siphon pipe height limit? 1

[PanamaRed]

Is there a limit to the height of a siphon pipe above the supply pond elevation?

assume an example:
Pond A water surface elevation = 100 feet
Pond B WSE = 85 feet
Friction and minor losses in piping less than 5 feet

What is the maximum elevation, or delta "Z", that the connecting pipe between the two ponds can be laid at and still maintain siphon. We are looking into using a siphon to transfer storm water from one pond to the next. We can "charge" or fill the siphon line with a small pump, use valving to initiate the flow and utilize HDPE pipe to minimize air infiltration.

Is there a fly in the ointment or does this seem feasible?

 

[BobPE]

Siphons should be disigned so the the maximum vacuum which initially forms in the crown of the pipe, does not exceed 75% of atmospheric pressure at your location and is measured from the crown of the pipe to down to the hydraulic grade line, not water surfaces. Now considering that atmoshperic pressure changes, you should look at a typical range of pressures and design accordingly. Since storm events would most likely be the time for siphon operation, you may want to seriously consider using .75 of the minumum recorded atmospheric pressure.

Your priming method sounds like it makes sense, but I think we need more infor to determine if it could really work. The design of your inlet and outlet structures is very important to to take into account blockage and submergence.

Hope I helpd....

Bob