Abstract: This apparatus has a plurality of vertical lift tubes immersed in water and arranged to discharge water into a hood at their upper ends for driving a turbine-like fluid motor. Each lift tube receives a much shorter, smaller diameter inner tube at its lower end. A horizontal partition extends between the inside of each lift tube and the corresponding inner tube. Compressed air is introduced periodically into the annular space between the lift tube and its inner tube below this partition. The lift tube has a water inlet opening located above the partition and below the top of its inner tube.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a novel apparatus for pumping water up through a tube by a succession of coherent air bubbles, each of which extends completely across the interior of the tube as it rises up the tube. The upwardly flowing water operates a fluid motor device, preferably a turbine or the like, whose water-driven rotation may be used for generating electricity or for other purposes.