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

Method No. 2. Saunders Air Lift System.—Figs. 2 and 4 In some instances a well does not admit the use of the side inlet system, when the Saunders air lift system may be used. A central tube is suspended inside the well while the air passes down between it and the well casing. The water is then discharged through the central tube, as shown in Fig. 2. Where the well is not cased a special pipe of less diameter than the well is inserted to a point reaching to a suitable depth and air inlet and discharge pipes are inserted in the manner shown in Fig. 4. In estimating the capacity of this system it is usual to allow quan- tities as follows : Height of Lift. 25 ft. 50 ft. to 125 Gals, of Water per min. per sq. in.—Area Water Pipe. 10 to 11 gallons to each square inch area of water nine 12 to 15 “ “ “ “ “ 1 .. In the case of salt wells with a natural flow, or those in which water is pumped down to dissolve the salt, and later is raised as brine, we advise the use of this system. See special mention of this subject on page 41. Method No. 3. Central Air Pipe System.—Fig. 3. (he third or central air pipe system reverses the arrangement already described, and is used to obtain the greatest possible output for a given size of well-casing, provided the well is cased to admit of a 50 per cent, submergence of the air pipe, which is suspended inside. The air passes down the central pipe, the water and air discharging between the air pipe and the well easing. The size of the air pipe depends on length and volume of air it is to carry and pressure. This is not as economical as 1 and 2, but may be used where the well is very strong and a great deal of water is wanted from a few wells. The proper size of air pipe for different sized casings and the capacity to be expected are about as follows, depending on the lift and submergence: Size of Casing. Size of Air Pipe. Capacity. 3^ in. 4 in. 5 in. (5 in. 8 in. 10 in. 1% ill. IX in. 2 in. 2 in. in. 2% in- 80 to 100 gallons per minute 100 to 150 “ “ 150 to 250 “ “ 275 to 375 “ “ “ 500 to 650 “ “ “ 775 to 1000 “ “ “ 34