De-Aired Water Tank Installation

This blog is available in a pdf format. Please see Support document SUP0077.

Introduction

The VJ Tech de-airing tank is simple to use, low cost and suitable for most modern laboratories. It can easily be wall mounted by the welded lugs in the top and base plates.

Setting up 

The water tank should be mounted securely as high as possible.

The tank is filled via the water inlet marked on figure 2 below; it can be connected to the water supply with standard 15 mm copper pipe or flexible hose. The water is sprayed into the tank through a fine nozzle marked on figure 2 which assists in creating bubbles to release the air from the water.

The vacuum pump, which is connected to vacuum inlet marked on figure 2 by flexible hose, will suck the air bubbles out of the water.

Ensure that the vacuum pump is filled with oil and the filter is fitted correctly.

The de-aired water is released to the distribution panel via the 8 mm push fitting, which is supplied in the base plate as standard.

It is recommended that a valve is fitted in line with the pipe going from the vacuum pump to the de-airing tank so that the vacuum can be released from the tank after de-airing.

A general layout of the de-airing system can be seen in figure 1.

Figure 1 - Connections to De-aired water tank

Filling the Vacuum Pump with Oil

The Vacuum pump must be filled with oil before it can be switched on.

Figure 2 - Vacuum Pump

1)     Remove the cover (unlatch the clips and turn clockwise) see Figure 3

Figure 3 - Removing top cover

2)     Undo locking screw for muffler (anti-clockwise), see Figure 4

Figure 4 - Removing muffler

3) Fill the Vacuum pump with Oil (use oil supplied by VJ Tech) . NOTE: Do not fill more than the MAX level shown on the sight window.

Figure 5 - Fill Vacuum Pump with Oil 

Using the Tank

Before filling the tank, make sure that the de-airing tank is isolated from the distribution panels of the triaxial system. Close the valve at the entry point into the distribution panel.

Turn on the main water supply to fill the tank with water via the spray nozzle (be careful not to overfill the tank, fill to a maximum level of ¾). Turn the water off and now simply turn on the vacuum pump to remove the air from the water.

As the air is being sucked out of the tank you will notice air bubbles rising up the side of the water in the tank.

Whilst the vacuum is being applied to the water, the tank must not be opened to the distribution panel. If a sudden vacuum is applied to a triaxial system by opening the de-airing tank to the distribution panel then it is possible that the pressure controllers and pressure transducers could be damaged. The tank must never be pressurised.

When air bubbles are no longer visible on the side of the de-airing tank switch off the vacuum pump.

Before the water can be used the vacuum in the tank must be released. Failure to release the vaccum will stop water running freely to your triaxial system and could possibly damage components of your triaxial system.

When additional water is introduced into the tank the vacuum pump must be switched on to de-air the new water.

Maintenance

As required, the tank may be periodically disassembled and cleaned. Simply unscrew the 4 cap nuts and carefully remove the top plate then clean the cylinder with a mild detergent. When replacing the cylinder ensure that it is securely located on the o – ring (a lubricant may be used).

Maintenance for a vacuum pump supplied by VJ tech can be found in the relevant user guide, please contact service@vjtech.co.uk to obtain a copy.