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Forum Index : Windmills : air-lift pump thingy
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| AllanS Regular Member  Joined: 05/06/2006 Location: Posts: 67 |
Dwyer mentioned air-lift pumps. I've been thinking of using these as a way of squeezing some energy out of low grade heat. As the compressed air and water rises up the pump pipe, the bubbles expand, lifting the water. But what if it was hot water, heated by cheap solar panels? This would give you maybe 20% extra expansion, lifting the water even higher. Then run this water down a pipe thru a pelton wheel. This wheel not only makes the compressed air to drive the lift-pump, but also makes a bit of electricity. I don't know if inefficiencies would kill this device (do air-lift pumps give much bang for the buck?) but it's a neat idea, nonetheless. |
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| RossW Guru  Joined: 25/02/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 495 |
Are you saying "over-unity" systems? I hope not :) If the pelton wheel is making the compressed air to lift the water to drive the wheel.... well, it just ain't gunna work unless something gives more energy out than it uses! |
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| AllanS Regular Member Joined: 05/06/2006 Location: Posts: 67 |
Hi Ross, No over-unity dreaming here. The isothermal expansion of the gas (taking heat out of the water) does useful work, lifting the water higher than by the expansion of the compressed air alone. But how much higher, that's the question. High enough to compensate for the lift-pumps inefficiency? I somehow doubt it. Here's a natural lift-pump that makes fascinating reading. |
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