View Full Version : Water Pressure
enginetorque
Sep 8, 2007, 07:21 AM
Hi folks - domsetic water supply - pumped from a well up to a holding tank - stored until house plumbing (ie tap/faucet etc) is operated. If... I double the size of the holding tank (given the height will remain the same) will the pressure increase at the tap/faucet and by how much pro-rata?:confused:
Thanks
Capuchin
Sep 8, 2007, 07:31 AM
I don't think so.
hydrostatic pressure is given by \rho g h where \rho and g are constants and h is the height of the system.
I've moved this to plumbing where the guys will be able to give you a better answer and will be more familiar with this kind of problem.
jlisenbe
Sep 8, 2007, 08:12 AM
The answer is no... sort of. Your initial pressure will not increase since it is the height of the water that matters, not the volume. However, more volume will mean the pressure will tend to stay higher as it will take longer to draw down the volume of water in the tank. Also bear in mind that increasing the size of the holding tank will increase the weight. Make sure you have the structure in place to hold it. Water weighs, if I remember correctly, about 7 pounds per gallon.
enginetorque
Sep 9, 2007, 01:54 AM
Hang on - so it's height rather than volume that creates pressure - understood - BUT you then go on to sugges that more volume makes the pressure stay higher for longer - I guess that sort of makes logic as the height will remain higher for a longer period - right?
Apreciate your structural concerns - yep
Thanks
jlisenbe
Sep 9, 2007, 02:07 PM
Yes. What volume do you have now?
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