Selecting the right pump for any system is a delicate balance of physics, however, pumping fluid downhill adds another level of complexity to an already challenging topic: siphons. Understanding the intricate relationship between pump hydraulics and the potential to create a siphon is vital to avoiding costly mechanical failure and ensure efficient operations. In a recent article with The Georgia Operator, Water + Environment’s Senior Project Engineer Cameron Traylor, P.E., and Project Engineer Caleb Wilson, P.E., discussed the principles of pump hydraulics in downhill pumping systems, the fundamental changes in pump hydraulics when operating with negative static head and the benefits of various air release valve types.
Read the article, entitled “How to Pump Downhill: Mastering Pump Hydraulics and ARV Sizing for Optimal Efficiency,” located on page 39, here.
