초록 ▼

A float operated pneumatic pump which separates water from hydrocarbons within a well at the pump in accordance with the density or specific gravity of the water and hydrocarbon fluid. The pump includes a displaceable fluid inlet for allowing fluid to enter the pump which generally tracks the level

A float operated pneumatic pump which separates water from hydrocarbons within a well at the pump in accordance with the density or specific gravity of the water and hydrocarbon fluid. The pump includes a displaceable fluid inlet for allowing fluid to enter the pump which generally tracks the level of the water/hydrocarbon interface. The pump includes an outer tube forming an outer chamber and an inner or dip tube placed within the outer chamber of the outer tube and forming an inner chamber. A well float includes the fluid inlet and has a density which enable the float to remain in proximity to the water/hydrocarbon interface. A tubular coil or conduit provides fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the outer chamber. Also, a fluid separator is located at the bottom end of the outer tube and defines a fluid passage between the inner and outer chambers. In one configuration, the separator allows water to exit the pump from the outer chamber while the hydrocarbons remain within the outer chamber. In a second configuration, the separator prevents water from entering the pump and enables hydrocarbons to be discharged from the pump. In an alternative embodiment a single piece intake manifold is used which has a fixed fluid inlet. This permits the overall pump to be made significantly less in length to permit the pumping of shallower amounts of fluids from within a well.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A pneumatic pump which separates a first and second fluid within a well, where the first and second fluid each have a specific gravity and the specific gravity of the second fluid is less than the specific gravity of the first fluid, comprising:an outer tube forming an ou

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A pneumatic pump which separates a first and second fluid within a well, where the first and second fluid each have a specific gravity and the specific gravity of the second fluid is less than the specific gravity of the first fluid, comprising:an outer tube forming an outer chamber therein;an inner tube forming an inner chamber therein, the inner tube disposed within the outer chamber of the outer tube;an inlet manifold in proximity to a second end of the inner and outer tubes, the manifold having an internal fluid passage with first and second ends the second end of the fluid passage being connected by a second fluid passage to the outer chamber, the inlet manifold having a valve to enable fluid flow in a first direction from the first end of the fluid passage to the outer chamber and inhibiting fluid flow in an opposite direction;a well float having a floating fluid inlet disposed in proximity to an interface between the first and second fluids and having a specific gravity such that the well float floats in both the first and second fluids and the inlet remains in proximity to the interface between the first and second fluids, the float including the floating fluid inlet formed thereon for receiving at least one of the first and second fluids;the conduit providing fluid passage between the floating fluid inlet and the first end of the internal fluid passage;a fluid separator at a first end of the outer tube, the separator defining a fluid passage between the inner and outer chambers, where in a first configuration, the first fluid exits the pump from the outer chamber while the second fluid remains within the outer chamber, and in a second configuration, the first fluid is sealed from entering the pump from an area exterior to the pump and the second fluid may be discharged from the pump; anda discharge housing to exhaust air from the pump to enable entry of fluid into the outer chamber and to introduce air into the pump to enable discharge of fluid from the outer chamber via the inner chamber, the discharge housing also having a fluid passage to communicate fluid from the inner chamber of the pump.