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Air Receiver Tank Size Calculator

Work out air receiver tank size instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Air Receiver Tank Size Calculator

A receiver buys time by trading pressure for volume. The stored air released as the tank falls by the allowable pressure drop must cover the shortfall between peak demand and compressor output, giving V = (demand - output) x time x 14.7 / Δp in cubic feet, then 7.48 gallons per cubic foot.

Formula

Receiver volume

V ft³ = (peak SCFM - output SCFM) x minutes x 14.7 / allowable Δp psi

Worked example

With the default values below, Air Receiver Tank Size Calculator returns Receiver volume required of 220. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Peak air demandminimum 0.1 SCFM
60 SCFM
Compressor outputminimum 0.1 SCFM
40 SCFM
Time peak must be supportedminimum 0.1 min
2 min
Allowable pressure dropminimum 1 psi
20 psi

Results

Receiver volume required
220 gal
Receiver volume
29.40 ft³
Shortfall at peak
20.00 SCFM
Holdup time provided
120 s

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Receiver volume
  3. 3Receiver volume required= 220 gal
  4. 4Receiver volume= 29.40 ft³
  5. 5Shortfall at peak= 20.00 SCFM
  6. 6Holdup time provided= 120 s

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Air Receiver Tank Size figure worked out?

V ft³ = (peak SCFM - output SCFM) x minutes x 14.7 / allowable Δp psi. A receiver buys time by trading pressure for volume.

Does a bigger receiver save energy?

Indirectly. Extra storage lets the compressor run in longer, more efficient loaded cycles instead of rapidly loading and unloading, and it smooths pressure for the whole plant.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Peak air demand, Compressor output, Time peak must be supported, Allowable pressure drop. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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