Compliant with ASME Sec. VIII Div.1

Design and fabrication of
compressed air receivers is our speciality!

A compressed air receiver, or compressor tank, stabilises the air network pressure, covers heavy momentary demand and extends the compressor's life. It is a pressure vessel; its design, fabrication and testing are carried out to ASME, and every receiver is hydrotested in the Behineh Ab factory before delivery.

Product photo — vertical compressed air receiver
Common working pressure
8 to 16 bar
Hydrostatic test
1.3×MAWP
Design code
ASME VIII
Fabrication warranty
24 months
Designed to ASME Section VIII
Hydrotest in the factory
Safety valve and drain
Corrosion allowance for condensate
Vertical and horizontal models
Nameplate and documents

1. Why an air receiver is a pressure vessel

The energy stored in compressed air

Unlike water, compressed air is compressed and stores energy. An air receiver of a few hundred litres at 10 bar holds considerable energy, and if it bursts this energy is released all at once. That is why an air receiver, however small, falls under the rules for pressure vessels.

The second danger comes from inside. Condensate collects at the bottom of the receiver and, if it is not drained, slowly corrodes the plate. Most air receivers that are damaged in service have thinned at the bottom because of corrosion, not because of the original design.

2. Key design parameters

These figures are the starting point for designing a compressed air receiver:

Common working pressure
8 to 16 bar
Test pressure
1.3 × MAWP
Corrosion allowance
1.5 to 3 mm
Safety valve setting
≤ design pressure
Workshop note

Set the design pressure slightly above the compressor's maximum pressure so that the safety valve does not open in normal operation.

3. Choosing the receiver volume

The volume of an air receiver depends on three factors:

Compressor flow rate

A compressor with a higher flow rate needs a larger receiver so that its start/stop interval stays reasonable.

Working pressure band

The gap between the compressor's start and stop pressures. The smaller this gap, the more volume is needed for the same demand.

Demand pattern

Steady demand can be covered with a smaller receiver. Heavy momentary demand, such as sandblasting, needs a larger receiver or a second receiver near the user.

Key point

A receiver smaller than needed wears out the compressor, and a very large one takes extra cost and space. Choose the volume from real flow and demand figures.

4. Condensate and corrosion

Ambient air always contains moisture. When the compressor compresses the air and it then cools in the receiver, part of this moisture turns into liquid water. This water collects at the bottom of the receiver and, together with compressor oil particles, creates a corrosive environment.

That is why three things matter in the design: a drain valve exactly at the lowest point, enough corrosion allowance in the plate thickness, and, where possible, automatic draining. In humid air, or where regular draining is not done, galvanizing the receiver or using stainless steel multiplies its life.

5. Maintenance and inspection

Daily or automatic

Draining the water from the bottom of the receiver.

Periodic

Testing the safety valve and calibrating the pressure gauge.

Thickness inspection

Measuring bottom and shell thickness ultrasonically to find corrosion before it becomes dangerous.

Features of our air receivers

What keeps a compressor tank safe and durable

Shell and head thickness calculated to ASME
Hydrotest at 1.3 times MAWP in the factory
Safety valve set at the design pressure
Drain valve at the lowest point
Corrosion allowance for condensate
Inspection opening for periodic inspection
Vertical and horizontal models
Nameplate and fabrication documents
Workshop photo — building a compressed air receiver

What does a compressed air receiver do?

A compressor produces air at a constant flow rate, but a factory's demand is not constant. Air tools, sandblasting, pneumatic valves and packaging lines each draw a lot of air at moments. A compressed air receiver acts as a store: it fills during low demand and makes up the shortfall at peak demand so the network pressure does not drop.

The second advantage is that the compressor starts and stops less often. A compressor that is constantly starting wears out sooner and uses more electricity. A receiver of the right size lengthens the interval between starts. Part of the air's moisture also cools and condenses inside the receiver and leaves through the drain valve, which means less load reaches the dryer.

Stable pressure
Covers momentary demand and network fluctuation
Compressor life
Fewer starts and stops
Water separation
Moisture condenses and drains from the bottom

Types of compressed air receiver

Chosen by installation space, volume and network pressure

Vertical air receiver

Vertical air receiver

The most common model in plant rooms and compressor halls; it takes little floor space and the condensate collects and drains easily at the bottom head.

VolumeTo order
Working pressure8 to 16 bar
SupportThree or four legs
Horizontal air receiver on saddles

Horizontal air receiver

For halls with limited height, or where the compressor is mounted on the receiver. It sits on two saddles and the drain valve is at the lowest point of the shell.

VolumeTo order
Working pressure8 to 16 bar
SupportTwo saddles
Small air tank

Small workshop air tank

For small compressors in workshops, repair shops and small production lines. It follows the same design and testing rules as an industrial receiver, just at a smaller size.

VolumeTo order
Working pressurePer compressor
TestHydrotest like an industrial receiver

Technical specifications and design range

The common range; higher pressures and volumes with a dedicated design

Working pressure
8 to 16 bar
Higher pressure to order
Test pressure
1.3 times MAWP
Hydrotest in the Behineh Ab factory
Material
SA-516 Gr.70 · galvanized · stainless
Galvanized or stainless for humid air
Corrosion allowance
Usually 1.5 to 3 mm
For the condensate inside the receiver
Accessories
Safety valve · pressure gauge · drain
Plus inspection opening and inlet and outlet nozzles
Coating
Industrial paint · hot-dip galvanized
Internal coating if needed

Fabrication steps to delivery

From compressor flow rate to hydrotest — with quality control at every stage

1
Volume and design
Setting the volume from the compressor flow rate and demand pattern, calculating shell and head thickness and laying out the nozzles.
2
Material and fabrication
Pressure vessel plate with mill certificates, shell rolling, head forming and welding to approved procedures.
3
Non-destructive testing
Weld inspection by a third-party inspection company.
4
Hydrotest and delivery
Hydrotest in the factory, fitting the safety valve and accessories, painting and delivery with a nameplate.

Standards and safety

Simple as it looks, an air receiver stores a lot of energy. Design to ASME Section VIII, a correct safety valve and the hydrotest are its three layers of safety. No receiver leaves the factory without a test report.

Thickness design to ASME Sec. VIII Div.1
Hydrotest at 1.3 times MAWP in the factory
Weld inspection by a third-party company
Safety valve and nameplate
Workshop photo — hydrotest of an air receiver

Applications of compressed air receivers

Wherever there is compressed air, an air receiver is needed too

Factories and production lines
Air tools, pneumatic valves and packaging
Sandblasting and painting
Heavy, continuous momentary demand
Power plants and refineries
Instrument air and service air
Workshops and repair shops
Small air tanks for workshop compressors

Speak directly with technical specialists

Tell us the compressor flow rate, working pressure and type of use to receive the right volume and a receiver price.

Frequently asked questions

The most common questions about compressed air receivers and compressor tanks

Price inquiry
compressed air receiver

Enter your project details; our specialists will send a technical proposal and price within 24 business hours.

  • Written technical response with a proposed concept drawing
  • Site visit in Tehran and suburbs
  • 24-month fabrication & weld warranty
Direct line to engineering office
+98 21 4686 6276

Your information is confidential and used only to prepare a technical proposal.

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