Pump Air Bubble
Pump Air Bubble
(OP)
I hope someone out there is able to help me on this question:
This is in regard to a cooling loop configuration. I have 1" ID vertical pipes with 180 deg bends on top/bottom. The top ones will most likely accumulate entrapped air after initial filling. The pipe is filled with water-glycol.
After the initial filling I need to get the air out of the system but I can not pump high rates. What would be a sufficient flow rate for the fluid to carry the air out of the system.
Much Thanks.
TM
This is in regard to a cooling loop configuration. I have 1" ID vertical pipes with 180 deg bends on top/bottom. The top ones will most likely accumulate entrapped air after initial filling. The pipe is filled with water-glycol.
After the initial filling I need to get the air out of the system but I can not pump high rates. What would be a sufficient flow rate for the fluid to carry the air out of the system.
Much Thanks.
TM





RE: Pump Air Bubble
Tim
RE: Pump Air Bubble
thanks for asking this questions. I should have noted in my initial question that I am restricted by the design to choose this very unfavourable layout.
I did some further calculations - with a 5 gpm flow rate I end up with turbolent flow with a velocity of around 2 ft/s. My gut feeling says that with the centrifugal effect and turbolent flow this will be sufficient to get the air out.
Any ideas.
TM
RE: Pump Air Bubble
RE: Pump Air Bubble
I will have an outside pump that I can elevate above the bends if necessary. I guess this is were you were heading...?
When pumping with the mentioned 2 ft/s there will be the fluid flow in the downwards direction after the 180 bends but the taken air bubbles will tend to rise again. Some slippage occurs and a resultant velocity will be establish. Any ideas what the rise velocity of air bubbles will be in this situation?
TM
RE: Pump Air Bubble
If it is an open system, you may never be able to eliminate air out of that bend without an auto air vent at the top of the 180 return. An auto vent would remove air after a large amount accumulates. Not ideal, but it would work. If this fluid can't be released to atmosphere, I think the vent can be discharged to a drain.
A manual vent can also be used (1/2" ball valve) in this situation.
RE: Pump Air Bubble
RE: Pump Air Bubble
RE: Pump Air Bubble
currently thinking in using several 'tap-in' points with various valves to be able to circulate in multiple flow paths one at the time. That should be feasible but probably not the best solution.
jonralph,
nope - can not use a pig because there are filters in the system. I have thought about that as well because I used sponge pigs for cleaning beer pipes back in the days when I used to work in a pub.
TM
RE: Pump Air Bubble