Pumping into the distribution lines
Pumping into the distribution lines
(OP)
I'm building a system for about 10 homes. I would like to pump into the distribution system to avoid running/maintaining two tubes to the reservoir. I would like to turn on/off the pump with a standard pressure switch and a nearby pneumatic tank to avoid running wires to the reservoir.
At the reservoir, I am trying to figure out the best design to shut off the water when the tank is full but with only one feeder tube. If it makes a difference, pump flow will be less than 1 liter/sec. and lift between the pump and reservoir is 60 meters (84 PSI).
Two questions:
1. Is the pump turning on and off going to spike the pressure to a home nearby (10 meters higher and 75 meters away running in a 1" tube). I'd think not with a pneumatic tank in line, but one never knows.
2. My plan to turn off the water at the top is to have the one distribution tube branch at the tank. One branch will go against a one way valve at the bottom of the reservoir not allowing water to flow into the reservoir from the bottom, and the second branch will go to the top and be closed by a float valve when the tank is full. Is this a good design practice? I just sort of made it up because I can't find any good reference on how to design something like this without electric circuits.
At the reservoir, I am trying to figure out the best design to shut off the water when the tank is full but with only one feeder tube. If it makes a difference, pump flow will be less than 1 liter/sec. and lift between the pump and reservoir is 60 meters (84 PSI).
Two questions:
1. Is the pump turning on and off going to spike the pressure to a home nearby (10 meters higher and 75 meters away running in a 1" tube). I'd think not with a pneumatic tank in line, but one never knows.
2. My plan to turn off the water at the top is to have the one distribution tube branch at the tank. One branch will go against a one way valve at the bottom of the reservoir not allowing water to flow into the reservoir from the bottom, and the second branch will go to the top and be closed by a float valve when the tank is full. Is this a good design practice? I just sort of made it up because I can't find any good reference on how to design something like this without electric circuits.





RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
First, thanks very much for your comments. I'm obviously new to this stuff and its great to get the feedback. I'm attaching two drawings of what is going on. The lower drawing is 100% standard (at least I've seen the layout many times before). But, it requires that the upper (and all distribution) be shut off in order for the pump to stop pumping. So, the "upper" drawing is what I'm mostly interested in. I've never seen it before, but it seems like it would have to work.
Thanks again.
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
The flow rate of my source is small, so I need a reservoir somewhere to manage the peaks. Its already built at the top so it is not longer an option to move it.
Also, the 1" pipes go to homes from a 2" distribution line. Were you thinking 1" inadequate for a house or for the whole distribution system?
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
RE: Pumping into the distribution lines
The problem I can see with the two tank option is that you may end up with water quality problems in your upper tank. You need to make sure that you have sufficient water stored in the upper tank to allow for any power outage, yet at the same time you need to have enough turnover in the tank that the water doesn't become stagnant. You would need to design the system so that when the pneumatic tank was providing the water and the pumps was off, before the pump came back on some of the water from the upper tank drained out.
Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes.