Improvements in or connected with the Raising of Water.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 15th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1900-Accepted, 9th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Raising of Water.
We, GEORGE ROMEO YOUNG, of Ridgewood, in the State of New Jersey,
Engineer, and CLIFFORD SHAW, of 100, Broadway, in the City and State of New
York, Engineer, both citizens of the United States of America, do' hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In the system of raising water to which our invention relates, air is forced
into the lower portion of a column of water in an up-take pipe. The air
rising in bubles, of course, diminishes the weight of the column of water in the
pipe, and causes it to rise to a higher level and to overflow as it reaches the
top of the up-take. The mixed water and air, on reaching the mouth of the up-
take pipe, are separated one from the other in a closed chamber. The water
passes out through a pipe leading to the final point of delivery. The air is
discharged separately through an air pipe.
We have discovered a way by
which the air may be separated from the water while still under pressure at the
head of the up-take pipe and the water delivered at a much higher level than
where the separation occurs, all with great economy in the cost of operation,
in the size of the air compressors required, and in the general construction of
the system.
The air is separated from the water in a closed separator and at a pressure
sufficiently in excess of atmospheric pressure to give the needed force or head
to the water in the discharge pipe leading from the separator. The air under
such pressure and at the cool temperature of the well water is delivered
directly to the air compressor, and, after being compressed to the amount
required to force it down and deliver it into the foot of the uptake pipe. In
the uptake pipe it again rises with the water to and into the separator where it
separates again from the water and recommences its cycle. As the air is sub-
jected to approximately adiabatic compression but to isothermal expansion in
the cool water of the well, and as it is always at a greater pressure than atmo-
spheric, a new and improved economy in the system is obtained. Gas at in-
creasing pressures becomes proportionally less comprehensible; consequently
our air-compressors may be made proportionally smaller. Furthermore, the
amount of heat produced by the compression of the air or gas varies as the pres-
sure increases. If, for instance, air were an incompressible liquid, no loss
whatever would result from temperature changes, for the air could be simply
forced to the bottom of the up-take pipe and subsequently separated in the
separator and returned to the air pump, without any change of its volumé.
Therefore, by employing greater than atmospheric pressures we approach more
nearly to this unattainable condition.

page_text: In the drawings the well is marked A. The uptake B rises to the separator C.
The final discharge pipe E from the separator leads to the desired place and level
of delivery. The air is carried from the separator through the air-pipe G to
the inlet valves 2, 3, of the compressor. The compressor is only illustrated in
diagram since its details are mere matters of engineering knowledge. The
piston is indicated at 6. The air as it is compressed passes to the delivery
chamber and thence through air-pipe D', reservoir tank H to the down-
take air-pipe D to the bottom of the up-take pipe B.
The system may be simplified by the omission of reservoir tank H whose
object is to overcome the slight pulsations of pressure due to the compressor.
Preferably the system is provided with means for introducing additional air
under pressure from time to time, because usually the well water will absorb
air and this coupled with loss due to leakage requires compensation. Regu-
lators for this purpose, and indeed for the regulation of the discharge through
pipe E and for the control of the water level in the water separators may be
introduced at will. In the drawings three cooperating means of regulation are
shown. Firstly, the tanks Care of such a height that the columns of water
within them act as hydrostatic regulators; for if the air pressure in the tanks
is constant a variation of two feet in the height of the water in the tanks will
determine a corresponding variation of pressure in the discharge pipe E, and
so cause more or less water to be delivered through the pipe, and thereby tend
to restore the normal level in the separator tank. For the better separation
of air from water and to prevent the carrying out of considerable quantities of
air in minute bubbles through the pipe E, we provide duplex or plural separat-
ing chambers O. The slotted mouth of the up-take B allows nearly all the air
to rise and escape from the water in the first tank, small bubbles of air however,
entangled in the water are carried into the second tank where the water is less
disturbed. As the pipe E leads from the bottom of the second tank, very few,
if any, of these smaller air bubbles are finally carried out with the water. They
rise slowly to the surface in the second tank and pass thence through the short
air pipe shown, back to the first tank.
To
Another device for preserving a constant static pressure in the separator
tanks and also regulating the whole system and compensating for the absorption
or loss of air, consists in the inlet flap valves 4 and 5 in the condensor and
the automatic regulating plugs or valves 7 and 8, which are controlled and
adjusted by means of the cylinder 9, and regulating spring piston 10, which
receives pressure from the separator C through the small hole shown. When the
pressure falls below the standard for which the regulator is set the spring draws
the valve 8 toward the right and the valve 7 toward the left allowing more air
to be drawn in from the atmosphere to the cylinder of the compressor.
produce the suction for drawing in the air the outlet valves from the compressor
are so placed that the piston 6 reaches them at the end of its stroke after it
has covered the inlet valves 2 or 3; therefore when the piston again begins to
move toward its central position and from the end of the cylinder it can draw in
air through the valve 4 or 5 before uncovering the valve 2 or 3, respectively.
Some such provision as this is necessary because the pressure beneath the
valves 2 and 3 is greater than atmospheric pressure beneath the valves 4 and 5.
A third means for regulating the system consists in auxiliary air-pump K,
the actuating valve 12 of which is controlled by the pressure regulator 13.
When the pressure in the tank C is below the normal or desired standard
valve 12 is opened and the air pump K operates continuously, forcing air from
the atmosphere into the system until the normal pressure is reached and the
valve 12 thereby closed.
In order to illustrate the operation of the system and to explain our process
by a concrete example, we may suppose that it is necessary to raise water one
hundred feet above the level in the separating tank and that the level in the
well A is fifty feet below the level in the tank C. Also let the mouth of the

page_text: down-take air-pipe 1) be about two hundred and fifty feet below water level
in the well A. The automatic regulators may then be set to preserve an air
pressure equivalent to about one hundred and five feet of water, in the tank C.
The compressor will compress air into the tank H until a pressure equal to
two hundred and fifty feet is obtained, when the air will begin discharging
through the down-take D. As soon as the water begins to rise in the separator
tank C, and the air pressure therein produced by the air compressor K and the
air separating from the water reaches a pressure of one hundred feet of water,
the water discharges through the pipe E to the height one hundred feet above
the level in the tank C. As the pressure rises in the tank C the automatic
valve 12 closes and the normal operation is established. To act as a very reliable
hydrostatic regulator for the discharge of the water under a hundred-foot head
through the pipe E, the height of the separator tank C need not be more than
fifteen feet.
We, GEORGE ROMEO YOUNG, of Ridgewood, in the State of New Jersey,
Engineer, and CLIFFORD SHAW, of 100, Broadway, in the City and State of New
York, Engineer, both citizens of the United States of America, da hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In the system of raising water to which our invention relates, air is forced
into the lower portion of a column of water in an up-take pipe. The air
rising in bubbles, of course, diminishes the weight of the column of water in the
pipe and causes it to rise to a higher level and to overflow as it reaches the
top of the up-take. The mixed water and air on reaching the mouth of the up-
take pipe are separated one from the other in a closed chamber. The water
passes out through a pipe leading to the final point of delivery. The air is
discharged separately through an air pipe. We have discovered a way by
which the air may be separated from the water while still under pressure at the
head of the uptake pipe and the water delivered at a much higher level than
where the separation occurs, all with great economy in the cost of operation,
in the size of the air compressors required, and in the general construction of
the system.
The air is separated from the water in a closed separator and at a pressure
sufficiently in excess of atmospheric pressure to give the needed force or head
to the water in the discharge pipe leading from the separator. The air under
such pressure and at the cool temperature of the well water is delivered
directly to the air compressor, and after being compressed to the amount
required to force it down and deliver it into the foot of the uptake pipe. In
the uptake pipe it again rises with the water to and into the separator where it
separates again from the water and recommences its cycle. As the air is sub-
jected to approximately adiabatic compression but to isothermal expansion in
the cool water of the well, and as it is always at a greater pressure than atmo-
spheric, a new and improved economy in the system is obtained. Gas at in-
creasing pressures becomes proportionally less comprehensible; consequently.

page_text: our air compressors may be made proportionately smaller. Furthermore, the
amount of heat produced by the compression of the air or gas varies as the pres-
sure increases. If, for instance, air were an incompressible liquid, no loss
whatever would result from temperature changes, for the air could be simply
forced to the bottom of the up take pipe and subsequently separated in the
separator and returned. to the air pump, without any change of its volume.
Therefore, by employing greater than atmospheric pressure we approach more
nearly to this unattainable condition.
In the drawings left with the Provisional Specification the well is marked A.
The uptake B rises to the separator C. The final discharge pipe E from the
separator leads to the desired place and level of delivery. The air is carried
from the separator through the air pipe G to the inlet valves 2, 3, of the com-
pressor. The compressor is only illustrated in diagram since its details are mere
matters of engineering knowledge. The piston is indicated at 6. The air as it
is compressed passes to the delivery chamber F and thence through air-pipe D',
reservoir tank H to the downtake air-pipe 1) to the bottom of the uptake
pipe B.
The system may be simplified by the omission of reservoir tank H whose
object is to overcome the slight pulsations of pressure due to the compressor.
Preferably the system is provided with means for introducing additional air
under pressure from time to time because usually the well water will absorb
air and this coupled with loss due to leakage requires compensation. Regu-
lators for this purpose, and indeed for the regulation of the discharge through
pipe E and for the control of the water level in the water separators may be
introduced at will. In the drawings, three co-operating means of regulation are
shown. Firstly, the tanks are of such a height that the columns of water
within them act as hydrostatic regulators; for if the air pressure in the tanks
is constant a variation of two feet in the height of the water in the tanks will
determine a corresponding variation of pressure in the discharge pipe E, and
80 cause more or less water to be delivered through the pipe and thereby tend
to restore the normal level in the separator tank. For the better separation
of air from water and to prevent the carrying out of considerable quantities of
air in minute bubbles through the pipe E, we provide duplex or plural separat-
ing chambers C. The slotted mouth of the up take B allows nearly all the air
to rise and escape from the water in the first tank, small bubbles of air however,
entangled in the water are carried into the second tank where the water is less
disturbed. As the pipe E leads from the bottom of the second tank, very few,
if any, of these smaller air bubbles are finally carried out with the water. They
rise slowly to the surface in the second tank and pass thence through the short
air pipe shown, back to the first tank.
To
Another device for preserving a constant static pressure in the separator
tanks and also regulating the whole system and compensating for the absorption
or loss of air, consists in the inlet valves 4 and 5 in the condensor and
the automatic regulating plugs or valves 7 and 8 which are controlled and
adjusted by means of the cylinder 9 and regulating spring piston 10, which
receives pressure from the separator C through the small hole shown. When the
pressure falls below the standard for which the regulator is set the spring draws
the valve 8 toward the right and the valve 7 toward the left allowing more air
to be drawn in from the atmosphere to the cylinder of the compressor.
produce the suction for drawing in the air the outlet valves from the compressor
are so placed that the piston 6 reaches them at the end of its stroke after it
has covered the inlet valves 2 or 3; therefore when the piston again begins to
move toward its central position and from the end of the cylinder it can draw in
air through the valve 4 or 5 before uncovering the valve 2 or 3 respectively.
Some such provision as this is necessary because the pressure beneath the
valves 2 and 3 is greater than atmospheric pressure beneath the valves 4 and 5.
A third means for regulating the system consists in auxiliary air pump K,

page_text: the actuating valve 12 of which is controlled by the pressure regulator 13.
When the pressure in the tank C is below the normal or desired standard
valve 12 is opened and the air pump K operates continuously, forcing air from
the atmosphere into the system until the normal pressure is reached and the
valve 12 thereby closed.
In order to illustrate the operation of the system and to explain our process
by a concrete example, we may suppose that it is necessary to raise water one
hundred feet above the level in the separating tank and that the level in the
well A is fifty feet below the level in the tank C. Also let the mouth of the
down-take air-pipe D be about two hundred and fifty feet below water level
in the well A. The automatic regulators may then be set to preserve an air
pressure equivalent to about one hundred and five feet of water, in the tank C.
The compressor will compress air into the tank H until a pressure equal to
two hundred and fifty feet is obtained, when the air will begin discharging
through the down-take D. As soon as the water begins to rise in the separator
tank C, and the air pressure therein produced by the air compressor K and the
air separating from the water reaches a pressure of one hundred feet of water,
the water discharges through the pipe E to the height one hundred feet above
the level in the tank C. As the pressure rises in the tank C the automatic
valve 12 closes and the normal operation is established. To act as a very reliable
hydrostatic regulator for the discharge of the water under a hundred-foot head
through the pipe E, the height of the separator tank C need not be more than
fifteen feet.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. The process of raising liquids which consists in introducing a lighter fluid
into a column of the liquid, thereby disturbing the hydrostatic balance and
causing the column to rise, subsequently separating the lighter fluid from the
liquid at greater than atmospheric pressure, and forcing the lighter fluid under
increased pressure down into the column of liquid, and maintaining the con-
tinuous circulation or cycle of the said fluid.
2. In apparatus for raising liquid, an air-compressor mechanism, an uptake
partly submerged in the liquid to be raised, a downtake air-pipe conveying air
from the compressor to the said uptake, a closed separating chamber in which
the said uptake passes, a water discharge passage leading from the separating
chamber and an air-pipe leading from the said chamber to the said compressing
mechanism.
3. In combination in and with the apparatus named in Claim 2, automatic
regulating means for maintaining a constant or substantially constant pressure
in the said separating chamber.
4. In combination with the apparatus named in Claim 2, a plurality of com-
municating separating chambers one of which receives the air and water from
the uptake pipe and another of which connects with the water discharge pipe.
5. În combination in the apparatus named in Claim 2, means for compressing
and circulating the air in a continuous cycle into and through the said uptake
and the said separating chamber, always at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
6. In the apparatus named in Claim 5, an automatic means for forcing addi-
tional air into the apparatus to compensate for absorption or loss.
Dated this 8th day of April 1900
Dated this 8th dox of Anvil 1900
For the Applicants,
J. G. LORRAIN,
Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.