 1,355 3,854 12.8 4.5
H400J 400 46 76 1,587 4,919 12.3 4.0
H500J 500 46 88 1,711 5,876 11.8 3.4
H600J 600 52 88 2,053 7,051 11.8 3.4
H700J 700 52 100 2,399 8,230 11.8 3.4
H1000J 1000 52 124 3,114 11,444 11.4 3.1

Horizontal Square

Total Total Tank

Horiz. Tank Weight Weight Weight
RBI Gallon Width Length Weight w/ Water Per Per
Model Capacity (In.) (In.) (Lbs) (Lbs) Gallon Gallon
H1250J 1250 60.25 132.5 4,660 15,073 12.1 3.7
H1500J 1500 66.25 128.5 6,200 18,695 12.5 4.1
H2000J 2000 72.25 140.5 7,400 24,060 12.0 3.7
H2500J 2500 78.25 146.5 9,000 29,825 11.9 3.6

Mechanical Concepts, LLC

Shreveport, LA
318.550.0525