Air Receiver Tank FAQ

An air receiver tank is a pressure vessel that stores compressed air between the compressor and the distribution network. It stabilises system pressure, reduces compressor on/off cycling, separates moisture from the air stream, and provides additional surge capacity during peak demand. Without a correctly sized receiver, your compressor works harder and wears faster.

A wet receiver is placed before the air dryer — it receives hot, moisture-laden air directly from the compressor discharge. The cooling effect inside the tank causes moisture to condense and drop out before reaching the dryer. A dry receiver is placed after the dryer and stores clean, treated air ready for immediate use. Most industrial compressed air systems benefit from having both — a wet receiver to protect the dryer, and a dry receiver to buffer demand at the point of use.

Both perform the same function. Vertical air receivers have a smaller floor footprint and are the most common choice for compressor rooms. Horizontal air receivers are better suited to low-headroom installations, plant rooms with overhead obstructions, or outdoor skid-mounted systems. We supply both orientations in all standard sizes.

Standard air receiver tanks are supplied with an inlet and outlet port, a manual drain valve, a safety/relief valve port, a pressure gauge port, and a drain at the bottom. We can also supply receivers fitted with auto-drain valves, sight glasses, and additional ports to suit your system layout.

A common industry rule of thumb is 6–10 litres of receiver capacity per kW of compressor output for rotary screw compressors. Examples: an 11 kW compressor pairs well with a 100–200L receiver; a 22 kW with a 200–500L; a 55 kW with a 500–1000L. However, the ideal size also depends on your peak demand cycle, the number of users, acceptable pressure drop, and whether you have a wet + dry receiver configuration. Contact us for a free sizing assessment.

We stock standard vertical air receiver tanks from 100L to 2000L. For larger requirements — 2500L, 3000L, 5000L, and 10 000L — we supply on order. Horizontal orientations are available in most sizes. Contact us for lead times on custom and large-volume orders.

Our standard range is rated at 11 bar working pressure, which suits the majority of rotary screw and piston compressor applications in South Africa. Higher-pressure vessels (for breathing air, nitrogen, or specialised applications) are available on request. Always match the receiver's design pressure to your system's maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP).

In most cases, yes — one correctly sized receiver is simpler and more cost-effective. However, split wet/dry configurations or multiple point-of-use receivers can be beneficial in large facilities where compressed air demand is spread across a wide area. Our technical team can advise on the most efficient layout for your application.

Yes. Every air receiver tank we supply is manufactured and certified to SANS 347 — the South African National Standard that governs the design, manufacture, testing, and documentation of pressure vessels. Each unit comes with the relevant certification documentation. This is a legal requirement for pressure vessels used in South African workplaces under the OHS Act.

SANS 347 (Categorization and Conformity Assessment Criteria for Pressure Equipment) is the South African standard that classifies pressure vessels by risk category and mandates testing, documentation, and conformity requirements for each category. Using a non-compliant pressure vessel in your workplace exposes you to legal liability and insurance risks. All receivers we supply are compliant — never purchase a pressure vessel without valid certification documentation.

Yes. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and SANS 347, pressure vessels must be inspected by a competent person at prescribed intervals — typically every 12 to 36 months depending on the vessel's category, working pressure, and contents. Inspection records must be kept on site. Contact us about pressure vessel inspection and recertification services across South Africa.

An uninspected pressure vessel can develop internal corrosion, pitting, or weld fatigue that is invisible from the outside. Failure can be catastrophic. Beyond the safety risk, operating a non-inspected pressure vessel is a contravention of the OHS Act and could void your insurance and expose management to criminal liability. We strongly recommend keeping your inspection records current.

Yes. We deliver air receiver tanks to all major South African cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Kimberley, and surrounding areas. We also supply to SADC countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, and the DRC.

Standard sizes (100L–2000L) are typically available from stock or with short lead times. Larger custom vessels, specialised pressure ratings, and hot-dip galvanized finishes require additional lead time. Contact us with your requirements and we will confirm availability and estimated delivery timeframe immediately.

Yes. We supply complete compressor + receiver packages including our Budget Air rotary screw compressor range paired with the correct receiver size, air dryer, filters, and associated pipework. Turnkey packages simplify procurement and ensure every component is correctly matched. Request a package quote from our team.

Yes. We can supply custom air receiver tanks to your specification — including non-standard capacities (2500L, 3000L, 5000L, 10 000L+), custom pressure ratings, special orientations, and additional port configurations. All custom vessels are manufactured to SANS 347 and supplied with full certification documentation. Lead times apply — contact us with your specs for a quotation.

Manual drain valves should be opened at the end of each working day, or more frequently in high-humidity environments or during heavy production. Auto-drain valves can be fitted to automate this. Condensate left inside the receiver accelerates internal corrosion and degrades air quality downstream. We recommend fitting an automatic condensate drain on all receivers in continuous-duty applications.

Air receiver maintenance includes: daily/weekly condensate draining; monthly visual inspection of all fittings, valves, and the vessel exterior; annual inspection of the safety relief valve (test by lifting the ring); and periodic full inspection by a competent person as required by SANS 347. Keep all inspection records on file. Contact us for a service plan tailored to your operation.