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)
(2.0 GPM/Ton @ 12 F DT)

Enter Items in RED

Chiller Flow Rate

-

Pipe Size
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

Gal/Ft.
0.037
0.092
0.153
0.221
0.343
0.462
0.597
0.945
1.35
2.37
3.88
5.63
6.63
8.57
11.1
13.9
Total
Pipe
Volume
(Gal)

Enter
Length

Volume
(gal)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Air Handling Unit/Fan Coil Airflow (cfm)

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

500
0
6
0

Minutes of System Storage Volume

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

2.5
-

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

RBI
Model
V200J
V250J
V320J
V430J
V500J
V650J
V750J
V940J

Vertical
Height
(In.)
77.25
91
80
80
92
92
104
128

Tank
Weight
(Lbs)
600
1,108
1,290
1,512
1,623
1,911
2,330
3,010

Total
Weight
w/ Water
(Lbs)
2,266
3,249
3,939
5,111
5,821
7,326
8,594
10,840

Total
Weight
Per
Gallon
11.3
16.2
19.7
25.6
29.1
36.6
43.0
54.2

Tank
Weight
Per
Gallon
3.0
4.3
4.1
3.5
3.2
2.9
3.1
3.2

Width
(In.)
64.5
70.5
76.5
82.5

Vertical
Height
(In.)
132.5
128.5
140.5
146.5

Tank
Weight
(Lbs)
4,660
6,200
7,400
9,000

Total
Weight
w/ Water
(Lbs)
15,073
18,695
24,060
29,825

Total
Weight
Per
Gallon
12.1
12.5
12.0
11.9

Tank
Weight
Per
Gallon
3.7
4.1
3.7
3.6

Gallon
Diameter
Capacity
(In.)
250
34
300
40
400
46
500
46
600
52
700
52
1000
52

Horiz.
Length
(In.)
88
76
76
88
88
100
124

Tank
Weight
(Lbs)
1,157
1,355
1,587
1,711
2,053
2,399
3,114

Total
Weight
w/ Water
(Lbs)
3,240
3,854
4,919
5,876
7,051
8,230
11,444

Total
Weight
Per
Gallon
13.0
12.8
12.3
11.8
11.8
11.8
11.4

Tank
Weight
Per
Gallon
4.6
4.5
4.0
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.1

Horiz.
Length
(In.)
132.5
128.5
140.5
146.5

Tank
Weight
(Lbs)
4,660
6,200
7,400
9,000

Total
Weight
w/ Water
(Lbs)
15,073
18,695
24,060
29,825

Total
Weight
Per
Gallon
12.1
12.5
12.0
11.9

Tank
Weight
Per
Gallon
3.7
4.1
3.7
3.6

Gallon
Diameter
Capacity
(In.)
200
32
257
34
318
40
432
46
504
46
650
52
752
52
940
52

Vertical Square

RBI
Model
V1250J
V1500J
V2000J
V2500J

Gallon
Capacity
1250
1500
2000
2500

Horizontal Round

RBI
Model
H250J
H300J
H400J
H500J
H600J
H700J
H1000J

Horizontal Square

RBI
Model
H1250J
H1500J
H2000J
H2500J

Gallon
Capacity
1250
1500
2000
2500

Width
(In.)
60.25
66.25
72.25
78.25

Mechanical Concepts, LLC

Shreveport, LA
318.550.0525