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SW Saskatchewan | It was used here in wells driven into an artesian aquifier that didn't quite reach the surface before the days of rotary rigs and electric power.
Basically, an air compressor is used to pump air to the bottom of a well, the resulting water with bubbles is lighter than straight water and the pressure on the aquifier forces the combination water- air mix out the top of the well. Various designs were used to better "bubble" the water but a simple bend to form a J at the bottom of the well seemed to work.
The requirement was for a considerable depth of water in relation to the lift distance- I seem to recall that it had to be a 2-1 ratio but I am uncertain on that.
Was used for sand wells before the days of commercial screens- would lift a slurry of sand and water that would wear out a piston pump in no time. Also used to develop wells- could clear the bottom bedtter than a pump.
We have one cattle site that has one of these wells- 2" steel pipe driven about 60' down into an aquifer with water coming to 10' below surface. Original owner used a "iron horse" washing machine motor on a small diapragm compressor to pump water until electricity was available. He tried a piston pump but with sand was a killer
We now have a pit with a small single pipe jet pump that we very carefully thread a 1" plastic pipe down - with corrosion there is no room for a foot valve but with a stock waterer and a small valve to adjust volume to supply, the wonders of modern electricity keep the cows happy.
% gallons a minute- you are living in the promised land. The well at our yard is a gallon and a half a minute of questionable quality water but it will do- no cows - no yard - drink bottled but it washes the clothes and flushes the toilet!
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