backflows
Water going backward
Backflows are instances of liquid flowing in the reverse of its intended direction.
The term appears most often in plumbing and water systems, where backflow can contaminate clean water supplies: The city installed devices to prevent backflows into the drinking water system.
A backflow preventer stops contaminated water from flowing backward into potable lines.
Improper pipe linkage
- backpressureResistance opposing fluid flow
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- drainageLiquid removal system
Current opposing another
- refluxBackward liquid movement
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- inversionReversal of position
- retrogradeMoving in reverse direction
Fluid-moving machine
- valveFluid flow controller
- hydraulicsStudy of pressurized liquids
- pressureForce upon contact
- siphonLiquid transfer tube
circulation · filtration · compressor · turbine · mechanism · actuator · gearbox · counterflow
Obstruction halting movement
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
bottleneck · stoppage · backup · dam · chokepoint · restriction · snarl · buildup
cross-connection
Improper pipe linkage
- backpressureResistance opposing fluid flow
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
counterflow
Current opposing another
- refluxBackward liquid movement
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- inversionReversal of position
retrograde · backwash · ebb · recoil · surge · eddy · recirculation
pump
Fluid-moving machine
- valveFluid flow controller
- hydraulicsStudy of pressurized liquids
- pressureForce upon contact
siphon · circulation · filtration · compressor · turbine · mechanism · actuator · gearbox · counterflow · upstream
blockage
Obstruction halting movement
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
impediment · bottleneck · stoppage · backup · dam · chokepoint · restriction · snarl · buildup · debris
failure
Lack of success