Water Lifted By Compressed Air
For Municipal, Manufacturing, Irrigation or Other Water Supply

Piston-Like Layers. AIösI an- lift propositions are deep well cases—that is, the water is if «1 a distance greater than 25 feet; and just in proportion as the p “'TT r-get av,ay frOm the aerated form ldea and reach ‘,’æ 'le Sys‘em Of l’lston-blæ layers. To understand the distinction and the importance of proper pipe proportions let us take an exago-er- ±lCaSe’ ’Î To lmVe a?ft °f’ Say’ 100 feet and a diameter of notion pipe of 12 feet. Such a case as this is impracticable, and no matter how much air is discharged into this pipe it is likely to use in the shape of bubbles, some of them larger than others, because as they ascend they cohere; but piston-like layers can only be formed hMd° orT-awiP! ? t!11S Under conditions where there is a sufficient head 01 height of discharge and an enormous volume of water In other words, the volume of water admitted to this pipe of large diam- mîttAdUSt be SUfficient t0 keeP Pace with the Jarge volume of air ad- The economy of the Air Lift System is in direct proportion to e capacity of the well to form piston-like layers, and the reason why these layers are formed is that after the first discharge there is kePt up a constant struggle between the air under pressure and the head of water on the outside of the pipe, each one seeking to enter the lower end of the eduction pipe. When the air pressure is greater • t Hf*]10 h/ad ° Water a Certam volume of compressed air is admitted ran°idhrendU T Watei‘ in this pipe is at that time m<>vma thf < ,UfWard; *hat 1S’ lts momentum has been established. Hence e an takes up this velocity and goes upward with the water If a suffident quantity of air has been admitted in proportion to the diam etei of the pipe, and if there is a sufficient pressure in this nine tn bnbwnt fthe free djscharge of the air> we can see how readily this bubble of air spreads itself across the diameter of the pipe in a piston ike condition The reason why this air piston is not elongated and with 1S * laVhe free dischar^e of the air, aided bv the velocity with winch everything in the eduction pipe is moving, causes a fall in the air pressure just sufficient to allow the head of water to press the water mto the air space from the open end of the eduction nine In other words, as the air pressure is slightly lowered the water pressure, which was nearly equal to the air pressure, becomes a little ^eater and a piston-like layer of water enters the pipe, shutting the air. Ihis ' chunk” of water rises in the eduction ’pine with ve ocity equal to that of the air, and, as it has plugged off the air nozzle, there is a momentary rest, during which the air has a chance to accumulate greater pressure, and iust as soon «« i+c comes that of the water the conditions an "evUe/T™ T' ehunk > of compressed air is discharged into the pipe, shuttZ oï