APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LIQUID PUMPING

摘要

It is to be understood that embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and a method for pumping a liquid, for example to recirculate liquid in a liquid storage tank by means of a gas lift pump. A perforated extension at the top of a gas lift allows the apparatus to be used in circumstances where the depth of liquid in the tank may vary over a wide range. Gases other than air may be used in the gas lift, so as to change the acidity and the concentrations of dissolved gases, particularly oxygen, in the liquid. The gas may be introduced into the gas lift through a whistle that generates intense sound waves and couples them into the liquid. These features when used in combination have particular application against invasive species in the ballast water of ocean-going tankers

主权项

1. A gas lift pump apparatus, comprising:
a column having a substantially upright portion through which a liquid medium may be pumped by gas lift; a fluid delivery device for delivering a flow of a gaseous fluid into the column at a first location of the column; a sonic energy generator operable to launch sonic energy into a liquid medium flowing through the column; and a bubble generator operable to provide gas bubbles in liquid in the column, the apparatus being operable to subject the bubbles to sonic energy generated by the sonic energy generator, wherein the column comprises a lift portion having a substantially continuous, unperforated wall and a perforated portion being a portion having a perforated wall, the lift portion of the column extending between the first location and the perforated portion of the column, and wherein the fluid delivery device is operable to deliver the flow of gaseous fluid into the column such that the gaseous fluid rises through the lift portion a first distance before entering the perforated portion.