EP4232719A1 - Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method - Google Patents

Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method

Info

Publication number
EP4232719A1
EP4232719A1 EP21798146.3A EP21798146A EP4232719A1 EP 4232719 A1 EP4232719 A1 EP 4232719A1 EP 21798146 A EP21798146 A EP 21798146A EP 4232719 A1 EP4232719 A1 EP 4232719A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
gas bubbles
pump assembly
duct
tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21798146.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Johannes Wilhelmus KOK
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GPP INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Original Assignee
Timbr Energy BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Timbr Energy BV filed Critical Timbr Energy BV
Publication of EP4232719A1 publication Critical patent/EP4232719A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F1/00—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/18—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium being mixed with, or generated from the liquid to be pumped

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pump assembly for moving a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the pump assembly comprising:
  • a gas bubble generator arranged for generating gas bubbles in the liquid
  • the tube comprising:
  • the second portion comprising a duct extending toward the outlet.
  • Various types of pumps are capable of moving liquid from a relatively low first level to a relatively high second level by introducing air near the first level. Air and water are subsequently moved to the relatively high second level.
  • An example thereof is a bubble pump, used for example in aquaculture for aeration of water in ponds.
  • the pump In use, the pump is located in a reservoir containing a liquid and the tube is provided with liquid.
  • the first portion is in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir and is filled with the liquid, the liquid being for example water.
  • a gas bubble generator such as a compressor, introduces gas bubbles into the liquid located in the first portion of the tube, resulting in a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles. This results in a reduction of the density of the mixture of liquid and gas bubbles located in the first portion, thereby bringing about a propulsion of liquid through the tube from the first level to the second level.
  • bubble pumps require only a gas that is introduced into the liquid near the first level under a pressure equal to or higher than an ambient pressure near the first level, they are reliable pumps in use.
  • bubble pumps have relatively low efficiency in comparison with mechanical pumps.
  • a pump assembly according to the preamble is characterized by being arranged such that in use the liquid in the duct is divided into liquid segments that are then separated from each other by gas bubbles.
  • the second portion of the tube is arranged such that in use the volume of the gas bubbles in the second portion is such that the liquid in the duct is divided into liquid segments that are separated from each other by the gas bubbles.
  • the liquid segments are more efficiently transported from the first level to the second level.
  • it increases a suction effect in the first portion of the tube caused by the rising gas bubbles. Consequently, the liquid moves more easily and more quickly through the tube from the first level to the second level, and the liquid exits the second portion with greater force.
  • the outlet of the pump may be located below a liquid surface of the liquid located in the reservoir, but it may also be located near or above the liquid surface.
  • the duct may have various cross sections, including rhombic.
  • An embodiment is characterized by the duct having a circular cross section.
  • the circular cross section facilitates separating the liquid in liquid segments, because the gas bubbles make contact more easily with an inner circumferential wall of the duct. Additionally, due to the circular cross section, the duct can more easily resist pressure of the liquid and the gas bubbles in a portion of the duct extending above the liquid surface of the liquid in the reservoir.
  • An embodiment is characterized by the duct having a hexagonal cross section.
  • Ducts with a hexagonal cross section are cheap to produce, and additionally are capable of guiding gas bubbles and resisting the pressure of gas bubbles and liquid segments.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that the second portion of the tube diverges relative to a longitudinal direction of the first portion of the tube.
  • the second portion diverges for example with an angle of 45°, 90° or even more than 90°.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that the duct is divided into a plurality of ducts extending toward the outlet.
  • the ducts divide the second portion in smaller sub-volumes, enabling the gas bubble generator to release smaller gas bubbles to divide the liquid in liquid segments according to the invention.
  • a liquid flow is enabled that is discharged from the tube and does not hinder, but instead facilitates an outflow of liquid that is to be discharged later, as a result of which the pump assembly is more energy efficient.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that an end of the duct for receiving gas bubbles and liquid is provided with a guide element for guiding gas bubbles, wherein the guide element extends from the duct toward the first portion.
  • the guide element causes the rising gas bubbles to enter the duct more easily and experience less resistance from a circumferential wall of the duct.
  • the length of the guide element is matched with a velocity with which the liquid moves from the first portion to the second portion, and is at least 10 cm long, preferably at least 20 cm and more preferably at least 30 cm.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that the upstream end of the guide element is pointed.
  • the pointed end can divide a gas bubble with a diameter greater than the diameter of the duct in which the gas bubble is to flow, into smaller gas bubbles.
  • a relatively larger gas bubble can less easily disrupt a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in a certain part of the duct.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that a lateral aperture regulating the ratio between a quantity of liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion of the tube is arranged in a wall of said tube and/or a liquid supply conduit.
  • a portion of the gas bubbles and the liquid can escape through the aperture in the wall of the tube, while the liquid supply conduit can supply additional liquid at a certain level of the tube.
  • a ratio between the volume of the gas bubbles and the volume of the liquid which changes during moving from the first level to the second level due to the increasing volume of the gas bubbles, can be regulated and consequently also the velocity with which the liquid is moved from the first level to the second level.
  • the aperture is adjustable for optimizing in use the gas bubble size and the ratio between the liquid and the gas bubbles.
  • the first portion broadens in downstream direction.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that the gas is air.
  • Air is widely available and may cheaply and easily be used and compressed.
  • the air is filtered before the air is introduced into the tube.
  • a quantity of dust particles in the air is reduced and the liquid is polluted less.
  • An embodiment is characterized in that a gas bubble outlet of the gas bubble generator is provided with an element provided with apertures.
  • the apertures in the element regulate the size of the air bubbles introduced into the first portion of the tube, as a result of which the gas bubbles are better adapted to divide in the second portion the liquid into liquid segments that are separated from each other by gas bubbles.
  • the element can for example be a membrane or a pressure chamber with apertures therein, an air stone or a porous rock, the pores of the rock forming the apertures.
  • the present invention relates to a method for moving a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the method comprising the step of:
  • Such a method is suitable for moving a liquid more efficiently from a relatively low level to a relatively high level.
  • the invention also relates to all variants of the pump assembly discussed above and in the claims concerning the pump assembly, in any possible combination. Repetition has been refrained from merely for the sake of brevity.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a pump having a gas bubble generator
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a pump, the second portion of which containing a plurality of diverging ducts;
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a duct
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic detail view of a downstream end of a duct with a guide element
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section of a first portion with apertures in the wall to regulate a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion, and a schematic longitudinal cross section of a first portion with liquid supply conduits to regulate a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion.
  • Fig. 1 shows a pump assembly 199 comprising a pump 100, the pump comprising a tube 110 extending between an inlet 121 for liquid and an outlet 131 of the pump 100, having a relatively low first portion 120 for receiving liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190, and a relatively high second portion 130 for discharging liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190, the second portion 130 comprising a duct 132.
  • the first portion 120 is arranged to divide in use the liquid 180 in the second portion 130 into liquid segments 181 that according to the invention are separated from each other by gas bubbles 190.
  • the tube 110 is located in this example in a reservoir 140 containing the liquid 180.
  • the reservoir 140 may be a closed system, such as a liquid container, but may also be an open system, such as a lake or a sea. In use the reservoir 140 is in fluid communication with the tube 110 by means of an inlet 121 for liquid in the first portion 120 of the tube 110.
  • a gas bubble generator 150 is arranged to generate gas bubbles 190 in the liquid 180 in the first portion 120 of the tube 110.
  • the gas bubble generator 150 may be a compressor, and comprises a gas bubble outlet 151 comprising in the shown exemplary embodiment an element 152 provided with apertures, such as, in this example, a membrane.
  • the gas bubble generator 150 is arranged to release, by means of an air compressor coupled to a gas bubble generator, gas bubbles with a pressure that is at least equal to a local hydrostatic pressure prevaling in the first portion 120 near the gas bubble outlet 151.
  • a gas bubble 190 As the density of a gas bubble 190 is smaller than that of the liquid 180, the surrounding liquid 180 will squeeze the gas bubbles 190 upward out of the liquid 180 in the direction of a liquid surface 160.
  • the volume of the upward moving gas bubble 190 increases during rising as a function of the local hydrostatic pressure exerted on the gas bubbles, because the hydrostatic pressure decreases as the gas bubble 190 nears the liquid surface 160.
  • the gas bubble generator 150 is arranged such that in the second portion 130, which in this example is located near the liquid surface 160, the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 into liquid segments 181. Consequently, the density of alternating liquid segments 181 and gas bubbles 190 is reduced to such an extent, preferably to half of the density of the liquid 180, that an upward stream in the tube 110 is formed, as a result of which the liquid 180 is drawn from the reservoir 140 through the inlet 121 for liquid into the tube 110.
  • the liquid segments 181 and the gas bubbles 190 located between the liquid segments 181 exit the pump through an outlet
  • Fig. 2 shows a pump 100 expanded relative to Fig. 1.
  • the outlet 131 of the pump reaches to near the liquid surface 160, and more preferably to just below the liquid surface 160.
  • the liquid segments 181 leave the duct 132 just below the liquid surface 160, they shoot sideways into the reservoir 140 or into a second reservoir 140’.
  • a plurality of ducts are provided in this exemplary embodiment.
  • the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 in liquid segments 181. Consequently, more liquid 180 can be drawn from the reservoir 140 through the inlet 121 for liquid into the tube 110.
  • the gas bubbles 190 and liquid segments 181 exit the pump 100 through a plurality of outlets 131 of the pump.
  • the outlets 131 of the pump diverge relative to a longitudinal direction of the first segment 120. Consequently, the liquid segments 181 are prevented from re-entering the second portion 130 of the pump 100 after leaving the outlet 131 of the pump, as a result of which a choking action of the pump 100 is at least counteracted.
  • Fig. 3 shows part of the duct 132 according to the invention.
  • Liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190 reach the duct 132 from the first portion 120 of the tube 110 according to Fig. 1 and 2. Due to a limitation of the liquid 180 and the gas bubbles 190 by a circumferential wall 133 of the duct 132, the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 into liquid segments 181.
  • Fig. 4 shows an end 134 of the duct 132 for receiving gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180, comprising a guide element 135 for guiding gas bubbles 190.
  • the guide element 135 extends downward and guides upward moving gas bubbles 190 into the duct 132.
  • the end of the guide element 135 is pointed, enabling the guide element 135 to divide also for example a gas bubble 190’ having a diameter greater than the diameter of a passage near the end 134 of the duct 132, into smaller gas bubbles 190.
  • a gas bubble 190 having a diameter greater than the diameter of a passage near the end 134 of the duct 132
  • Fig. 5 shows two ways to regulate a ratio between a volume of liquid 180 and a volume of gas bubbles 190 in a certain portion of the first portion 120.
  • the volume of an upward moving gas bubble 190 increases while rising due to the lower locally prevaling hydrostatic pressure exerted on the gas bubbles, because the hydrostatic pressure decreases as the gas bubble 190 nears the liquid surface 160. Consequently, the gas bubbles 190 in a downstream portion of the first portion 120 occupy a larger volume relative to the liquid 180 than in an upstream portion of the first portion 120.
  • liquid supply conduits 137 are provided in the first portion 120, as a result of which additional liquid 180 is supplied at various levels in the first portion 120.
  • Fig. 5 shows, on the right side of the center line m, an exemplary embodiment wherein lateral apertures 136 are provided in the wall 138 of the first portion 120 through which a portion of the gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180 can escape from the from the first portion 120. In these ways, the ratio between gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180 in the first portion 120 can be regulated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

Pump assembly and method for moving a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the pump assembly comprising: - a gas bubble generator arranged for generating gas bubbles; - a pump, comprising: - an inlet, - an outlet, - a tube extending upward between the inlet and the outlet, the tube comprising: - a relatively low first portion for receiving liquid and gas bubbles, - a relatively high second portion for discharging the liquid and the gas bubbles, the second portion comprising a duct extending toward the outlet. To provide a more efficient bubble pump, the duct is arranged such that in use the liquid in the duct is divided into liquid segments that are separated from each other by gas bubbles.

Description

Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method
The present invention relates to a pump assembly for moving a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the pump assembly comprising:
- a gas bubble generator arranged for generating gas bubbles in the liquid;
- a pump, comprising:
- an inlet,
- an outlet,
- a tube extending upward between the inlet and the outlet, the tube comprising:
- a relatively low first portion for receiving liquid and gas bubbles,
- a relatively high second portion for discharging the liquid and the gas bubbles, the second portion comprising a duct extending toward the outlet.
Various types of pumps are capable of moving liquid from a relatively low first level to a relatively high second level by introducing air near the first level. Air and water are subsequently moved to the relatively high second level. An example thereof is a bubble pump, used for example in aquaculture for aeration of water in ponds.
In use, the pump is located in a reservoir containing a liquid and the tube is provided with liquid. The first portion is in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir and is filled with the liquid, the liquid being for example water. A gas bubble generator, such as a compressor, introduces gas bubbles into the liquid located in the first portion of the tube, resulting in a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles. This results in a reduction of the density of the mixture of liquid and gas bubbles located in the first portion, thereby bringing about a propulsion of liquid through the tube from the first level to the second level.
As bubble pumps require only a gas that is introduced into the liquid near the first level under a pressure equal to or higher than an ambient pressure near the first level, they are reliable pumps in use.
It is a disadvantage, that bubble pumps have relatively low efficiency in comparison with mechanical pumps.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient bubble pump.
To this end, a pump assembly according to the preamble is characterized by being arranged such that in use the liquid in the duct is divided into liquid segments that are then separated from each other by gas bubbles.
The volume of the upward moving gas bubbles increases during rising, due to the local hydrostatic pressure being lower and being exerted on the gas bubbles. According to the invention, the second portion of the tube is arranged such that in use the volume of the gas bubbles in the second portion is such that the liquid in the duct is divided into liquid segments that are separated from each other by the gas bubbles. Thus, the liquid segments are more efficiently transported from the first level to the second level. Additionally, it increases a suction effect in the first portion of the tube caused by the rising gas bubbles. Consequently, the liquid moves more easily and more quickly through the tube from the first level to the second level, and the liquid exits the second portion with greater force. The outlet of the pump may be located below a liquid surface of the liquid located in the reservoir, but it may also be located near or above the liquid surface. The duct may have various cross sections, including rhombic.
An embodiment is characterized by the duct having a circular cross section.
The circular cross section facilitates separating the liquid in liquid segments, because the gas bubbles make contact more easily with an inner circumferential wall of the duct. Additionally, due to the circular cross section, the duct can more easily resist pressure of the liquid and the gas bubbles in a portion of the duct extending above the liquid surface of the liquid in the reservoir.
An embodiment is characterized by the duct having a hexagonal cross section.
Ducts with a hexagonal cross section are cheap to produce, and additionally are capable of guiding gas bubbles and resisting the pressure of gas bubbles and liquid segments.
An embodiment is characterized in that the second portion of the tube diverges relative to a longitudinal direction of the first portion of the tube.
Thus, the object of reducing the chance that the liquid segments that have left the pump via the outlet return into the outlet, is pursued, as a result of which the operation of the pump is improved. The second portion diverges for example with an angle of 45°, 90° or even more than 90°.
An embodiment is characterized in that the duct is divided into a plurality of ducts extending toward the outlet.
Consequently, the liquid can be moved more efficiently from the first level to the second level. The ducts divide the second portion in smaller sub-volumes, enabling the gas bubble generator to release smaller gas bubbles to divide the liquid in liquid segments according to the invention. Thus, a liquid flow is enabled that is discharged from the tube and does not hinder, but instead facilitates an outflow of liquid that is to be discharged later, as a result of which the pump assembly is more energy efficient.
An embodiment is characterized in that an end of the duct for receiving gas bubbles and liquid is provided with a guide element for guiding gas bubbles, wherein the guide element extends from the duct toward the first portion.
The guide element causes the rising gas bubbles to enter the duct more easily and experience less resistance from a circumferential wall of the duct. The length of the guide element is matched with a velocity with which the liquid moves from the first portion to the second portion, and is at least 10 cm long, preferably at least 20 cm and more preferably at least 30 cm.
An embodiment is characterized in that the upstream end of the guide element is pointed.
The pointed end can divide a gas bubble with a diameter greater than the diameter of the duct in which the gas bubble is to flow, into smaller gas bubbles. Thus, a relatively larger gas bubble can less easily disrupt a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in a certain part of the duct.
An embodiment is characterized in that a lateral aperture regulating the ratio between a quantity of liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion of the tube is arranged in a wall of said tube and/or a liquid supply conduit.
A portion of the gas bubbles and the liquid can escape through the aperture in the wall of the tube, while the liquid supply conduit can supply additional liquid at a certain level of the tube. Thus, a ratio between the volume of the gas bubbles and the volume of the liquid, which changes during moving from the first level to the second level due to the increasing volume of the gas bubbles, can be regulated and consequently also the velocity with which the liquid is moved from the first level to the second level. In an embodiment, the aperture is adjustable for optimizing in use the gas bubble size and the ratio between the liquid and the gas bubbles.
Alternatively, the first portion broadens in downstream direction.
An embodiment is characterized in that the gas is air.
Air is widely available and may cheaply and easily be used and compressed.
If desired, the air is filtered before the air is introduced into the tube. Thus, a quantity of dust particles in the air is reduced and the liquid is polluted less.
An embodiment is characterized in that a gas bubble outlet of the gas bubble generator is provided with an element provided with apertures.
The apertures in the element regulate the size of the air bubbles introduced into the first portion of the tube, as a result of which the gas bubbles are better adapted to divide in the second portion the liquid into liquid segments that are separated from each other by gas bubbles. The element can for example be a membrane or a pressure chamber with apertures therein, an air stone or a porous rock, the pores of the rock forming the apertures.
Finally, the present invention relates to a method for moving a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the method comprising the step of:
- introducing gas bubbles into a liquid located in a relatively low first portion of a tube, wherein the method is executed using the pump assembly according to any of the claims 1 - 10, and the gas bubbles are generated such that in a relatively high second level of the tube the liquid is divided into liquid segments that are separated from each other by gas bubbles.
Such a method is suitable for moving a liquid more efficiently from a relatively low level to a relatively high level.
The invention also relates to all variants of the pump assembly discussed above and in the claims concerning the pump assembly, in any possible combination. Repetition has been refrained from merely for the sake of brevity.
The present invention will now be illustrated using the drawing, wherein
Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a pump having a gas bubble generator;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a pump, the second portion of which containing a plurality of diverging ducts;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section through a duct;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic detail view of a downstream end of a duct with a guide element; and
Fig. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section of a first portion with apertures in the wall to regulate a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion, and a schematic longitudinal cross section of a first portion with liquid supply conduits to regulate a ratio between liquid and gas bubbles in the first portion. Fig. 1 shows a pump assembly 199 comprising a pump 100, the pump comprising a tube 110 extending between an inlet 121 for liquid and an outlet 131 of the pump 100, having a relatively low first portion 120 for receiving liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190, and a relatively high second portion 130 for discharging liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190, the second portion 130 comprising a duct 132. The first portion 120 is arranged to divide in use the liquid 180 in the second portion 130 into liquid segments 181 that according to the invention are separated from each other by gas bubbles 190.
The tube 110 is located in this example in a reservoir 140 containing the liquid 180. The reservoir 140 may be a closed system, such as a liquid container, but may also be an open system, such as a lake or a sea. In use the reservoir 140 is in fluid communication with the tube 110 by means of an inlet 121 for liquid in the first portion 120 of the tube 110. A gas bubble generator 150 is arranged to generate gas bubbles 190 in the liquid 180 in the first portion 120 of the tube 110. The gas bubble generator 150 may be a compressor, and comprises a gas bubble outlet 151 comprising in the shown exemplary embodiment an element 152 provided with apertures, such as, in this example, a membrane. Due to the hydrostatic pressure caused by gravity, the gas bubbles 190 are propelled in the tube 110 from the first portion 120 toward the second portion 130. The gas bubble generator 150 is arranged to release, by means of an air compressor coupled to a gas bubble generator, gas bubbles with a pressure that is at least equal to a local hydrostatic pressure prevaling in the first portion 120 near the gas bubble outlet 151. As the density of a gas bubble 190 is smaller than that of the liquid 180, the surrounding liquid 180 will squeeze the gas bubbles 190 upward out of the liquid 180 in the direction of a liquid surface 160. The volume of the upward moving gas bubble 190 increases during rising as a function of the local hydrostatic pressure exerted on the gas bubbles, because the hydrostatic pressure decreases as the gas bubble 190 nears the liquid surface 160.
According to the invention, the gas bubble generator 150 is arranged such that in the second portion 130, which in this example is located near the liquid surface 160, the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 into liquid segments 181. Consequently, the density of alternating liquid segments 181 and gas bubbles 190 is reduced to such an extent, preferably to half of the density of the liquid 180, that an upward stream in the tube 110 is formed, as a result of which the liquid 180 is drawn from the reservoir 140 through the inlet 121 for liquid into the tube 110. The liquid segments 181 and the gas bubbles 190 located between the liquid segments 181 exit the pump through an outlet
131 of the pump in the second portion 130 of the tube 110.
Fig. 2 shows a pump 100 expanded relative to Fig. 1. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the outlet 131 of the pump reaches to near the liquid surface 160, and more preferably to just below the liquid surface 160. As soon as the liquid segments 181 leave the duct 132 just below the liquid surface 160, they shoot sideways into the reservoir 140 or into a second reservoir 140’. In this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of ducts
132 is arranged in the second portion 130, where the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 in liquid segments 181. Consequently, more liquid 180 can be drawn from the reservoir 140 through the inlet 121 for liquid into the tube 110. The gas bubbles 190 and liquid segments 181 exit the pump 100 through a plurality of outlets 131 of the pump. In this exemplary embodiment, the outlets 131 of the pump diverge relative to a longitudinal direction of the first segment 120. Consequently, the liquid segments 181 are prevented from re-entering the second portion 130 of the pump 100 after leaving the outlet 131 of the pump, as a result of which a choking action of the pump 100 is at least counteracted.
Fig. 3 shows part of the duct 132 according to the invention. Liquid 180 and gas bubbles 190 reach the duct 132 from the first portion 120 of the tube 110 according to Fig. 1 and 2. Due to a limitation of the liquid 180 and the gas bubbles 190 by a circumferential wall 133 of the duct 132, the gas bubbles 190 divide the liquid 180 into liquid segments 181.
Fig. 4 shows an end 134 of the duct 132 for receiving gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180, comprising a guide element 135 for guiding gas bubbles 190. The guide element 135 extends downward and guides upward moving gas bubbles 190 into the duct 132. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the end of the guide element 135 is pointed, enabling the guide element 135 to divide also for example a gas bubble 190’ having a diameter greater than the diameter of a passage near the end 134 of the duct 132, into smaller gas bubbles 190. Thus, an upstream flow of the liquid 180 and the gas bubbles 190 is hindered as little as possible.
Fig. 5 shows two ways to regulate a ratio between a volume of liquid 180 and a volume of gas bubbles 190 in a certain portion of the first portion 120. The volume of an upward moving gas bubble 190 increases while rising due to the lower locally prevaling hydrostatic pressure exerted on the gas bubbles, because the hydrostatic pressure decreases as the gas bubble 190 nears the liquid surface 160. Consequently, the gas bubbles 190 in a downstream portion of the first portion 120 occupy a larger volume relative to the liquid 180 than in an upstream portion of the first portion 120. To prevent the gas bubbles 190 in the upstream portion of the first portion 120 from occupying an excessively large volume and thus disrupting a flow passing action of the ducts 132 in the second portion 130, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 5, on the left side of the center line m, liquid supply conduits 137 are provided in the first portion 120, as a result of which additional liquid 180 is supplied at various levels in the first portion 120. Fig. 5 shows, on the right side of the center line m, an exemplary embodiment wherein lateral apertures 136 are provided in the wall 138 of the first portion 120 through which a portion of the gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180 can escape from the from the first portion 120. In these ways, the ratio between gas bubbles 190 and liquid 180 in the first portion 120 can be regulated.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described and shown, but extends to each embodiment within the scope of protection, as defined in the claims and in the perspective of the preceding description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

- 8 -Claims
1. A pump assembly (199) for moving a liquid (180) from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the pump assembly (199) comprising:
- a gas bubble generator (150) arranged for generating gas bubbles (190) in the liquid (180);
- a pump (100), comprising:
- an inlet (121),
- an outlet (131),
- a tube (110) extending upward between the inlet (121) and the outlet (131), the tube (110) comprising:
- a relatively low first portion (120) for receiving liquid (180) and gas bubbles (190),
- a relatively high second portion (130) for discharging (131) the liquid (180) and the gas bubbles (190), the second portion (130) comprising a duct (132) extending toward the outlet (131); wherein the duct (132) is arranged such that in use the liquid (180) in the duct (132) is divided into liquid segments (181) that are then separated from each other by gas bubbles (190).
2. The pump assembly (199) according to claim 1, wherein the duct (132) has a circular cross section.
3. The pump assembly (199) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the duct (132) has a hexagonal cross section.
4. The pump assembly (199) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion (130) of the tube (110) diverges relative to a longitudinal direction of the first portion (120) of the tube (110).
5. The pump assembly (199) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the duct (132) is divided into a plurality of ducts (132) extending toward the outlet (131). - 9 -
6. The pump assembly (199) according to claim 5, wherein an end (134) of the duct (132) for receiving gas bubbles (190) and liquid (180) is provided with a guide element (135) for guiding gas bubbles (190), wherein the guide element (135) extends from the duct (132) toward the first portion (120).
7. The pump assembly (199) according to claim 6, wherein the upstream end (134) of the guide element (135) is pointed.
8. The pump assembly (199) according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein a lateral aperture (136) regulating the ratio between a quantity of liquid (180) and gas bubbles (190) in the first portion (120) of the tube (110) is arranged in a wall (138) of said tube (110) and/or in a liquid supply conduit.
9. The pump assembly (199) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is air.
10. The pump assembly (199) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a gas bubble outlet (151) of the gas bubble generator (150) is provided with an element (152) provided with apertures.
11. A method for moving a liquid (180) from a relatively low level to a relatively high level, the method comprising the step of:
- introducing gas bubbles (190) into a liquid (180) located in a relatively low first portion (120) of a tube (110), wherein the method is executed using the pump assembly (199) according to any of the conclusions 1 - 10, and the gas bubbles (190) are generated such that in a relatively high second level (130) of the tube (110) the liquid (180) is divided into liquid segments that are separated from each other by gas bubbles (190).
EP21798146.3A 2020-10-23 2021-10-25 Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method Pending EP4232719A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2026761A NL2026761B1 (en) 2020-10-23 2020-10-23 Pump Assembly for Moving a Liquid, and Method
PCT/NL2021/050645 WO2022086335A1 (en) 2020-10-23 2021-10-25 Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4232719A1 true EP4232719A1 (en) 2023-08-30

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21798146.3A Pending EP4232719A1 (en) 2020-10-23 2021-10-25 Pump assembly for moving a liquid, and method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4232719A1 (en)
NL (1) NL2026761B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2022086335A1 (en)

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BE630594A (en) * 1962-04-05
FR1506573A (en) * 1966-11-10 1967-12-22 Method and apparatus for the movement of a liquid, in particular its elevation
US4647272A (en) * 1980-11-20 1987-03-03 Aluminum Company Of America Method and lift pump for raising liquids
US4527956A (en) * 1984-04-30 1985-07-09 Iosif Baumberg Pipe for elevating liquid, and device provided therewith

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WO2022086335A9 (en) 2022-06-23
NL2026761B1 (en) 2022-06-17
WO2022086335A1 (en) 2022-04-28

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