Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.

Abstract: A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber and configured to be coupled to a pressurized air source, and a pump chamber valve coupled to the bottom end of the pump chamber. In addition, the pneumatic pump control system includes a discharge chamber having a top end and a bottom end, a discharge fitting coupled to the top end of the discharge chamber, a discharge check valve coupled to the bottom end of the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber valve, and an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

Abstract: A transparent sump pump tank cover configured to seal overtop a sump pump tank, hole, pit, or reservoir includes a transparent material making up the body of the cover. A pair of apertures are disposed on the cover. The pair of apertures extended through the cover and are configured to receive pipes therethrough. A third aperture is disposed on the cover. The third aperture extends through the cover and configured to receive electrical cords therethrough. A fourth aperture may be disposed on the cover. The fourth aperture extends through the cover and is configured to receive a vacuum hose for removing fluid from the sump pump tank, hole, pit, or reservoir. The transparent sump pump tank cover allows individuals to visually inspect the sump pump system for faults and easily remove fluid for further inspection without removing the cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparati for separating liquids from production gases and recovering the liquids. The methods and apparati of the present disclosure can reduce or eliminate emissions compared to standard methods and devices and also eliminate the need for haul away of liquids by collecting compressor system liquids in charge vessel(s). The methods and apparati of the present disclosure can also be used to fuel the engines which operate the compressor systems using gas from the compressor drains and the gas used to drain the charge vessel(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for drilling a wellbore into an oil or gas production zone to prevent formation damage in the reservoir using underbalanced or near-balanced drilling techniques, wherein a jet pump drilling assembly is used to create a vacuum around the drill bit. The design of this jet pump drilling assembly prevents the flow of all drilling/power fluid from entering a drill bit Only fluids from the reservoir are allowed to enter the drill bit. The assembly includes a barrier to ensure that no drilling/power fluid discharged from the jet pump located above the drill bit can flow back around to the jet pump jet pump suction ports located in the drill bit thus preventing any drilling/power fluid from ever contacting the drill bit.

Abstract: An air accelerating system includes a housing that has a bore extending through top and bottom ends of the housing. A mounting collar mounted on the bottom end fluidly couples the housing to an oil fill hole of a valve cover. An axle mounted in the bore has a plurality of main blades mounted thereon which are rotated when the axle is rotated to exhaust air from the bottom end to blow oil out of engine valves and into an oil pan of an engine. A drive mount mounted to the top end has at least one vent aperture extending therethrough that is in fluid communication with the bore. A drive spindle rotatably mounted to the drive mount is engaged with the axle and engageable with a drill. The drill rotates the axle to draw air into the vent aperture and expel it outwardly of the bottom end.

Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.

Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.

Abstract: Vessels (10, 11, 12 and 13) are associated with an inlet manifold (14) passing to inlets (16), each controlled by a knifegate valve (17). The lower ends of the pots (10) and (12), and pots (11) and (13), pass material through respective outlet knifegate valves (22) to respective first (23) and second (24) delivery lines. The respective knifegate valves (17) and outlet knifegate valves (22) of pots (10) and (11) on the one hand and pots (12) and (13) on the other, are operable by respective common pneumatic actuators (25). Each pot has an ejector assembly (26) having an upper chamber (28), an air injector nozzle (30), and an accelerator tube (31) to create the venturi function. An air cycling valve (32) transitions the upper chamber (28) between a depressurized space and a pressurized space. The accelerator tube (31) exhausts to a delivery line (23 or 24). Ejector assembly (26) air is supplied via air control valve (35).

Abstract: A compressing diaphragm pump having automatic air expelling and pressure abnormal-preventing features for spray use has a hollow tubular air discharge assembly having a plunger body and compressed spring as well as an air passage pierced at the wall of the water exit port and an air discharge orifice pierced of the central top surface of the air discharge assembly for connecting with the plunger body. When air is mixed within the pressurized water, the resilient force of the compressed spring is bigger than the water pressure of the pressurized water. This allows the air mixed in the pressurized water to get into the air passage and pass the plunger opening of the plunger body via through pore, and is dispelled out of the upper hood via the air discharge orifice of the air discharge assembly.

Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pump; a gas pressure sensor; a microfluidic chip defining a microfluidic conduit; and a gas conduit providing fluid communication between the pump, the gas sensor and the microfluidic conduit; and a controller coupled to the pump and the gas pressure sensor, whereby the controller controls the pump, thereby controlling the gas pressure at the microfluidic conduit. An apparatus includes a microfluidic chip defining a microfluidic conduit extending from a microfluidic source electrode to a microfluidic ground electrode; a first resistor coupled to the microfluidic source electrode; a first and a second voltage divider, the first divider coupling a first power ground to a side of the first resistor opposite the microfluidic chip, the second divider coupling a second power ground to the lead between the first resistor and the microfluidic source electrode, and a first voltage sensor; and a second voltage sensor. Also included are methods of operating the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the transportation of at least one material in a molten state from a first location to a second location, the method comprising the use of transfer means comprising a fluidic pump to effect the transportation of said at least one material. The preferred type of fluidic pump is the Reverse Flow Diverter (RFD) Pump. Preferably, the at least one material in a molten state comprises at least one molten inorganic salt or molten metal, preferably alkali metal halides such as potassium chloride or lithium chloride, or eutectic mixtures thereof. The materials are in a molten state, at a temperature which is usually in excess of 200° C. A preferred gas for use according to the method of the invention is dry argon. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention is applied to the transportation of molten salts in dry conditions in various applications in the nuclear industry.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering an area in which a catch basin is situated within the area to collect water and conduit conveys the collected water to an elongated discharge chamber having a muzzle at a distal end in communication with a desired outfall body and a substantially closed proximal end. Compressed air released into the proximal end of the discharge chamber forcibly discharges water out of the discharge chamber via the muzzle and into the outfall body to dewater the area. A vent permits escape of air as the discharge chamber fills. Backflow prevention valves maintain discharge out of the muzzle and prevent any water from the outfall body from flowing back into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A pumping device includes a container having a cover structure. A piston is movably received in the container and is manually operable. The cover structure has an air inlet valve and a slide switch, which, when properly set, allow air to be sucked into or expelled out of the container by the manual operation of the piston to increase or decrease the internal pressure of the container for oil suction and oil drainage. The pumping device also includes another slide switch, whereby when both slide switches are properly set, the internal pressure of the container is increased or decreased due to the supply of pressurized air from an external source and oil can be sucked into and drained out of the container accordingly.

Abstract: A fuel supply unit 10 includes a fuel reservoir 22 for holding fuel, a fuel pump 18 within the reservoir for pumping fuel from the reservoir, a jet pump assembly 16 within the reservoir for drawing fuel from a fuel tank into the reservoir, and a gasket 24 operatively coupled with a portion of the jet pump assembly and disposed between the portion of the jet pump assembly and an interior surface of the reservoir so as to decouple the jet pump assembly from the reservoir.

Abstract: The objects of the invention are to prevent the backflow of slurry by first enclosing it in a closed space and then using air to force it along a discharge channel, and at the same time to ensure the smooth throughput of the slurry by causing any foreign bodies in the slurry to be broken up en route. To this end, the invention is provided with a casing enclosing a circular cross-section rotor chamber and a rotor which fits inside said rotor chamber and which is caused to rotate by a drive means. The rotor is also fitted with blades en bloc which extend radially from the rotating center section and which form moving chambers that rotate along with the rotor inside the rotor chamber. The casing is also provided with an intake port that connects with the moving chambers at the slurry intake point and a discharge port and air supply port, each of which connects, with the moving chambers at the slurry discharge point.

Abstract: To provide smoother operation of a gas-operated purge pump, the pump housing receives a standpipe closed by a low-density, floatable check valve element at the inlet of a standpipe within the housing. Periodically, at timed intervals, air is forced through an air conduit into the housing. If there is liquid in the housing, a check valve element floats upwardly because it is less dense than the liquid and mounted for movement to and away from the valve seat. While it is off of the valve seat, the air forces water into the standpipe and it moves upwardly until the chamber of the tubular pump housing is free of the liquid, at which time the check valve drops back into position and seats to prevent further flow of liquid. Upon termination of the pumping of gas pressure, the check valve in the pump housing inlet is free to move under the pressure of water in the well and the pump housing chamber again fills with fluid, causing the valve element to lift and permitting flow of water into the standpipe.

Abstract: To provide smoother operation of a gas-operated purge pump, the pump housing receives a standpipe closed by a low-density, floatable check valve element at the inlet of a standpipe within the housing. Periodically, at timed intervals, air is forced through an air conduit into the housing. If there is liquid in the housing, a check valve element floats upwardly because it is less dense than the liquid and mounted for movement to and away from the valve seat. While it is off of the valve seat, the air forces water into the standpipe and it moves upwardly until the chamber of the tubular pump housing is free of the liquid, at which time the check valve drops back into position and seats to prevent further flow of liquid. Upon termination of the pumping of gas pressure, the check valve in the pump housing inlet is free to move under the pressure of water in the well and the pump housing chamber again fills with fluid, causing the valve element to lift and permitting flow of water into the standpipe.

Abstract: A gas removable pump for liquid comprising a housing having an inlet for introducing the liquid thereinto and an outlet for feeding the liquid therefrom, a drive shaft extending into the housing and having formed therein an axial bore, a rotary pump disposed within the housing, and a discharging chamber defined within the housing and separated from the rotary pump in a liquid-tight manner. The rotary pump includes a rotor secured to the drive shaft for co-rotation therewith and a plurality of cells for feeding the liquid, each cell constituting a separator for gas-rich liquid upon rotation of the rotor. A stationary shaft extends in the axial bore between the rotary pump and the discharging chamber. A connecting arrangement is provided in the drive shaft and stationary shaft for selectively connecting each cell with the discharging chamber. Also provided is an injector for ejecting into the discharging chamber the gas-rich liquid separated in the cells through the connecting arrangement.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid, which may be corrosive, in an amount which is substantially fixed for each cycle of operation includes an airtight measuring vessel with an inlet conduit through which liquid is introduced unidirectionally and an outlet or discharge conduit through which the measured amount of liquid is dispensed. The outlet conduit extends to a predetermined level within the vessel and above it is a float/valve mechanism operating in association with an airjet pump. The operation is such that when the float is buoyed to an operative level higher than the predetermined level, conditions are changed within the vessel to commence the dispensing cycle which terminates when the level of liquid falls below the predetermined level whereupon the float/valve drops to an unbuoyed position to commence the next filling cycle. Operation of the jet pump is required during cycling to cooperate with the float/valve mechanism and create the conditions necessary for filling and for dispensing.

Abstract: In a method for conveying a liquid at or in the proximity of its boiling temperature, in particular, liquid hydrogen, by means of a pump which draws the liquid from a storage container through a suction entrance port, in order to prevent undesired bubble formation in the suction region, it is proposed that the pressure in the storage container be increased for a short time during the suction phase of the pump above the equilibrium pressure of the liquid in the storage container. An apparatus for performing this method is also described.

Abstract: A bladder pump is suspended in a tubular air lift pump housing which is closed at its lower end by a check valve, and which is connected at its upper end by a first conduit and a separator selectively to a supply of air under pressure. Two additional conduits extend from the upper end of the bladder pump in either side-by-side relation, or coaxially one within the other, through the bore in the left pump housing and first conduit and the separator to control means. A first one of the two additional conduits is secured in the upper end of the bladder pump to communicate with an upper check valve chamber, which is connected by a perforated discharge tube to a lower check valve chamber in the bladder pump. The discharge tube is surrounded by a flexible bladder, which is separated from the bladder pump housing by an air chamber which communicates with the other of the two additional conduits to the control means.

Abstract: A fluidic pumping system comprises a reverse flow diverter positioned below the level of a liquid to be pumped and inserted between a charge vessel and a delivery pipe. A control system including pressure-responsive devices effects alternate pressurizing and venting of the charge vessel for pumping the liquid. Passage of liquid from the charge vessel into pipes leading to a compressed air supply and the reverse flow diverter generates pressure changes which are detected and the electric output signals are used to operate the control means.

Abstract: A system and method for producing earth formation fluids such as crude oil using a lighter oil to force the crude oil to the surface and thereafter removing the lighter oil by gas lift techniques. The well system includes spaced packers defining a production chamber in the well bore, a production tubing extending through the packers having check valves and ports for well fluids to flow into the chamber from below the packer while isolating the chamber from the pressure of production fluids in the production tubing. Power fluid tubing extends through the upper packer into the production chamber including spaced gas lift valves and gas flow means from the lowermost gas lift valve into the production chamber. Surface equipment is provided for pumping power fluid into the power fluid tubing string, introducing lift gas into the power fluid tubing string above the upper packer, and separating returned power fluid and lift gas.

Abstract: A fluidic pumping system comprises a reverse flow diverter positioned below the level of a liquid to be pumped and inserted between a charge vessel and a delivery pipe. Control means including signal generating means, conveniently an ultrasonic transducer, effect alternate pressurizing and venting of the charge vessel for pumping the liquid. A pipe for the supply of compressed air to the charge vessel serves as a waveguide for the signals from the signal generating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering metered quantities of liquid wherein the liquid is circulated through a chamber to fill the chamber with liquid and circulation is temporarily terminated with the chamber filled with liquid. While circulation is terminated gas under pressure is admitted to the chamber to displace liquid therefrom through a discharge port. The quantity of liquid displaced is controlled by regulating the volume of the chamber and/or by regulating the relative disposition in the chamber of the point of entry of the gas and point of discharge of the liquid.

Abstract: A water pressurizing system for use where water pressure from the main is too low. A tank has an inlet for water with a check valve and a discharge outlet for consumption. A gas supply is provided for pressurizing the tank. In the gas supply line there is a U-shaped duct with a float valve in the duct for cutting off the gas supply when the tank is full.

Abstract: Liquid is pumped from a relatively small submerged tank in pumping cycles by discharging a gas at relatively high pressure from a relatively large tank into the submerged tank. When the submerged tank is emptied of liquid, the high pressure gas which fills it is reclaimed by exhausting the same into a second relatively large tank maintained at low pressure. Gas is reclaimed into the second large tank after the next and each subsequent pumping cycle until the resulting pressure differential impedes further transfer. Tanks filled with reclaimed gas are connected to the inlet of the air compressor to reduce the pressure thereacross and lessen the power required to compress the gas required for the pumping.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving oil from a producing zone after the bottom hole pressure has decreased to such an extent that artificial lift is required for production. An accumulator is provided by casing sealed off with a packer, or an accumulation chamber located in the area of the casing where oil accumulates. The uppermost portion of the accumulator is vented to atmosphere to allow oil flow therein. A floating piston-type device may be located immediately above the accumulator with a bypass from the accumulator to the top of the floating piston. Pressure is subsequently applied through the vent line to the accumulator to force oil from the accumulator through a stinger tube above the floating piston and subsequently raise the oil and floating piston to the surface. Without the piston, a stinger tube and standing valve may be used to accumulate oil in the production tubing. The vent line may be located inside the production line with the upper casing being used as a pressure storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving oil from a producing zone after the bottom hole pressure has decreased to such an extent that artificial lift is required for production. An accumulator is positioned in the area of the casing where oil accumulates with the uppermost portion being vented to atmosphere to allow oil flow therein. A floating piston-type device may be located immediately above the accumulator with a bypass from the accumulator to the top of the floating piston. Pressure is subsequently applied through the vent line to the accumulator to force oil from the accumulator through a stinger tube above the floating piston and subsequently raise the oil and floating piston to the surface. Without the piston, a stinger tube and standing valve may be used to accumulate oil in the production tubing.