Rapid data center expansion and modern HVAC demands have led more engineers and specifiers to choose stainless steel vessels for their systems. But what exactly is passivation, and what makes a passivated stainless steel vessel desirable over traditional carbon steel? What is Passivation? Passivation is a multi-step chemical finishing process performed after components are manufactured, […]

Expansion factor is defined as the fractional change of the volume of a substance from a change in its temperature. Simply said, as a substance temperature increases, its volume increases. This is important when determining the amount of fluid that will expand in a hydronic system and subsequently the expansion tank needed to accommodate this […]

The proper way of setting the pre-charge air pressure for a tank in operation is to isolate the tank from the system, drain off all expanded fluid, and measure the air pressure in the tank. The pre-charge air pressure can then be reset to its optimal setting. Depending on the tank size, this process can […]

At times, an expansion tank pre-charge must be increased using compressed air. Wessels recommends dry, oil-free air like the compressed air used in our factory, which is taken to below -50°F and processed through a dryer. Another option is to use compressed nitrogen because it is an inert gas that avoids oxidation and moisture content […]

  There are six critical inputs needed to size any expansion tank: 1. Amount of fluid to be heated 2. The type of fluid being heated 3. The starting temperature of the fluid 4. The ending temperature of the fluid 5. The minimum or starting pressure of the fluid 6. The maximum or ending pressure […]

The WessViewTM bladder integrity monitor from Wessels Company is a quick, at-a-glance indicator letting you know if water has breached your tank’s internal bladder or diaphragm. The design uses a desiccant that sits on top of a red disk. If the desiccant touches water and dissolves, the bright red disk will start to show. If […]

Expansion tanks sometimes develop air, liquid, or weeping water leaks at the bottom system connection (BSC). The BSC is a bulkhead fitting the goes through the tank bladder and compresses the bladder to the bottom tank head with the tightening of a jam or lock nut. The locknut is the sealing force between the tank […]

Wessels Company offers replacement bladders for our line of removable bladder expansion tanks. The butyl bladders come with a standard hole in the bottom of the bladder, but sometimes a larger-sized hole is recommended for optimal installation. Wessels manually punches bladder holes to the correct size. However, if a bladder you receive needs modification, you […]