Using a primary head of water, e.g., from natural source and flowing the water by gravity through an aspirator, a vacuum is produced which is utilized to lift a part of the water from the same source through multiple stages to any desired elevation. The stages may be operated in alternating sequence by selective connection to a common aspirator. Alternatively, by use of multiple aspirators two or more stages may be operated simultaneously for continuous flow. A series of reservoirs arranged with limited elevational differences are connected selectively to the suction line of a water-driven aspirator. The water may be stored temporarily in an elevated reservoir, from which it may be withdrawn to generate power and/or for other uses.
A device for transmitting sea water from a lower level to a higher level by means of sea surge striking the intake pipe to generate air pressure in a sealed chamber and to cause the water therein to be transmitted upwards into the next higher sealed chamber. The sea water is finally lifted to a reservoir at a given elevation.
A method for raising liquid from a reservoir to a tank positioned above the reservoir, the liquid being withdrawn from the tank at the same rate that it enters for further utilization. The method involves providing a pressure differential, in part by creating a sub-atmospheric pressure within the tank combined with pressure derived from a head of water above the water supply conduit pipe inlet, to cause the liquid to flow up a conduit connecting the tank and reservoir. The invention also relates to a system for carrying out the method.
A method and apparatus for generating energy are presented wherein fluid flowing from the base of a standpipe drives a power converter such as a turbine. The discharged fluid is recycled to the top of the standpipe by pumping chambers which are filled by the flowing fluid and then discharged by compressed air. The compressed air is derived from a storage tank which is pressurized partially by the pumping chambers as they are undergoing a fluid fill cycle.
Liquid raising systems raise liquid from a system inlet to a system outlet without any moving parts below the system outlet. One or more closed cells are disposed at elevations between the system inlet and outlet. A liquid conduit leads from the bottom of each cell to the top of the next downstream cell. Gas pressure-differential between two next-adjacent cells causes liquid to flow through the liquid conduit to the next cell. The pressure-differential need be only enough to move the liquid between adjacent cells. The cells are cyclically filled and emptied by sequentially applying the gas at higher and lower pressures to adjacent cells, thus progressively moving liquid toward the system outlet. A cell can have a variety of shapes and sizes, so long as the cell gas inlet is above the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet is below both the liquid inlet and the gas inlet.
A process is disclosed, for pumping a multi-phase gas-liquid mixture by using a pump as the thrusting machine, and at least two pumping vessels alternatively performing functions of intake and functions of compression/delivery.
