How Long Do Air Compressor Tanks Last | Ultimate Guide

Are you worried about your old air compressor tank? Tensed about how long will the air compressor tank last? Then worry not. Today we are here with the air compressor tank guideline.

The Air tank is one of the vital components of air compressors. In an air tank, compressed air is stored for further transportation to different air tools. So the larger the air tank of your air compressor is, the more flow of air you will get.

But what you need to keep in mind is the lifespan of the tank. All types of air compressor tanks may explode after a certain period of time. So it’s wise to replace the compressor tank rather than repair it.

In this article, we will not only show you the lifespan of air compressor tanks but also will provide tips on proper maintenance of tanks. So let’s grasp the chance to enter into the whole article.

Air Compressor Tank: at a Glance:

As we are here to talk about the air compressor tank first of all let’s have a quick view of an air compressor tank.

We all know that an air compressor is a pneumatic device. It sucks atmospheric air inside, then presses the air by reducing the volume. Finally, with this compressed air, you can run huge varieties of pneumatic tools.

Figure: An air compressor tank

Now the question is where this compressed air is kept? The answer is in the air tank of the air compressor. To store the compressed air there is a tank with a compressed air system. It is known as an air tank or air receiver tank.

A huge variety of air receiver tanks is available in the market. Some air tanks are horizontal and some are vertical.

A vital factor of an air compressor tank is the capacity of bearing pressure. As we all have known that compressed air has potential energy. And this energy has higher pressure that is measured by PSI (pound per square inch).

So air compressor tank must have the capacity of bearing the air pressure of the compressed air. Most air tanks can carry 150-200 PSI pressure. But there are some highly modified air tanks that can carry up to 3000 PSI (pound per square inch). If your project is to carry a paintball gun then you need such air compressors.

The Function of Air Compressor Tank:

• An Air tank or receiver tank is a vital component of an air compressor. It receives the compressed air, then preserves this air under pressure. And finally, it supplies this compressed air when you switch “On” the power tools.
• In some cases, the air tank acts as a minor heat exchanger. In the air tank, the temperature of the air gets reduced. As a result, moisture mixing with air condenses. So water separates from the air. In this way, an air tank sometimes plays the role of an air filter.
• In a nutshell, we can say that an air compressor tank not only stores air inside it but also separates water from compressed air.

Types of Air Compressor Tank:

The category of air compressor tank mainly depends on the types of air compressor. The commonly used air compressors are piston or reciprocating air compressors. And another is rotary screw air compressors. These two kinds of air compressors must have an air receiver tank.

The axial and centrifugal air compressors are high-capacity air compressors. These air compressors are for large industrial applications. So they are designed in such a way that compressed air is generated directly by pipeline to the working project.

Most of the piston air compressors have only one tank. The tank size of an air compressor is expressed by the term “Gallons”. You can find 2 gallons tank to 10000 gallons.

• The size of the tank mainly depends on the area of application. If you want to run small tools like tire inflators or do a cleaning job then you can handle these tasks with an 8 gallons pancake air compressor.
• But if your project is running a paint gun or nail gun then you need a bigger air tank (at least 30 gallons). Do you know why? Because for running a paint gun you need a continuous flow of air. And a larger tank can supply continuous airflow. So when you buy an air compressor first of all you need to focus on the project. Click how to choose an air compressor to select the best air compressor according to your project.
• The size of an air compressor tank mainly depends on the capacity of the compressor. A small pancake compressor with 2 horsepower capacity has a smaller air tank (maximum 8 gallons). On the other hand, a medium-sized air compressor with a horsepower of 6.5 has an air tank of 30 to 50 gallons.

The Lifespan of Air Compressor Tank:

• Normally the lifespan of an air compressor tank depends on the proper maintenance of it. If you don’t maintain the compressor in a systematic way then the whole system may damage within 8 to 10 years of buying.
• The main enemy of the air tank is rust. Do you know why does rust form? When oxygen gets in contact with the metal with the presence of water there occurs a chemical reaction. The by-product of this reaction is rust.
• Rust decreases the thickness of the metals of the tank. As a result, there is internal tearing and wearing. With the passage of time, there is leakage on the tank. In some cases, the compressor cannot carry the load of air pressure. So it can even cause the tank to blast sometimes.
• To get rid of the rust problem what you need to do is drain the water frequently. For draining the air tank there is a drain valve on the bottom of the air tank. You need to drain the air tank after every use by opening the drain valve/bladder valve.
• Again you need to check up the pressure tolerance capacity of the compressor tank. To check the strength of the compressor tank you can consult an expert at least once a year to get a longer lifespan from your air compressor.
• By following all the regular maintenance you can expect a lifespan of 25 to 30 years for your air compressor including the air tank.

Problems Caused by Rust:

• If the air tank gets rusty then you will face lots of problems. Firstly the air will mix with rust. This rusty air enters into the air tools. As a result, the tools may seriously damage.
• Another problem caused by rust is the blockage in the lines of the compressor. Rust may block the lines. Then regular flow of air reduces.
• When rust mixes with an air compressor tank, the tank will get fragile. It cannot bear the pressure of the compressed air. As a result, the tank may even blast causing serious injury to the users.

Repair vs. Replacement:

• Every machine needs some regular check-ups. Your air compressor also requires routine check-ups. Every year you must consult an expert for a routine check-up of the parts of the compressor.
• If any of the parts including the air tank gets damaged then it’s better to replace the faulty parts than repair them.
• Now the question is why not repair? Some of us prefer to repair than replace. Though replacement is costly, it ensures the efficiency of the compressor tank.
• If you repair the fault of the compressor then again another part of the compressor may malfunction. As a result, you have to take the whole system to the mechanic for repair.
• You can go for repair only if the warranty of the compressor exists. Some manufacturers give 5 years warranty. On the other hand, some provide 3 years limited warranty. If you face any kind of problems in this period then you can get service from the manufacturer.
• In most cases, air tank repairing is as expensive as a replacement if the warranty of the machine does not exist. For such a situation it is wise to go for the replacement of the faulty part.
• To sum up, we can say that if the compressor tank may affect by serious damage, for example; corrosion, internal tear and wear then you need to check up the level of tolerance of air pressure.

Maintenance of Compressor Tank:

To get better output from your air compressor system you must follow the regular maintenance of the compressor.

• If the tank fails to bear the air pressure then you should replace the air tank. But normally an air compressor tank can give smooth service at least 12-15 years
• And if you face any critical problem after this period of time then it’s better to go for replacement. Click how much is an air compressor to know the latest price of air compressors and parts.
• Keep the compressor away from water as water is the main enemy of the air compressor
• Release the pressure after every use of the compressor
• Drain the moisture of the tank by opening the bladder valve of the compressor
• If the bladder valve does not work properly then replace it
• Keep the compressor in a dry and open place
• Change the lubricants after every three months if your air compressor is oiled
• Use an air filter to separate the water from the air
• You can also use a moisture-absorbing chemical like silica-gel, sodium chloride, or sulphuric acid to keep the air tank free of moisture
• Clean the compressor with lubricants as lubricants help to prevent rust
• Keep the compressor in a well-ventilated room so that the compressor can get fresh air
• If the compressor tank is fragile then replace it as soon as possible to prevent blast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Question: Do air compressor tanks explode?

Answer: Yes, the air compressor tank may explode if the tank cannot bear the air pressure.

Question: What happens if the air compressor is not drained?

Answer: A huge amount of water will store in the air tank if the air compressor tank is not drained. As a result, the tank will be damaged by rust.

Question: Can I weld an air compressor tank?

Answer:  It’s not wise to weld an air compressor tank. Compressed air carries a huge amount of potential energy. And this energy gives huge pressure on the air tank. So there is a huge possibility of breaking down the welding for the extreme pressure of the air.

Question: How long should an air compressor last?

Answer: 20-25 years. If you maintain the compressor with a routine then you can get lifetime service from a compressor

Question: Can air compressor tanks kill people?

Answer: Yes, if the air compressor tank blasts then it can kill the user. Even the people from a 1-meter distance can be killed by the blasting.

Question: What kind of oil is the best for an air compressor?

Answer: PAG (Polyalkylene Glycol) oil the best for lubricating an air compressor.

The Closure:

An air compressor is a multi-tasking machine. From dawn to dusk we need the compressed air of the air compressor to run the power tools.

To get the right air compressor have a quick view of air compressor reviews.

The million-dollar question was how long do air compressor tanks last. The answer varies from user to user. If you properly maintain the compressor then you can get lifetime service (at least 25-30 years) from an air compressor.  And if you leave the compressor in a wet place, don’t drain the tank then the tank will expire after 10 to 12 years.