All right, Tim. I pay you your nickel.
But, a std rot pump will pump something spinning reverse, but as you said, not much. I do like your thermosyphon, last ditch effort on nuclear reactor cooling after the first three back-up systems fail.
Agree, can't argue with Physics, heat rises. We have a solid state DC-to-DC power convertor water-chilled on the secondary loop, typ 85*F inlet water. Ships chilled water on primary loop, 40*F. DC tray condensates when unit is off, no pump. Ships Force come in turns on PA, smoke escapes the cabinet vents, condensate is on the connector, 300 VDC, or trying, don't mix. Other thick papered engrs ask why, pump is off, shouldn't happen. Me, with my diploma from School Of Hard Knocks, says "Heat rises." They reply "Oh man, expensive re-design." I say, "No its not, have the crew turn on the pump 24 hrs before operation, pump shear will heat the coolant and evaporate the condensate." "Problem goes away." The customer loved it.