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1.5 Multiple Tank Installation

All tanks must have the same precharge for the system to function properly. Tanks should be installed 

on a header to ensure all tanks receive equal and balanced pressure. Adjust each tank precharge as 

detailed in section 1.3. The system pressure switch or control should be centrally located (see Fig 1.5) 

in order for the tanks to function properly.

2. Thermal Expansion Tank Installation

Thermal expansion tanks are designed to accommodate the natural expansion of water as it is 

heated.  Thermal expansion tanks may be used in several different applications including closed loop 

hydronic heating systems, direct and indirect solar heating systems, and open loop potable water 

heating systems.  GWS has developed three different series of tanks to be used for each application:  

HeatWave™ for closed loop hydronic heating systems, SolarWave™ for indirect closed loop solar 

heating systems, and ThermoWave™ for direct solar heating and open loop potable water heating 

systems.  For high volume thermal expansion applications Challenger™ and SuperFlow™ Series tanks 

may be used.

 

 

CAUTION: Check tank data label for maximum operating pressure and temperature prior to 

installing.

 

CAUTION: Additives (such as glycol) can affect the thermal expansion and expansion tank 

operation.  Check with your GWS dealer or nearest GWS sales office for more details.

 

2.1 Precharge

Using a suitable pressure gauge, check the tank precharge pressure prior to installation. Refer to 

the tank data label for factory precharge pressure. Tanks in closed loop heating circuits should be 

precharged to system fill pressure. Tanks in open loop heating storage systems should be precharged 

to mains’ pressure. For tanks in closed loop solar systems precharge should be set at minimum system 

operating  pressure  and/or  fill  pressure.  Release  or  add  air  by  the  tank  air  valve  accordingly.  Make 

sure the tank is completely drained of water and there is no system pressure affecting the precharge 

pressure reading when adjusting tank precharge.

 

2.2 Thermal Expansion Tank Location

As tanks, pipes and connections can leak even when installed correctly; make sure to install the tank 

at a location where any leak will not cause water damage.  The thermal expansion tank should be 

installed on the cold or supply side of any heating system.  The tank should be installed indoors and 

protected from freezing temperatures.

2.3 System Connection

SuperFlow™ tanks are designed to be self-supporting and should be connected to the system with 

additional piping (See Fig. 2.3).

Fig. 1.5 Multi-tank Installation

NOTE: All tanks must have 

equal precharge 

Relief 

Valve

Pressure

Switch

Header to be sized 

for maximum velocity of 

1.8m/sec (6ft/sec)

Water Flo

w

SuperFlow™ Series

Global Water Solutions Ltd.

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING MANUAL

EN

Installed on

 __________ 

by

 ________________

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLING YOUR NEW 

GLOBAL WATER SOLUTIONS (GWS) TANK

CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

 

CAUTION: To prevent personal injury, ensure all water pressure is released from the pressure 

system prior to work being performed. Ensure pumps are disconnected and/or electrically isolated.

 

WARNING:

 

It is strongly recommended that the system is protected by a suitable pressure relief 

valve set at or below the maximum tank pressure rating. Failure to install a relief valve may result 

in tank explosion in the event of a system malfunction or over pressurization, resulting in property 

damage, serious personal injury or death.

 

WARNING:

 

If the pressure tank leaks or shows signs of corrosion or damage do not use it.

 

WARNING:

 

If the expansion tank is heavier than 30 kgs, proper equipment such as lifting crane 

etc. should be used in order to avoid damage to the tank and personnel.

These instructions have been prepared to acquaint you with the correct method of installing and 

operating your GWS pressure tank.  We urge you to study this document carefully and follow all of 

the recommendations. In the event of installation difficulties or the need for further advice, you should 

contact the dealer from whom you purchased the system or the nearest GWS sales office.

• 

SuperFlow™ Series tanks are designed for use in well water, potable water booster systems (Refer 

to Sec. 1 for installation details) and for use in non-potable closed loop hydronic or solar water 

heating systems (Refer to Sec. 2 for installation details) as well as for use in open loop potable water 

heating applications. (Refer to Sec. 2 for installation details.)

• 

See tank data label for maximum working pressure and maximum temperature.

• 

Be sure to protect tank, piping and all system components from freezing temperatures.

• 

The manufacturer is not responsible for any water damage in connection with this pressure tank.

INSTALLATION MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL AND STATE PLUMBING CODES.

1. Well Water and Booster System Tank Installation

1.1 Proper GWS Tank Location

In order to ensure your tank provides its maximum service life it should always be installed in a 

covered, dry position. The tank should not be allowed to rub against any surrounding hard surfaces, 

such as walls etc.

1.2 System Connection

1. 

Place the GWS tank in its final desired location.

2. 

Level  as  necessary. All  vertical  and  horizontal  model  tanks  should  be  placed  on  a  firm  base.  If 

vibration is likely to occur in the vicinity the tank should be mounted on a resilient mounting.

3.  Connect the tank to the pump supply line with a short pipe to eliminate unnecessary friction loss.

4.  All piping should be in accordance with prevailing local codes and standards.

5.  Tanks mounted on booster sets should be strapped down for shipment.

1.3 Adjusting Precharge Pressure

Correct precharge is required for proper tank performance.

1.  For tanks installed with a pressure switch controlled pump with a differential pressure set up to 2 

bar (30 psi), the precharge should be set to 0.2 bar (2 psi) below the cut-in pressure.

2.  For tanks installed with a pump controlled by a pressure switch with a pressure differential greater 

than 2 bar (30 psi), electronic controls or variable speed controls, the precharge should be set to 

65% of the cut-out or maximum system pressure.

3.  For tanks installed on mains’ pressure, the tank precharge should be set equal to the mains’ 

pressure. For mains’ pressure exceeding 6 bar (88 psi), a suitable pressure regulator should be 

installed.

4.  Precharge of SuperFlow™ tanks should be checked every 3 months.

For correct operation, pressure tanks should be precharged as follows:

1.  Turn off the pump, disconnect the tank from the system and completely drain all water inside the 

tank to avoid water pressure affecting precharge readings.

2.  Using a suitable pressure gauge, check the precharge pressure of the tank.

3.  Release or add air as necessary to adjust to the required precharge pressure.

4.  Replace protective air valve cap and seal with the air valve label, if provided. This will enable you to 

determine if the valve has been tampered with in case of future service calls.

 

CAUTION: Never over-charge the tank and precharge the tank with air at ambient temperature 

only!

If the tank is to be precharged over 4 bar (58 psi):

1.  Adjust the precharge of the tank to 4 bar (58 psi).

2.  Install the tank into the system.

3.  Fill the system with water to equalise the system and precharge pressure at 4 bar (58 psi).

4.  Increase precharge pressure in maximum 3 bar (44 psi) steps and afterwards adjust the system 

pressure to the new precharge pressure by filling water into the system.

5.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the required precharge is reached.

Emptying a tank that has a precharge over 4 bar (58 psi):

1. 

Make sure there is some water in the tank.

2.  Isolate the tank from the system (close isolation valve).

3. 

Make sure no additional water can get into the tank (shut off the pump and/or any water supply).

4.  Release air from tank until 3 bar (44 psi) tank/air pressure is remaining.

5.  Open a drain valve and afterwards the isolation valve to drain the tank.

 

CAUTION:  Make  sure  that  the  system  pressure  is  never  lower  than  4  bar  (58  psi)  below 

precharge. If system pressure needs to be lowered, the tank should be isolated or emptied as 

previously described.

1.4 Pump Run Control Operating Principles

Without a pressure tank, a water system’s pump would cycle (turn on) every time there was a demand 

for water. This frequent and potentially short cycling would shorten the life of the pump.  Pressure 

tanks are designed to store water when the pump is running and then deliver pressurized water back 

to the system when the pump is shut off (Fig 1.4). A properly sized tank will store at least one liter of 

water for every liter per minute (LPM) of pump capacity.  This allows for fewer pump starts and longer 

run times which should maximize the life of the pump.

1. Before drawdown

2. During 

drawdown

3. Pump comes on 

and begins to fill 

the tank

Fig. 2.3

Hot

Relief

Valve

W

ater Heater

BackFlow Preventer or 

Check Valve

Vertical 

Tank

w/ Feet

Cold

www.globalwatersolutions.com

Fig. 1.4

Revision: M-BT3-1.08-CN

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