For the installation of autonomous life support systems of country houses, gas tanks are often used - mobile or stationary tanks for natural gas. The choice of gas storage should be approached responsibly - the installation technology, the convenience and safety of the operation of the system depend on this.
The Italian gas tank Antonio Merloni refers to the equipment that is fully equipped for installation, which is why it has gained popularity among users.
If you plan to purchase such a unit, then you need to familiarize yourself with the model range of the manufacturer, learn more about the device, the specifics of installation and maintenance of various gas storages. Our article is devoted to the solution of the indicated issues.
Features of the equipment of the Italian brand
When choosing a gas tank for a country cottage or a small company located far from the city, first of all, you need to pay attention to the technical specifications and equipment. It is also important to understand how it works and what difficulties you may encounter during transportation and installation.
Appointment of gas tanks Antonio Merloni
The Merloni family stood at the origins of the production of tanks for liquefied gas (since 1947), and the products manufactured at modern industrial enterprises, and now is the reference. The equipment passes special testing and is made taking into account climatic features of those regions to which it is delivered.
Gas tanks, single and double, are designed for uninterrupted operation both in harsh winter conditions and in the hot south. This can be judged by the temperature of gas evaporation - from -40ºС to + 50ºС. Accordingly, the material of the tank body is selected with the condition that it easily withstands pressure and freezing of the soil.
Horizontal and vertical models of the brand Antonio Merloni are designed specifically for installation in the ground - in a special pit with a base of concrete slab
Gas holders are part of an autonomous gasification system that provides gas to the house. In addition to a safe and reliable tank, which is installed near a residential building, the system includes a gas pipeline buried in the ground, and a basement equipment for entering the pipe into the house.
One of the advantages of the Italian brand is that for installation you do not need to look for fittings and other accessories - everything is supplied with the tank.
After mounting the gas tank, refuel with liquefied petroleum gas (propane-butane). In the future, it is necessary to refuel 1-2 times a year, if the tank volume is selected correctly (+)
It is difficult to calculate a preliminary accurate gas flow, since it depends on several factors: the number of permanent and temporary gas consumers, the characteristics of gas equipment inside and outside the house, etc.
Thanks to the range of gas holders with volumes from 1000 l to 10 000 l, they are used to provide gas for buildings for various purposes:
- country houses of temporary residence;
- country cottages of permanent residence;
- small enterprises with no gas supply;
- sports bases and hotels, etc.
The natural gas systems are hot water, heating, electricity. If you bring gas to the summer kitchen, you can connect the stove, as well as the fireplace on the veranda or barbecue, located on the street.
The device of vertical and horizontal models
Many manufacturers of gas storages consider light weight to simplify the installation process as an advantage of the product. However, company representatives Antonio Merloni focus on the heavy weight of the equipment and argue that lightweight material can not be reliable enough and long to serve.
Low-alloy steel is resistant to low temperatures, so the lower level of the use of tanks is equal to 40 ° C frost.
Gas tanks for autonomous use are produced from steel sheets with a thickness of 7-10 mm. Cutting and welding take place on an automatic line. Deformation of parts is carried out by powerful presses from whole sheets, so there are no unnecessary seams and joints on the tank
The steel casing on both sides is covered with a protective layer: on the outside three times painted with epoxy anticorrosive composition (800 microns), and inside - with a special paint. Dried epoxy based products are recognized as one of the most effective in protecting underground metal structures.
Anode-cathodic protection is provided from the negative effects of directing and stray currents, consisting of 3 components: 2 cathodes + 1 anode. It is powered by a battery, the charge of which is enough for the entire life of the device.
The innovative element of the Antonio Merloni gas tanks is the Marsupio plastic bag. Polymer fabric is characterized by increased strength and, according to manufacturers, will not lose quality for a century and a half
The Marsupio bag performs several functions at once:
- protects the case from mechanical damage;
- protects the external coating of equipment from scratches and damage during soil movements;
- supports the work of anode-cathode protection;
- promotes heating of liquefied gas;
- makes installation easier in the pit.
Ground and underground equipment Antonio Merloni complies with European standards, has certificates.
The body of the gas tank is a two-walled container assembled using the “bulb in bulb” technology. A solution with a high degree of thermal conductivity is poured between the walls. This allows you to maintain the temperature necessary for boiling and vaporizing the gas.
Thanks to the double-walled structure and the Marsupio bag, heat transfer increases due to the heat of the earth (at a depth of 3 m). For the same reason, the gas pipeline is laid at a depth of 1.7 m - below the gas treatment plant.
The housing is also equipped with pressure monitoring sensors, protection (with alarm) against leakage, and an earthing system. The internal volume is completely filled with gas. Due to constant pressure, neither air, nor any source of fire can penetrate into the tank, therefore, it is 100% protected from fire and explosion.
If the tank is heated (theoretically), then its nominal value of 6 bar gradually grows to 17.5 bar, after which the emergency valve opens and the gas leaves the storage.
Product line of Antonio Merloni gas tanks
Market analysis revealed models that are most in demand. Now their 8: 7 are vertical and 1 is horizontal.
Models of one type differ in volume, which is selected individually for each particular house. If the volume of one gas tank is not enough, then several tanks are combined in a cascade manner.
Type # 1 - Vertical Single
Four vertical models differ in tank volume, as well as in size and performance.
The company's engineers calculated what approximately the area of the house is designed for one or another model:
- 1000 l - for a house with an area of 100 m²;
- 1650 l - 170 m²;
- 2250 l - 250 m²;
- 5000 l - 500 m².
We will analyze the main characteristics using the example of the smallest gas holder. It is designed for 1000 l of LPG / GPL / LPG gas, has a height of 2.1 and a diameter of 1 m. The installation pit is larger in diameter - 1.6 m, but smaller in depth - 1.95 m, since after installation and backfilling the neck with the lid remain above the ground.
The weight of the empty tank is 560 kg, the wall thickness of the housing is half a centimeter. An important indicator is the evaporation of gas: during operation of the equipment up to 2 hours - 8.1 kg / h, up to 8 hours - 4 kg / h (+)
A manhole cover with an HDPE cover, necessary for maintenance, is hermetically adjacent to the neck. In addition to the case, the Marsupio bag and a concrete-alkaline slab are delivered in the kit, the thickness of which is 0.15 m for a 1000 liter model.
There is also a thermal lock, a reduction head with 2 steps (for high and low pressure), an equalizer, valves for refueling, protection, liquid fraction and ventilation, a manometer and a padlock.
One of the safety steps is a safety valve for 17.65 bar. In the event of an emergency (sudden heating), it automatically activates and releases the tank (+)
Other models differ in size, weight, size of the pit, the thickness of the walls of the case, performance. Suppose the most voluminous 5,000 liter gas tank weighs 2,450 kg, has a height of 3.08 m, a wall thickness of 10 mm, gas vaporization of 40 l / h (during operation up to 2 hours) and 15 l / h (up to 8 hours).
The cost of a gas tank with a minimum volume of 3100 €, with a maximum of 7900 €.
Type # 2 - Vertical Double
If a larger volume of tanks is needed, then a set of 2 gas holders is installed. At the same time, their volume can be the same (2500 l + 2500 l) and different (2250 l + 5000 l). Installation of 2 models is called double redundancy, and their connection is cascaded.
Calculation of the building area:
- 4500 l - for a house with an area of 500 m²;
- 7250 l - 750 m²;
- 10,000 l - 1000 m².
Suppose, to supply gas to a house of 750 m², a 7200-7500 l reservoir is needed. This is not, and therefore they mount a pair - at 5000 liters and 2250 liters. The width of the pit increases (the dimensions of both tanks add up), and the depth is determined by a larger gas tank.
The main indicator - evaporation - does not add up and depends on which of the tanks is active. For a model with a volume of 7250 liters, the values of single gas tanks are stored: 40/11 (up to 2 hours) and 15 / 5.3 (up to 8 hours) (+)
To install an additional gas tank, a more spacious pit will be required. But this should not worry the owners of the site, since all design and installation work is carried out by company specialists. Installing a second (and each subsequent) tank costs about 100 €.
Type # 3 - horizontal
Among the 8 popular models, there is only one horizontal, and this is the company's thoughtful marketing policy. It is believed that the functioning of the horizontal model is not so effective. Evaporation occurs at a temperature of -20ºС and higher, while vertical gas holders work perfectly up to -40 ºС.
Horizontal models are not suitable for use in the northern regions, since at temperatures below -20 ° C the gas simply will not be able to switch from a liquid to a gaseous state
It is also estimated that the intensity of the vertical models is much higher. They are approximately 2.2 times more productive than horizontal counterparts and do not require the installation of expensive evaporators, since they work using geothermal technology.
The downside of horizontal models is considered to be a more voluminous pit requiring additional free territory.
The line of underground and ground horizontal gas tanks includes tanks from 1000 liters to 5000 liters. Unlike vertical ones, which are always in stock, horizontal ones must be ordered in advance. The cost of a model with a volume of 5000 liters is 6500 €. Similarly, ground-based vertical gas tanks with a volume of 500 liters and 1000 liters are also delivered to order.
Installation work and connection
Installation and connection of the gas tank should only be carried out by qualified representatives of the company, who know in detail all the standards and the nuances of installation. When installing the pit, PB 12-609-03 and SNiP are guided on January 42, 2002.
Work order:
- The preparatory phase is digging a pit and trench for laying a gas pipeline.
- Mounting the concrete base plate.
- Transportation of a gas tank (one or more) to an object.
- Lowering the tank into the pit, fixing on a concrete slab.
- Equipped with anode-cathode protection.
- Installation and connection of the gas pipeline.
- Arrangement of a basement in the house.
- Indoor installation work.
- Pressure testing and testing.
- Backfill of the pit and trenches with sand.
- Gas filling and commissioning.
- Commissioning and connection to consumers.
Each point was worked out by specialists, so the installation of equipment is carried out within one day. It is forbidden to independently arrange a pit, install a gas holder or install a gas pipeline.
Recommendations for the main stages of installation:
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The pit is dug strictly according to the design dimensions at a distance of at least 5 m from the house (1 m from the septic tank, 2 m from the fence). The depth of the trench for the gas pipeline is from 1.5 m to 1.7 m (below the UPG), the width is 0.6 m
For delivery, they use special equipment with a manipulator. When loading / unloading, the gas holder is suspended on specially designed belts that the Marsupio bag is equipped with
The base concrete-alkali slab that comes with the kit and has mounts for installation performs two functions: it plays the role of an “anchor” for the tank and compensates for possible movement of the soil. The total depth of the pit - from 2.1 m to 3 m
The basement entry provides for the arrangement of the transition from HDPE pipes to a steel pipe, which is brought out of the building. This is a welded joint made in accordance with GOST 9.015-74
The commissioning works are carried out using the proven method and are regulated by SNiP 2.04.08-87. Equipment and fittings are manufactured in the factory and assembled on site
HDPE pipes are used to connect the tank and transport gas to the consumer. Together with the pipes, the equipment regulating the pressure in the tank and the safety valve are mounted
Installation of a shutoff valve, gas leakage sensors, internal gas equipment, as well as connection to consumers (boilers, boilers, stoves, heating systems, gas generators, etc.)
A bright yellow warning tape is placed in a trench over the pipe. Backfilling of the trench and pit is done with sand
Stage 2 - gas tank transportation
Stage 3 - installation of the gas tank on a concrete slab
Stage 4 - preparation for basement entry
Stage 5 - installation of the basement in the house
Stage 6 - connecting the gas pipeline
Step 7 - Valve Installation and Diagnostics
Stage 8 - backfilling with sand
Sand filling (“castle”) is given special attention. They use river sand, not ordinary soil, because it prevents the spread of flame, performs the function of drainage, perfectly conducts the heat of the earth, protects the tank from deformation during possible movement of the soil.
On our site there is a series of articles devoted to the description of the installation technology of gas holders, we recommend that you read:
- The cost of installing a gas tank in a private house: prices for gasification work
- How to correctly determine the distance from the gas tank to the apartment building: choose a suitable place on the site
- Turnkey gas holder: how to install a gas tank and install equipment
How to choose a gas tank Antonio Merloni
When choosing the design and volume of the tank (one or more) are guided by the number of consumers and the intensity of use.
It is estimated that the volume of the gas holder is directly related to the area of the house, therefore they are repelled from this indicator. For example, for a house of 170 m², a 1650 liter tank is recommended.
Take into account the performance of equipment, which in gas tanks is associated with the amount of evaporated gas. The higher the temperature, the greater the performance.
With an independent choice, you may encounter difficulties, so manufacturers recommend consulting a specialist with a site visit. The engineer analyzes the individual technical features of the building and selects the best option from the variety of gas holders.
You can learn about the features of Antonio Merloni equipment and the secrets of installing a gas tank from useful videos.
On the advantages of autonomous gasification and gas tank installation:
In detail about the technical nuances of the equipment:
Product reviews and installation quality:
Gas tanks Antonio Merloni have established themselves as reliable, efficient, durable equipment for arranging autonomous suburban gas supply. Choosing the optimal volume tank, you can forget about the problems with heating, air conditioning and water supply.
Have experience using an Italian manufacturer's gas holder? Please tell us what technical parameters you took into account when choosing a tank, are you satisfied with the work of autonomous gasification? Comment on the publication and participate in discussions. The feedback block is located below.