Air Lift Pumps
Air Lift Pumps
(OP)
I am designing an Air Lift Pump: a submerged pipe that has outside source of compressed air introduced in order to raise the working fluid using buoyancy and expansion effects. I have found some technical resources, which have been fairly useful but I was wondering if anyone had any practical experience or some tips for working with these devices.
I know that these devices may not be traditional 'pumps' but I thought this forum would be a good shot at getting opinions.
Thanks to all.
I know that these devices may not be traditional 'pumps' but I thought this forum would be a good shot at getting opinions.
Thanks to all.





RE: Air Lift Pumps
http://www.armstrong-intl.com
RE: Air Lift Pumps
http://www.svce.ac.in/~msubbu/FM-WebBook/Unit-V/AirLift...
http://www.plantservices.com/Web_First/ps.nsf/ArticleID...
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
Hydrae
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
Some of the issues to consider:
The highest efficiency occurs when the total rise from the point of gas/air injection is at least 1 bar or more. The reason is that as the gas rises its volume increases by a factor of two every 1 bar in depth. Below 1 bar the amount of air required is quite high to move a little water/fluid.
If the total rise is high, say 3-4 bar, then the process becomes a very efficient, the speed and pressure produced at the top can be quite violent which is why the method is used to purge wells.
This is really a great device, some would consider it a poor man's huge pump. A little air compressor with about 5 bar depth, and you would need $30,000 pump to equal it.
PUMPDESIGNER
RE: Air Lift Pumps
I've used this principle a couple of times, and I found the design and implementation to be "interesting" (and a bit of fun). You can find much useful information in older editions of "Marks Mechanical Engineer's Handbooks." The design parameters are best considered as being only very general guides. Plan on some experimentation, and allow for flexibility in your design.
Best performance is realized when the initial bubble size is as small as practical. Don't just let the air simply come out of the end of a pipe. Install some provisions to assure that the air flows from many small ports in a manner that does not encourage the bubbles to merge together.
Be sure to include provisions to permit reasonably fine adjustment of the air flow rate. For a specific operating condition, there will be an optimum air flow rate. Increasing air flow beyond a particular rate will result in a decrease in the product flow rate.
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
I'm working on a similar project now. Do you have any good references for finding suitable description of the technology in question? I'm thinking of design criteria for the air compressor, capacities, dimensioning etc.
RE: Air Lift Pumps
Anyone know of a anufacturer with experience in Australia I could talk to? Major problem is how much head these pumps will supply. I need to pump about 70-90m3/hr 4-6m vertical with a 3-4m submurged pipe ....
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RE: Air Lift Pumps
Actually made a small one for a brine mix tank a couple of years ago, out of 2" pipe and some fittings. Worked pretty well until it got down near the air nozzle. Would have installed permanently except it put to much air in the brine. Siiigh.
RE: Air Lift Pumps
What pitfalls / problems might I encounter? It seems a lot of people can point to the theory, but from reading a lot of references, I can't see much practical experience?
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RE: Air Lift Pumps
RE: Air Lift Pumps
Ideally, you want to pump straight up to a break pot.
Lift Height is the distance from the liquid level being pumped to the break pot, Submergence is the distance from the liquid level down to the air tap. An air lift works best when this ratio is 50%. The ratio can be increased by installing an air jet on the break pot to draw a siphon and increase the submergence.
Air lifts are used in areas of high contamination for sampling purposes and sometimes for liquid transfer. Areas where no moving parts are recommended. A 1/2 air lift will use about 1 scfm and pump 1 fps liquid. So don't get exited about doing this with solids which may have a minimum carrying velocity.
RE: Air Lift Pumps
Does anyone have any advice as to vendors who construct such airlifts in Australia?
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RE: Air Lift Pumps
Search ORNL Air Lift Pumps
http://www
PS they use these for rad waste sampling
Oak Ridge National Laboratories