The Sullivan Air Lift Pumping System

” Straight Air Lift Types of Straight ' Air Lift (al <t» <c> Sketches illustrating forms of “ Straight ” Air Lifts and careful investigation as to methods of mixing air and water, proper proportioning of piping, et cetera, have almost doubled this figure; and increasingly satisfactory results are being secured by careful study of the laws governing this work, by the care in in- stallation and the improved methods and equipment used by this company. A discharge consisting of alternate plugs of air and water is a common result of most forms of air lift in which open-end piping is used, and which is generally termed the “straight air” system. Al- though at times, a more or less constant discharge is secured, this is considered one of the vagaries of the system and the cause is not thoroughly understood. There are three general systems of “straight air” pumping. 1. The Outside System. (See “A” in the cut above) in which the air is carried down outside of the eduction pipe, into which it is connected a short distance above the bottom. 2. The Central Pipe System. (Sketch “C”) in which the air is carried down through a pipe suspended inside the eduction pipe and allowed to discharge into the water through an open end. 3. The Reservoir System. (Sketch “B”) in which an eduction pipe is suspended in a casing, allowing the air to pass down be- tween the two and mix with the water at the bottom of the eduction pipe. In all of these systems the principle is much the same. Pressure is built up in the air passage until it is sufficient to overcome the head 6