A pneumatically driven fluid pump apparatus is disclosed which includes a pump casing having an inner wall, a pump cap secured at a first end of the pump casing, and a liquid discharge tube in communication with the pump cap and extending at least partially within an interior area of the pump casing toward a second end of the pump casing, and where fluid is admitted into the pump casing at the second end. The pump cap has an airflow inlet for receiving a pressurized airflow from an external pressurized air source, which helps displace liquid collecting within the pump casing upwardly through the liquid discharge tube. A flow channeling subsystem is in communication with the airflow inlet and directs the pressurized airflow towards the inner wall of the pump casing to create a swirling airflow within the pump casing that extends along at least portions of the inner wall. The swirling airflow entrains fluid within the pump causing the fluid to move in a circumferential swirling fashion toward the second end of the pump casing, which helps to clean the inner wall of the pump casing.

A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber and configured to be coupled to a pressurized air source, and a pump chamber valve coupled to the bottom end of the pump chamber. In addition, the pneumatic pump control system includes a discharge chamber having a top end and a bottom end, a discharge fitting coupled to the top end of the discharge chamber, a discharge check valve coupled to the bottom end of the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber valve, and an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber and configured to be coupled to a pressurized air source, and a pump chamber valve coupled to the bottom end of the pump chamber. In addition, the pneumatic pump control system includes a discharge chamber having a top end and a bottom end, a discharge fitting coupled to the top end of the discharge chamber, a discharge check valve coupled to the bottom end of the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber valve, and an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

A pneumatically driven fluid pump apparatus is disclosed which includes a pump casing having an inner wall, a pump cap secured at a first end of the pump casing, and a liquid discharge tube in communication with the pump cap and extending at least partially within an interior area of the pump casing toward a second end of the pump casing, and where fluid is admitted into the pump casing at the second end. The pressurized airflow causes a swirling flow of the liquid within the interior area of the pump casing that helps to clean the interior area of the pump casing by liquid scrubbing action to dislodge debris adhered within the interior area of the pump casing and remove the debris up through the liquid discharge tube and out from the fluid pump apparatus during a liquid eject cycle

A submersible fluid pump suitable for use in a landfill well includes an outer case extending along a vertical axis and at least partially defining an interior of the fluid pump, a fluid inlet and outlet, a discharge tube within the outer case and disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a float positioned around the discharge tube and within the outer case such that the float is within the discharge tube and the outer case, the float being movable along the discharge tube in an axial direction, a pneumatic valve configured to introduce pressurized air into the interior of the fluid pump, an actuator configured to open and close the pneumatic valve, and a plurality of magnets comprising a first magnet fixed with respect to the actuator and a second magnet fixed with respect to the float, the second magnet configured to magnetically repel the first magnet as the float moves to tip the actuator to either open or close the pneumatic valve.

A submersible fluid pump suitable for use in a landfill well includes an outer case extending along a vertical axis and at least partially defining an interior of the fluid pump, a fluid inlet and outlet, a discharge tube within the outer case and disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a float positioned around the discharge tube and within the outer case such that the float is within the discharge tube and the outer case, the float being movable along the discharge tube in an axial direction, a pneumatic valve configured to introduce pressurized air into the interior of the fluid pump, an actuator configured to open and close the pneumatic valve, and a plurality of magnets comprising a first magnet fixed with respect to the actuator and a second magnet fixed with respect to the float, the second magnet configured to magnetically repel the first magnet as the float moves to tip the actuator to either open or close the pneumatic valve.

A submersible pneumatic canister pump system for pumping liquid from a tank or underground location by incorporating a floating ball valve inside the pump for preventing air from exiting with the liquid discharge. The floating ball valve is located near the lower end of the pump and communicates with the discharge pipe. When liquid level approaches the lower end of the pump a ball of lighter density than the liquid rests on a seat and prevents further discharge of liquid and the passage of air out of the pump. Also shown are various pump control arrangements that can be used to operate the pump.

A desalination brine dispersal apparatus and method employ airlift to remove, oxygenate and disperse brine from a desalination apparatus. The apparatus includes a brine removal conduit having a brine inlet that receives brine from the desalination apparatus, a plurality of brine outlets submerged in seawater and one or more air introduction points located at depths below the brine outlets. The supplied air oxygenates and moves brine through the brine removal conduit and outlets via airlift and disperses the brine into seawater away from the brine removal conduit. The apparatus avoids the formation of concentrated, high shear brine plumes and can disperse brine into seawater over a wide area well away from the brine removal conduit.

A desalination brine dispersal apparatus and method employ airlift to remove, oxygenate and disperse brine from a desalination apparatus. The apparatus includes a brine removal conduit having a brine inlet that receives brine from the desalination apparatus, a plurality of brine outlets submerged in seawater and one or more air introduction points located at depths below the brine outlets. The supplied air oxygenates and moves brine through the brine removal conduit and outlets via airlift and disperses the brine into seawater away from the brine removal conduit. The apparatus avoids the formation of concentrated, high shear brine plumes and can disperse brine into seawater over a wide area well away from the brine removal conduit.

A submersible pneumatic canister pump system for pumping liquid from a tank or underground location by incorporating a valve inside the pump for preventing air from exiting with the liquid discharge. The floating-ball valve is located near the lower end of the pump and communicates with the discharge pipe. When liquid level approaches the lower end of the pump, a ball of lighter density than the liquid rests on a seat and prevents further discharge of liquid and the passage of air out of the pump. Also various pump control arrangements can be used to operate the pump and a quick-passage check valve can be used to enhance operation.