Receiver tank (air receiver)

Receiver tanks are pressure vessels installed between a compressor and the distribution system. They store a buffer of compressed air to absorb demand spikes that would otherwise pull system pressure down faster than the compressor can respond, and they give condensed moisture and oil aerosols a quiet zone to drop out.

What it is

Industrial receivers are vertical or horizontal welded-steel tanks built to ASME Section VIII Division 1. Sizing rules of thumb range from 1 gallon per CFM for VSD machines up to 4-5 gallons per CFM for load/unload duty. They include a pressure gauge, a relief valve, an automatic condensate drain at the bottom, and inlet/outlet fittings sized to the line.

Why it matters

An undersized receiver forces a compressor to cycle on and off rapidly, which shortens motor life, wears valves, and creates an unstable distribution pressure. An oversized receiver smooths cycling and reduces compressor short-cycling, but ties up capital. The condensate drain is non-negotiable; a flooded receiver becomes a moisture source for the entire plant.

How it is used in our catalog

Receivers in the catalog are filterable by volume (gallons) and rated working pressure. They pair with every compressor; common matches are 120-gallon to 240-gallon receivers for small piston installs, and 400-1,500 gallon receivers for industrial rotary screw duty. Find a qualified installer for ASME certification and code-stamped install.

Common questions

How big should my receiver be?

For load/unload rotary screw duty, plan on 4-5 gallons per CFM. For VSD, 1-2 gallons per CFM is sufficient. Single-piston duty cycles benefit from larger receivers to reduce restart frequency.

Wet receiver or dry receiver?

A wet receiver sits between compressor and dryer and captures most condensate. A dry receiver sits downstream of the dryer and protects the dryer from demand surges. Many plants install both.