The self-filling siphon, and why can't it be done?

[onthecuttingedge2005]

you could try something like this.

you might have to prime the tank to get the pressure flowing.

Jerry

[Nabo00o]

Okey so the thing I learned when it didn't work was that the weight was absorbed by the structure it was hanging from, just like the structure it is resting on. So therefore you cannot make use of the weight in a reversed U turn like I first though, there is only hydrostatic pressure then.
But the weight of the water is still exerting its force on the surface which keeps it from falling down.
So, if that surface was chosen to be some kind of wick or capillary structure which was also connected to the bottom for the intake of water, we should not loose the force of the water's weight as when we only used a reversed U turned siphon. Does this idea sound plausible?

I didn't use too much time to make this, the brown pipe is the capillary structure which will absorb water until filled. The smaller gray  pipe is where the water will be hanging, and thus exerting its direct weight on the pressure inside the wick. It could of course only be one pipe, or it could be many small ones, even a capillary structure but it should be able to hold more water.
Any suggestions are welcome!
Julian

Edit: It should probably 'not' be a capillary structure, nothing must block its weight from hanging.

[Nabo00o]

Sorry for not responding, have been away for a bit, and no I've haven't made the "perpetual motion machine" yet
Even if it isn't its purpose, your sketch makes me think that you are using the mineral oil as a piston, and are thus using the weight of the above-resting fluid to push the water up, but then it could just as well have been water, hmm... Kinda like Hero's fountain!

But, it seem like it is perfectly possible both theoretically and practically to make the capillary structure absorb liquid at a lower point and loose it at a higher point. If we imagine a thin pipe which by its capillary action absorbs water to a certain hight. Then we make the pipe go down again before the equilibrium between the force of gravity and surface-tension arises and then slowly, while going down again increases its diameter. This would cause the force of surface-tension to weaken and possibly allow the gravity to "win" before it reaches below the bottom level as before.

This can seem a bit like a mix between  both capillary structures and siphoning   
But, is it possible? Is there anyone here who knows enough about surface tension to tell me this?
Bye, Julian.

[Nabo00o]

Wanting a better and faster way to calculate the hight which a capillary fluid can travel, I made this simple spreadsheet, it makes the calculations using the SI units. Of course there is nothing that keeps any of you from changing it into using the American standards if you feel like it, then you could even have posted it here afterwards with the new changes!

Also Jerry, it definitely seems like you are using the mineral oil as a piston to pump the water. Since the oil is lighter than water you need something lighter than it again if you want the third fluid to stay on the top.
If not then what does it do!?!?!? 
Julian

[onthecuttingedge2005]

Hi Naboo.

the Minerial oil acts like a piston and a medium to keep the Alcohol separated from the Water so they dont mix, since the Alcohol has a lower boiling point it will create a higher pressure zone to help push the water into and out of the capillary tube.

it was just a thought that might help you find what you are looking for but I am more interested in Super Solar Cells at the moment.

Good luck.
Jerry