Trap (plumbing)

A siphon or trap (of English. Trap, the trap, so odor trap) is a gas seal of piping systems and vessels. The operating principle is an S-shaped tube, the lower bend on the basis of communicating tubes always remains filled with water, thus restricting the passage of gases. At the same time, however, fluid can flow through the siphon.

Frequent application of the siphon is the trap of the sewers in the household, especially in sinks, toilets, sinks and drains. The discharge of malodorous gases from the sewer into the building is prevented. The prerequisite is that the sewer line of the house elsewhere, is usually through the roof, ventilated, so that no negative pressure in the sewers can occur and would lead to aspiration of the sealing water.

History

As the inventor of the siphon is considered the inventor of the modern water closets, Alexander Cumming. The first patent was granted the French Benoist in Paris on 19 June 1823.

Odor traps in the house installation

There are four modes: the tubes, bottles ( also siphon ), the baffle wall and the bell trap. Simplest form is the U-shaped Siphon. The bottle trap is often installed in bathrooms or for smaller hand basin due to its low depth to the wall or for aesthetic reasons. Another design, such as urinals, is the suction siphon. It operates on the siphon principle and draws the wastewater with significant negative pressure into the drain.

The water seal all drain traps is standardized according to DIN 1986-100. When it rains, water flows it is 100 mm, with dirty water flows 50 mm. Determining the minimum pressure in the line, which is necessary to overcome the siphon.

In siphon rarely used the water evaporates over time. In summer you can therefore dribble a few drops of cooking oil or glycerine into the drain. This hinders the escape of the water barrier and prevents unpleasant odor in the apartment before, if you are a long time ( about 1 week) absent.

Other applications

Following the same principle, a gas shutoff works at fermentation tanks or barrels of wine during fermentation (see also fermentation tube ), and a variety of other chemical processes of air. With sauerkraut pots, a water-filled edge, in which the lid is immersed, the siphon forms. The ball siphon is suitable for drainage of air-conditioning units and duct coolers with negative pressure relative to the surrounding area. He fills his own business and prevent the empty eye for pressure surges.