Patent GB-190125574-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Methods and Apparatus for Raising Liquids from Deep Wells by Means of Compressed Air.
Inventor: STIRLING ROBERT
Filed: 1901-12-14
Granted: 1902-12-11
Abstract: 25,574. Stirling, R. Dec. 14. Raising liquids by aÙrating ascending column ; direct air-pressure apparatus.-Relates to the raising of oil or other liquids from deep wells, and consists nf means for admitting the compressed air at several points in the discharge pipe, and controlling this admission automatically. Figs. 1, 5, and 6 show one form of apparatus used. The airsupply pipe B surrounds the delivery pipe D, at the lower end of which is an air-admission nozzle c, and at different points in its length are other air nozzles E, E'. At each of the nozzles E &c. an upper and a lower section of the delivery pipe D are connected by a sleeve d<3>, Fig. 6. The lower section d' is screwed to the sleeve, but the upper section has a limited movement in the sleeve sufficient to allow its head to close the air ports 2 when in the position shown, or to open them when raised. This raising of the pipe D is automatically effected by the pressure in the pipe B acting on a piston 3 connected to the pipe D by a lever or otherwise, and fitted with a dash-pot 4. Supposing the liquid to be, for instance, low in the well, on the admission of air through the regulating-valve J and pipe A the nozzle c first comes into action, and raises the liquid a certain distance. The air pressure then reaches a predetermined maximum, and causes the piston 3 to raise the pipe D. Air is thus admitted at E, higher up the pipe, and raises the liquid still further. If the air escapes too freely at E, owing to the liquid falling in the well, the pressure drops, and allows the piston 3 to lower the pipe D and close the nozzle E, and the pressure then becomes high enough for the air to escape again at c. A nozzle E is also described in which the air ports are opened in an intermediate position and closed in the two extreme positions. In a second modification, the nozzles E &c. are replaced by a second nozzle c, having its own air pipe arranged within the pipe B. The pipe B is supplied direct from the main, but the second pipe from a pipe A' leading from an automatic valve shown in Fig. 7. The pipe A' is supplied from the main L' through the regulating- valve J and pipe 10, and the supply is controlled by a piston valve 7 having a dash-pot piston 6. The upper end of the cylinder of the valve 7 is connected direct to the main, and the lower end to the valve J through a throttle valve 12. On air being admitted by the valve J, the piston 7 is slowly forced up till the piston 6 reaches the groove 14, when the stroke is completed quickly. The groove 15 now connects the pipes 10, A', and air is thus admitted to the inner air pipe. The retention of the pressure under the piston 7 by the valve 12 gives time for the inner air pipe to fill. If, however, air escapes too freely from the higher nozzle, the piston 7 is ultimately forced down, thus cutting off the supply to this nozzle. In the case of a high level of liquid in the well, the air pipe B is connected at 26, instead of direct to the main. In a third modification, the system just described is combined with that first described. In the second modification, the air pipe for the higher nozzle may be within the delivery pipe. Fig. 8 shows a preferred form of nozzle for this case, A<1> being the air pipe and D the delivery pipe. Fig. 12 shows one construction of the valve J. In tha position shown, a passage is open over the valve seat 25 and through the holes in the hood 22. On screwing down the spindle 23, the valve 22 first closes, and the flow is then gradually throttled by the cone 24. In a modification, the adjustment is effected by screwing the cones 16, 17, Fig. 10, towards each other.