The PULSCO LEGACY

For over 90 years, PULSCO has developed custom engineered solutions to provide surge control, pulsation control, and industrial noise control to a growing and diverse group of industries. With the capability to design and supply complete systems, PULSCO is your trusted source for specifications, systems and drawings designed to meet specific performance requirement for fluid, steam or gas and environment. PULSCO also provides Professional Surge Analysis/Consultancy and Field Commissioning.

PULSCO’s team of experienced engineers is dedicated to protecting your capital assets. Key design goals for our ‘engineered’ systems include delivering a robust solution featuring best-in-class performance, little-to-no maintenance, a long life cycle, on-time and within budget. From Aerospace/Defense, Process Management, Municipal water/wastewater and Hydrocarbons, PULSCO has the technology, personnel and standards to exceed expectations.

AIR OVER WATER OR BLADDER SYSTEMS?

PULSCO takes into consideration the specific project needs before recommending one system over the other. In direct contrast, some manufacturers recommend only bladder systems or only air-over-water systems, often citing misinformation as fact, and usually promoting a narrow view.

Design

 Bladder systems are recommended for smaller tank volumes or at sites that have limited access to power or onsite maintenance personnel.  A flexible bladder membrane maintains the separation of gas and fluid, preventing gas from being absorbed into the fluid.  PULSCO selects bladder materials to meet chemical and environmental requirements for conveyance of fluids including  potable water, raw water, fuels, oil, liquid propane, and ammonia.

Air-over-Water systems can be designed for any volume, where the tank size limited only by shipping restrictions and site limitations. The air compressor provides a local source of compressed air to recharge the tank when needed. The system is controlled automatically using a control panel and other system components.

Operation and Maintenance

 Bladder systems have fewer components to install and maintain. Once the system has been confirmed to be running properly, minimal human interaction is required for operation. While not necessarily required, it is recommended that monitoring instrumentation be installed to improve maintenance and assist in troubleshooting. Service of the bladder demands isolation of the tank.

Air-over-Water systems appurtenances and controls automatically adjust the level to keep it in the intended range, making the system more resistant to the effect of small leaks in valves, or joint connections. Typical maintenance on the Air-over-Water equipment can be performed without isolating the tank. The air compressor and instrumentation needs to be maintained in good condition, and the solenoid valves should be activated periodically.

Cost of Ownership

 The cost of a system is dictated by the size and pressure rating of the tank, by the operating pressure of the system, and by the instrumentation and controls chosen. Generally speaking and assuming proper skill set of operators and maintenance personnel, cost of ownership may favor Bladder systems for volumes up to 2000 gallon, and favor Air-over-Water systems for volumes over 6000 gallons.