Fluid lifting apparatus

Patent · Tue Sep 27 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6612035

Hereford, J A; Beard, F

An air-lift pump is described which has a number of lift stages and employs only a few moving parts. The apparatus is operable by air pressure applied alternately to first and second pairs of cylinders. Each cylinder has a main body part, a barrel, and a bottom chamber in communication with a bottom inlet. Pressuring of the main body part of the chamber closes a check valve at the inlet and forces fluid from it through a fluid-flow valve, through the chamber and up the barrel to a production tubing segment and to the next higher cylinder. Emptying of the main chamber closes the fluid-flow valve to prevent air from the production tubing. However, the valve is positively opened once fluid flow in the bottom chamber from the inlet is reinstituted. An air vent to the surface or to the well annulus rapidly depressurizes the cylinders and speeds cycling between the alternate cylinder pairs. (13 claims)

• Assignee: EDB-83-026633
• Patent Number(s): US 4050854
• OSTI ID: 6612035
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420206* -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
ARTIFICIAL LIFTS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
PUMPS
VALVES