Air compressor water pumps work by using pressurized air to lift water from a well or borewell to the surface.
An air compressor water pump, often used in borewells, operates on a simple principle based on the difference in density between a mixture of air and water and pure water. Unlike traditional pumps that use impellers or pistons underwater, this system uses compressed air delivered from the surface.
Here's the process:
- Air Compression: An air compressor located above ground compresses air to a high pressure.
- Air Delivery: The compressed air is forced down a pipe, typically called the air line, into the borewell or well, deep below the water level.
- Mixing: At the bottom of the air line, the compressed air is released into the water column. The air bubbles mix with the surrounding water within a second pipe, often called the lift pipe or delivery pipe.
- Creating a Lighter Mixture: By pressurizing air and forcing it through pipes into borewells, borewell compressor pumps create a mixture of compressed air and water that is less dense than the surrounding water.
- Upward Flow: Because this air-water mixture is significantly lighter than the solid column of water outside the lift pipe, the denser, surrounding water exerts pressure, pushing the lighter mixture upwards through the lift pipe.
- Water Discharge: The air-water mixture rises to the surface and is discharged, with the air separating from the water.
Think of it like shaking a bottle of soda – the bubbles make the liquid volume expand and become lighter relative to its container, causing it to rush upwards when opened. In a borewell compressor pump, the denser water outside the lift pipe provides the 'push'.
Key Components
- Air Compressor: Supplies the pressurized air.
- Air Line: Pipe carrying compressed air from the compressor into the water.
- Lift Pipe (Delivery Pipe): The pipe through which the water (mixed with air) travels upwards. The air line is often placed inside or alongside the lower portion of the lift pipe.
- Footpiece/Diffuser: A device at the bottom of the air line that helps disperse the air into the water as bubbles.
Practical Insights and Applications
Air compressor water pumps, often called air lift pumps, are particularly useful in specific scenarios:
- Deep Wells/Borewells: They are effective in very deep wells where submersible pumps might be impractical or expensive to install/maintain.
- Sandy or Abrasive Water: Since there are no moving parts underwater that come into contact with the sand, these pumps are highly resistant to damage from silt, sand, or other debris.
- Contaminated Water: If the water contains certain chemicals or is corrosive, using air to lift the water can be simpler than using mechanical pump components susceptible to damage.
- Aeration: The process naturally aerates the water as it is pumped.
Comparison Point (Simplified):
| Feature | Air Lift Pump (Compressor) | Submersible Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Underwater Parts | Only pipes and air release point | Motor and Impeller/Piston |
| Tolerance for Sand/Silt | High | Low to Moderate (depends on model) |
| Efficiency | Generally Lower | Generally Higher |
| Surface Equipment | Air Compressor | Control Box |
While generally less energy-efficient than mechanical pumps for the same volume of water lifted, their simplicity and durability in harsh conditions make them a valuable solution for specific borewell applications.
