Closed loop up n going..
Hi,
Maybe I can help with an explaination....
When we siphon water from the tank, gravity propels the water. As long as the source water is higher than the destination, gravity will pull the water down. Even if the tubing has to rise two feet to clear the tank wall, as long as the source and destination height is different...it will siphon. The greater the distance between the two, the faster the water will flow (until piping losses overtake).
In a regular sump pump, the water is flowing in the opposite dirction (we are pumping from a low hight to a high height). We have to pump against gravity and piping losses.
In a closed loop, both siphon action and regular sump action occurs. Since the gravity is helping, the sump pump doesn't have to work as hard. Theoretically, the sump pump would only need to compensate for losses in the piping and bends. Gravity power from the siphon action should have enough power to push the water back up to the tank. Since losses are generally 0 to 3 feet of equivalent head, the sump pump gph will be very fast. This is quite interesting if your tank and sump are 20 feet (in height) from each other -- You would either need a massive pressure pump for a convential or a Ampmaster or Mag for a close loop system. Closed loop has been used in commercial systems like Lifegard and canister filters.
Hopefully it isn't too complicated. I hope that helps explain things.
- Victor.
[ 15 June 2002, 19:26: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]
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