Buffer Vessels for Optimal System Performance


World Heat Cylinders are leading UK manufacturers of high-quality heating and chilled water buffer vessels, specifically designed to enhance the efficiency, longevity, and stability of modern HVAC systems. Indeed, a buffer vessel, also known as a buffer tank or thermal store (for heating circuits), adds essential thermal mass to a system. This, subsequently, helps to optimise the performance of primary heat sources or chillers, particularly those prone to short cycling.


Large red horizontal storage calorifier being crane-lifted onto a truck at WH Cylinders facility
Large red horizontal storage calorifier being crane-lifted onto a truck at WH Cylinders facility
Large red horizontal storage calorifier being crane-lifted onto a truck at WH Cylinders facility
Two Red Calorifiers
Two Red Calorifiers
Compact domestic buffer vessel by World Heat for heating systems.
Compact domestic buffer vessel by World Heat for heating systems.
Horizontal Red Calorifier
Horizontal Red Calorifier


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Key Benefits of Installing System Buffer Tanks


Consequently, integrating a correctly sized buffer tank into your heating or cooling system offers several significant advantages:

  • Reduced Equipment Cycling: Crucially, buffer tanks minimise frequent starting and stopping of boilers, heat pumps, or chillers. This, in turn, reduces wear and tear and can also extend equipment lifespan.
  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Furthermore, by allowing equipment to run for longer, more optimal periods, these thermal stores help to improve overall system energy efficiency.
  • Enhanced System Stability: They provide a thermal buffer, thereby ensuring more stable operating temperatures and preventing rapid fluctuations.
  • Optimised Heat Pump Performance: Particularly for air source and ground source heat pumps, buffer tanks ensure minimum system volume requirements are met, which is, in fact, essential for efficient operation and defrost cycles.
  • Support for Low-Loss Headers: Additionally, they are often used in conjunction with low-loss headers to decouple hydraulic circuits effectively.
  • Storage for Multiple or Modulating Sources: Moreover, this allows for better management of systems with multiple or modulating heat sources, such as biomass boilers.


Applications for WH Cylinders Thermal Buffers


Our versatile tanks can be connected to many different types of systems, including, for example:

  • Heating systems with gas, oil, or electric boilers
  • Biomass boiler installations
  • Air source and ground source heat pump systems
  • Solar thermal systems (albeit as part of a combined setup)
  • Air conditioning and chiller circuits (chilled water buffer vessels)
  • Combined heating and cooling applications

Essentially, any system that benefits from added thermal mass or hydraulic separation can utilise our buffer units.



Buffer Tank Materials, Sizes & Specifications


We manufacture these essential system components from a range of high-quality materials to suit diverse applications and budgets, for instance:

  • Mild Steel Buffer Vessels: A cost-effective solution for closed-loop heating systems.
  • Stainless Steel Buffer Vessels: Providing superior durability and corrosion resistance, thus ideal for demanding applications and long lifespan requirements (e.g., Duplex stainless steel).
  • Galvanised Mild Steel Buffer Vessels: Offering enhanced protection for specific water conditions.

Our standard thermal buffer range spans from compact 10-litre units (often referred to as volumisers or inline buffers) up to large 10,000-litre tanks. Because of this extensive range, we can cater for any building, from a small canal boat requiring minimal buffering to a large office block, school, or hospital with significant system volume needs.

All our buffer units can be supplied with a high-quality cased finish. Furthermore, they feature high-density, high-efficiency polyurethane injection insulation. This, consequently, ensures they meet current UK building regulations and Energy-Related Products (ErP) legislation where applicable.



Custom Buffer Tank Design & Manufacturing


As with all WH Cylinders products, we offer a comprehensive bespoke design service. Consequently, you can specify exactly what heat inputs, outputs, connection sizes, and orientations you require for your custom tank. We can, for example, manufacture buffer tanks as vented or pressurised units. Moreover, options include direct connections, indirect coils (single or twin coil configurations) for multiple heat sources, or specialist internal baffling.

Indeed, our experienced design engineers are available to assist you in specifying or designing the perfect buffer solution tailored to your unique project requirements. Whether it’s a non-standard size, specific pressure rating, or unique port configuration, we have the expertise to deliver.



Contact Us for Your Buffer Tank Requirements


To discuss your heating or chilled water buffer system requirements, or for assistance with sizing and specification, please get in touch with our technical sales team.

Therefore, call us on 0161 343 8610, email sales@whcylinders.co.uk, or visit our contact page.