Pump Station inside Computer

EternalRZ · June 18, 2018

So, nevermind how I plan to fit all this into a computer (already got that part covered), I pretty much designed a sort of a pump station for lack of a better word that is meant to allow the use of four pumps, operating in pairs and only one pair operating at a time. Additionally, the "pump station" allows the flow of water to be diverted between any combination of the four pumps should one or two pumps fail (hence why it's designed this way). The system this is being built into more or less requires as little downtime as possible, so in the event of a pump failure, I need to make sure that this thing can still run at least until its next scheduled maintenance period, when I can then be able to replace the defective pumps as well as not have to drain the whole loop to do so. I've attached a rather crude diagram (excuse my amazing artistic capabilities) of this pump station design, which would be made using less tubing and more EKWB connectors. Along with the valve configurations to allow all combinations required to keep this thing up and running.

I'd also like to know if it'd be better to let pumps 3 and 4 run on low speed and circulate a little loop of coolant or if it's okay to just let them sit there in coolant while disconnected from the system until they're needed. The coolant being used is also anti corrosive and anti microbial.

Also, ignore the pages that are mostly blank with just parts cut off at the top.

I'd really appreciate any constructive and helpful input on this. Thanks!

Pump Station Design.pdf

RollinLower · June 18, 2018

this should work. in my profession, this is actually a very common setup to prevent downtime in factories where every hour down means 100K lost.

it would be best to leave the unused pumps to remain off untill needed. if you use fluid without any particles that can settle this shouldn't be an issue. if you keep them running on low speeds it would be best for the fluid, but you would also introduce unneeded wear on the pumps. there will only be a little bit of fluid in the closed off system at a time anyway, and this is only relevant with thicker fluids like pastels or Primochill's VUE, where there's lots of particles suspended in the emulsion which can settle and form a thick mess on the bottom of the tubes. if you just use water and biocides/anti-corrosives this is a non-issue.

i love the idea! would be awesome to see it in action when you get to building this thing!