Siphon Weir Valve Flow Control Without Wall Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow control devices in water treatment systems, such as submerged valves, are costly, require significant maintenance, and can lead to cross-contamination and structural reinforcement challenges due to high water forces and flow velocities, especially in large-scale plants.
Innovation Solution
The siphon weir valve (SWV) provides flow control between two tanks using inverted 'U' shaped conduits with valved openings, allowing air to be evacuated or introduced to initiate and stop flow, offering 'on/off' and rate control capabilities, and is designed to be less expensive and more maintenance-friendly, with reduced concrete construction costs and inherent prevention of cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional submerged valves are used to control flow between tanks, then flow control capability is provided, but the cost of the plant increases significantly due to valve cost, structural reinforcement requirements, and additional formwork
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve from the wall structure entirely. Instead of installing a valve within the concrete dividing wall requiring openings and reinforcement, the siphon valve is mounted on the surface of one tank, eliminating the need for wall openings and structural reinforcement while maintaining flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a siphon tube as an intermediary element that transfers liquid between tanks without requiring a valve in the wall. The siphon tube acts as a mediator that uses atmospheric pressure and gravity to control flow, replacing the need for expensive mechanical valves embedded in concrete structures
2Productivity
If a large opening is provided in the concrete wall for a conventional valve, then the valve can handle high flow rates, but the wall requires extra reinforcement to withstand water forces and prevent deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is completely removed from the wall structure. The siphon valve system does not require any opening in the concrete dividing wall, eliminating the need for reinforcement around valve openings while maintaining the ability to handle high flow rates through the siphon mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control mechanism is moved from the wall plane to the tank surface. Instead of cutting an opening through the wall thickness, the siphon valve operates at the surface level, using the atmospheric pressure differential to control flow without compromising wall integrity
3Ease of operation
If conventional submerged valves are used, then flow can be controlled, but servicing the valve requires shutdown and draining of both tanks or installation of secondary isolation means
Solution Approach 1:
The siphon valve design allows for easy disconnection and removal from the tank surface without requiring wall openings. The flexible hose connection enables the valve to be quickly detached, drained, and serviced while the tank remains filled, eliminating the need for complex shutdown procedures or secondary isolation valves
4Ease of operation
If conventional submerged valves are used in drinking water plants, then flow control is provided, but cross-contamination between adjacent tanks cannot be prevented due to leaks within design tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the valve from the wall and using a siphon mechanism with atmospheric pressure control, the system eliminates the sealed wall penetration required by conventional valves. The siphon valve can be completely vented to atmosphere, breaking the siphon action and preventing any cross-contamination through the valve mechanism
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The SWV reduces operational and construction costs, simplifies maintenance, prevents cross-contamination, and effectively manages flow rates in large-scale water treatment systems by distributing water momentum downward, minimizing equipment damage and structural reinforcement needs.
Implementation Method 1
The siphon valve uses a closed conduit forming a path generally in the shape of an inverted 'U' to transfer liquid over a dividing wall between two tanks
Implementation Method 2
Flow is started by sucking liquid into the conduit
Implementation Method 3
Flow is started by sucking liquid into the conduit and stopped by venting the conduit
Implementation Method 4
effectively manages flow rates in large-scale water treatment systems by distributing water momentum downward, minimizing equipment damage
Data Source
AI summary
A device allows a liquid to flow between two open structures with different liquid surface elevations separated by a wall. The device has a conduit with an inlet on one side of the wall and an outlet on the other side of the wall separated by a high point above the expected liquid surface elevation. The conduit also has two valved openings, one connected to a source of suction that can evacuate air from the conduit and the other connected to a vent. In one example, the conduit is formed between a pair of spaced transverse walls attached to an arched cover. The transverse walls each have a slot allowing the device to be placed on top of a dividing wall between two tanks with surfaces of the dividing wall defining part of the conduit. In an example with multiple conduits, one or more interior walls are provided between a pair of end walls and a cover over the interior and end walls may be provided in segments. To initiate flow, a conduit is evacuated of sufficient air to allow a siphon to develop. To stop the flow, sufficient air is allowed to enter the conduit through the vent valve to break the siphon. To control the rate of flow in a device with multiple conduits, flow can be permitted in just some of the conduits. Flowrate through a conduit can also be varied by controlling the volume of air at the top of a conduit.