Solar Expansion Tank
Solarplus solar expansion tanks are used as expansion vessels for solar systems. USA Roller chain and Sprockets (USARC) is a direct authorized distributor for Zilmet, a globally renowned Italy based manufacture of expansion tanks. The first "real" solar expansion tank was created by Zilmet nearly 15 years ago, they have been certified according to DIN 4757 to manufacture solar vessels since 1996. Since then the Solarplus series has become the benchmark for solar expansion tanks. USA Roller Chain is able to supply a complete system of expansion vessels that will satisfy any solar system manufacture's specifications.
Solar Expansion Tank Features
- Membrane expansion vessels manufactured according to PED-97|23|EC and EN 13831 Standards
- Suitable for closed solar energy heating systems according to DIN 4757 and EN 12977
- Uses ZILAN membrane which is a high-temperature membrane that resists up to 212°F
- ZILAN is resistant to various ethylene or propylene glycolic mixture and has low gas permeability
- Completely welded vessel making it particularly reliable and resistant up to a max pressure of 150 psi
- Painted with epoxy-polyester powder and available in white
- Easy to install and has DIN4807-3 certified membrane
How A Solar Expansion Tank Works
The solar expansion vessel must ensure that the solar system can work safely (DIN 4757 and EN 12997) inside the solar circuit, particularly during the standby
phase.
When inactive, modern solar collectors may reach temperatures up to 392 °F and consequently the fluid within the system can either evaporate or
reach levels that can damage all the elements in the solar energy system in time.
In order to be able to resist the highest possible inactivity temperatures, ZILMET has developed ZILAN membrane for SOLARPLUS that can
withstand up to 212 °F.
In case of high temperatures in the membrane of the expansion vessel, the vessel must be protected by an additional vessel (VDI 6002 directive).
All ZILMET expansion vessels are fit for the installation in the solar system according to DIN 4757 and EN 12977 and they work with a mixture of water
and propylene or ethylene glycol. The vessels are tested according to the Pressure Equipment Directive.
The membrane pressure expansion vessel ensures that the system pressure stays within the limits set in the planning phase. The membrane separates
the space inside the vessel occupied by the gas and by the solar liquid. The initial pressure of the gas side must be regulated before turning on the
system.
The membrane stretches along the gas chamber when the volume of the solar liquid increases because of the heat. Consequently, the available space
for the solar fluid increases and the pressure inside the system remains constant at the approved maximum value. But when the volume of the solar
liquid decreases because of the cooling, the membrane returns to the initial pre-established pressure value. The available space for the solar liquid
decreases and the pressure inside the system remains constant at the approved minimum value.
ZSP Solar Expansion Tanks
ZSP series solar expansion tanks by Zilmet is the most common series there is. The shell and connections of ZSP tanks is manufactured out of carbon steel, while the membrane is the proprietary ZILAN membrane by Zilmet, and it is coated with white epoxy-powder. These tanks come with a 3-year warrantee, have a maximum operating pressure of 150 psi, a factory pre-charge of 36 psi, and system operating temperature range of 14°F - 230°F (membrane= 14°F - 212°F).
3.2 - 6.6 Gallon Solar Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Connection
|
|
ZSP12
|
3.2 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
10.4"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
ZSP18
|
4.8 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
13.7"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
ZSP25
|
6.6 Gallons
|
11.8"
|
15.4"
|
3/4" NPT
|
9.2 - 13.2 Gallon Solar Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Dimension-E
|
Connection
|
|
ZSP35WF
|
9.2 Gallons
|
15.0"
|
14.4"
|
4.9"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
ZSP50WF
|
13.2 Gallons
|
15.0"
|
19.8"
|
5.7"
|
3/4" NPT
|
21.1 - 158.5 Gallon Solar Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Dimension-E
|
Connection
|
|
ZSP80
|
21.1 Gallons
|
17.7"
|
23.9"
|
5.9"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP105
|
27.7 Gallons
|
19.7"
|
26.2"
|
6.5"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP150
|
39.6 Gallons
|
19.7"
|
35.3"
|
8.5"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP200
|
52.8 Gallons
|
23.6"
|
32.0"
|
8.9"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP250
|
66.0 Gallons
|
24.8"
|
37.7"
|
9.6"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP300
|
79.3 Gallons
|
24.8"
|
43.5"
|
9.6"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP400
|
105.7 Gallons
|
24.8"
|
57.1"
|
9.6"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP500
|
132.1 Gallons
|
29.5"
|
52.8"
|
11.4"
|
1" NPT
|
|
ZSP600
|
158.5 Gallons
|
29.5"
|
61.2"
|
11.4"
|
1" NPT
|
Solarplus TM Expansion Tanks
Solarplus TM series tanks are vertical vessels with a bottom flange to allow membrane replacement when necessary. The maximum operating pressure for these vessels is 150 psi.
3.2 - 132.1 Gallon Solarplus TM Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-Ø
|
Height
|
Connection
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-12
|
3.2 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
11.7"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-18
|
4.8 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
15.4"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-24
|
6.6 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
18.1"
|
3/4" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-80
|
21.1 Gallons
|
17.7"
|
32.7"
|
1" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-100
|
26.4 Gallons
|
17.7"
|
35.8"
|
1" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-200
|
52.8 Gallons
|
21.7"
|
48.6"
|
1-1/2" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-300
|
79.3 Gallons
|
24.8"
|
53.7"
|
1-1/2" NPT
|
|
SOLARPLUS TM-500
|
132.1 Gallons
|
29.5"
|
61.4"
|
1-1/2" NPT
|
Accessories:
ZBH-B - Universal bracket for wall assembly up to 6.6 gallons
ZWH-H - Wall support for Solarflex up to 6.6 gallons
ZWH-HP - Wall support for Solarflex up to 6.6 gallons
ZWH-M - Fast assembly for 9.2 and 13.2 gallon tanks
ZSKV - 3/4" all metal butterfly solar valve
ZSKV - 1" all metal butterfly solar valve
ZSKE - 3/4" stop valve
---------
ZSP1 - Connecting vessel set, 19.7" long flexible pipe, 3/4" butterfly solar valve, and wall support
Additional Solar Vessel VSG
According to international regulations and actual experiences from Zilmet it is recommended with solar energy that when the fluid volume between the collector and expansion vessel is approximately 50% or less the volume (between the expanded diaphragm and the vessel inlet) that an additional vessel is used. This requisite is rarely carried out for heating systems placed on the roofs due to the fact that the piping is short.
The additional vessel can protect the membrane from excessive temperatures. The correctly sized additional
vessel allows the decrease in the temperature of the solar liquid in the expansion system. The shell and connections of additional ZSG tanks is manufactured out of carbon steel and it is coated with white epoxy-powder. The maximum operating pressure is 150 psi, the operating temperature range is 14°F - 230°F, and the VSG tanks come with a 5-year warrantee.
1.3 - 4.8 Gallon Solar VSG Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Connection
|
|
VSG5
|
1.3 Gallons
|
6.3"
|
10.4"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
|
VSG8
|
2.1 Gallons
|
7.9"
|
13.7"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
|
VSG12
|
3.2 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
10.4"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
|
VSG18
|
4.8 Gallons
|
10.6"
|
13.7"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
9.2 - 13.2 Gallon Solar VSG Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Dimension-E
|
Connection
|
|
VSG35
|
9.2 Gallons
|
15.0"
|
14.4"
|
4.9"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
|
VSG50
|
13.2 Gallons
|
15.0"
|
19.8"
|
5.7"
|
N°2 X 3/4" NPT
|
27.7 - 105.7 Gallon Solar VSG Expansion Tanks
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Dimension-E
|
Connection
|
|
VSG105
|
27.7 Gallons
|
19.7"
|
26.2"
|
6.5"
|
N°2 X 1" NPT
|
|
VSG200
|
52.8 Gallons
|
23.6"
|
32.0"
|
8.9"
|
N°2 X 1" NPT
|
|
VSG400
|
105.7 Gallons
|
24.8"
|
57.1"
|
9.6"
|
N°2 X 1" NPT
|
VSG Operation:
When there is excessively high temperature in the solar energy system (in some cases even vapor), the hot fluid mixes with the cold stagnant fluid in
the VSG vessel. Therefore we have a cooling of the hot fluid through dispersion in the VSG vessel. In this way the membrane of the SOLARPLUS vessel is
protected from excessive temperatures.
Solarplus Safe Solar Expansion Tanks
The solarplus safe is a revolutionary product because it combines the Solarplus and solar flow-through in-line vessels in only one expansion tank. The tank is suitable for the use in solar systems according to EN 12976 and EN 12977 (DIN 4757). The Solarplus Safe expansion vessel ensures safe operation of the solar expansion vessel even in case of excessive temperatures. These tanks require 40% less space and takes 50% less installation time, thus saving you money.
Solarplus Safe Technical Data:
Maximum Operating Pressure - 150 psi
Operating Tempiture Range - 14°F - 230°F
Maximum Tempiture on Membrane - 212°F
Factory Pre-charge Pressure - 36 psi
Membrane Type - ZILAN
Color - White Epoxy-Powder Coating
Warranty - 5 Years
4.8+1.6 Gallon Solarplus Safe Tank
|
Model
|
Capacity
|
Diameter-ØD
|
Height-H
|
Connection
|
|
|
Gallons
|
|
|
3/4" NPT
|
6.6+2.6 Gallon Solarplus Safe Tank
| Model | Capacity | Diameter-ØD | Height-H | Connection |
|---|
|
| Gallons |
|
| 3/4" NPT |
|---|
9.2+3.2 Gallon Solarplus Safe Tank
| Model | Capacity | Diameter-ØD | Height-H | Connection |
|---|
|
| Gallons |
|
| 3/4" NPT |
|---|
|
|
|
