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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Air lift pump for wells, and means of controlling same by the fluid level in the well casing

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6941752
A well pump is described which employs a series of cylinders connected by a production tubing. An air circulation system has 2 conduits extending into the casing-tubing annulus. Each cylinder has an inlet connection through the top and into one of the lines, alternatively, so that every other cylinder is in the same line. A 4-way valve in a control box at the wellhead is operated by an electric motor for alternating the flow of air through the respective conduits into the cylinders with the production tubing forming a dip tube in each cylinder. Check valves are at the lower ends of each cylinder to prevent backflow. The bottom cylinder is the control cylinder and has a fluid level controlled switch which activates the pump to send a charge of air into the respective cylinders to lift the production fluid progressively to the earth's surface. Another conduit extends for the ground surface through the annulus between cylinders and casing to the desired fluid level in the casing. 1 claim.
Assignee:
EDB-84-093626
Patent Number(s):
US 4305700
OSTI ID:
6941752
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English