Surge Tank: Difference between revisions
→Known Deficiencies
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Matt Parnell (talk | contribs) |
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** There was, at some point, a Fisher valve installed. A stainless steel float ball, with piping for hydraulic control, is still present in the tank. It is not known when this was removed and replaced with manual isolation valves. | ** There was, at some point, a Fisher valve installed. A stainless steel float ball, with piping for hydraulic control, is still present in the tank. It is not known when this was removed and replaced with manual isolation valves. | ||
* The isolation valves between the pool and surge tank are failing or have failed. It appears that in [[Club History#2016]], the pool drain valve failed to the point that it could no longer be turned. In response to this, an additional butterfly valve was installed <i>inside</i> the surge tank to allow the pool to be shut down (all water from the pool must be isolated). This is very risky, as the drain isolation cannot be accessed from outside the surge tank. Watching a service person open or close this valve is an "interesting" event. | * The isolation valves between the pool and surge tank are failing or have failed. It appears that in [[Club History#2016]], the pool drain valve failed to the point that it could no longer be turned. In response to this, an additional butterfly valve was installed <i>inside</i> the surge tank to allow the pool to be shut down (all water from the pool must be isolated). This is very risky, as the drain isolation cannot be accessed from outside the surge tank. Watching a service person open or close this valve is an "interesting" event. | ||
* The surge tank drain-to-sump valve has nearly failed. During the pool closing in 2021, the service person had a very difficult time opening this valve. If it breaks, the pool cannot be opened. | |||
* The exit pipe is oddly routed, likely in response to a cheap fix when piping was replaced. The exit pipe should be straight, eliminating a multitude of 90's between the surge tank and the strainer basket. | * The exit pipe is oddly routed, likely in response to a cheap fix when piping was replaced. The exit pipe should be straight, eliminating a multitude of 90's between the surge tank and the strainer basket. | ||
* The tank leaks at several penetration points. Rudimentary fixes with hydraulic cement have been attempted, but many are failing. | * The tank leaks at several penetration points. Rudimentary fixes with hydraulic cement have been attempted, but many are failing. | ||
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* The inside surface of the tank has deteriorated and must be stripped and coated for longevity. | * The inside surface of the tank has deteriorated and must be stripped and coated for longevity. | ||
* There is no overflow pipe. It was capped-over at some point. This is a minor code issue. | * There is no overflow pipe. It was capped-over at some point. This is a minor code issue. | ||
=== Work-Arounds === | |||
* To address the lack of modulating valve, the drain return valve is set to be only partially opened. By doing so, only a portion of the pump demand is met by the drain return. The rest must be supplied by the gutter return. This works to an extent, but: | |||
** If the pool water level is too low, insufficient gutter flow can lead to a critically low level in the surge tank. At this point, the automation system will shut down the main pump for safety. This is typically mitigated by engaging the auto-fill (which also feeds into the surge tank). | |||
** When the pool is very active, there is no way to reduce drain return flow to increase gutter return flow. Hence, the gutters are prone to overflow during busy periods. | |||
* Some additional patching has been applied to seal leaks, but it has shown to be ineffective. As of 2021, small but persistent leaks were observed. | |||
== Future Overhaul == | == Future Overhaul == | ||