Vortex Inhibitors

As the name suggests this specialized pipefitting prevents initiation of vortices within a tank when the contained liquid is being extracted and assists in maximizing, effective tank capacity.

Fitted internally to a tank’s Cold Feed Outlet Pipe this fitting ensures, with no requirement for great inherent strength, moving or maintainable parts, liquid is drawn from a wide area within the vessel, dramatically reducing the entrance flow velocity and hence the initiation of surface vortices.

This allows the maximum possible drawdown of the liquid’s surface level.                                                           

Why is it beneficial to prevent vortex formation?

Air entrainment and its resultant choking effect on full flow discharge is eliminated whilst potential damage to pump equipment, through over speeding, is safeguarded.By converting linear flow to radial flow it prevents a straight stub pipe from drawing liquid from a localized area within the tank, thus minimizing the risk of vortex formation.

The design parameters of the Vortex Inhibitor ensure the flow velocity at its entrance is 6 x less than the pipe flow velocity, which it feeds.