The drainage of vessels and tanks by gravity is a technique that can be used in places where there is possibility of using the unevenness of the terrain, thus avoiding the use of pumps, simplifying the process and making the installation cheaper.
The correct dimensioning of drainage lines by gravity is fundamental to ensure that there will be always a flow of fluid, so that the line is never completely full.
The same principle is applied to the design of vessel and tank overflow nozzles, which are fundamental to ensure the structural integrity of the equipment under overflow conditions.
This topic addresses, among other things:
- Technical basis on gravity flows.
- The correct dimensioning of lines to carry gravity flows.
- The correct sizing of overflows (“thief”).
- Importance of vacuum breakers.
