Aquacultural Engineering 6 (1987) 97-110

Design of Airlift Pumps for Water Circulation and Aeration in Aquaculture

Nick C. Parker and Mary A n n a Suttle US Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory, Marion, Alabama 36756, USA

ABSTRACT Water flow rates were measured in airlift pumps 3"75-30 cm in diameter to develop performance data that might be useful to aquaculturists. Flows were determined when submergence of airlifts was 100% and when the center-line of the discharge was between 12"5 cm above and 5 cm below the water surface. Air was injected at 15-cm intervals from 15 cm to 120 cm below the discharge of the airlift and airflow was varied from 28 to 1416 liters rain- 1. A n increase in the vertical lift reduced flow rates greatly in large-diameter pipes, but only slightly affected flow rates in small-diameter pipes. Water flow increased linearly as airflow increased logarithmically.

INTRODUCTION Water circulation and aeration in aquaculture ponds have increased primary productivity, reduced stratification, increased nutrient solubilization, reduced organic accumulation on the bottom, and increased fish production. Pond aeration techniques have been investigated to increase the growth, survival, and production of both fish (Ito et al., 1974; Sarig and Marek, 1974; Parker, 1979, 1983) and crustaceans (Morrissy, 1979; Apud and Camacho, 1980). Airlift pumps of various sizes and configurations have been used to circulate and aerate pond water, but due to fluctuating water level in ponds, not all systems have worked reliably and efficiently. The design and flow predictions for airlift pumps have typically been based on data derived from small systems suitable for aquaria and tanks, or from performance charts showing the vertical lift capacity of airlifts that are 40-90% submerged (Spotte, 1970; Castro etal., 1975; Murray etal., 1981). 97

98

N. C Parker, M. A. Suttle

Ivens (1914) reported that airlift pumps were tested in a laboratory in Germany as early as 1797 and that their first practical application in the United States was in pumping oil in Pennsylvania in 1846. In the aquatic sciences, airlift pumps have been used to collect samples of seawater (Tokar et al., 1981); to provide aeration, agitation, and pumping in sewage treatment plants (Andeen, 1974); and to provide aeration, destratification, and pumping for aquaculture (Rappaport et al., 1976; Wheaton, 1977; Parker et al., 1984). Several investigators have reported the flow rates of small-diameter airlift pumps used to lift water vertically. Spotte (1970) presented data on the vertical lift capacity of airlift "pumps 2.5-15 cm in diameter and 40-70% submerged. Spotte (1979) revised the water flow rates from his earlier edition and also included flow rates of air. Castro et al. (1975) reported on the pumping rate of airlift pumps 1.27-7.62 cm in diameter, 30 cm to 3.7 m long, and 40-70% submerged. Todoroki et al. (1973) developed equations for predicting the flow in airlift pumps 2.5-10 cm in diameter, 4-42 m long, and 40-80% submerged. Airlift pumps used to circulate water in ponds operate almost totally submerged and need to move water only from the bottom of the pond to the surface. The theory of operation and equations describing performance for airlift pumps operated in this mode have previously been reported by Nicklin (1963). Murray et al. (1981) defined the nomenclature used to describe airlift pumps, discussed theory of operation, and presented performance data on pumps of 1-78-3.65 cm in diameter operated at 50-80% submergence. Performance data on airlift pumps operated at 90-100% submergence have not been presented previously. The first objective of our study was to determine the influence of three variables -- pipe diameter, depth of air injection (commonly referred to as submergence ratio), and volume of air injected -- on the water flow rate of airlift pumps suitable for use in aquaculture ponds. Our further objective was to report these data in a format reflecting actual and expected performance under field conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Water flow rates were determined in eight airlift pumps 3.75-30 cm in diameter into which various volumes of air were injected at different depths. Replicate measurements were made under each test condition until three similar readings were obtained. The mean of these three readings was accepted as the flow rate under the test conditions.

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

99

Airlift pump operation Airlift pumps with nominal diameters of 3.75, 5.0, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm (actual internal diameters were 4.4, 5-2, 7.6, 10"2, 15-4, 21.0, 26.4 and 31-3 cm) were constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Each pump consisted of a vertical section of pipe fitted with a 90* elbow at the upper end (Fig. 1). Air was injected into the side of the vertical pipe through a series of 1.25-cm holes placed at 15-cm intervals from 15 to 120 cm below the horizontal arm of the PVC elbow. There was only one hole per 15-cm interval in 3-75-15 cm diameter pipes, two holes per interval in 20 cm diameter pipes and three holes per interval in 25 and 30 cm diameter pipes. Each 1.25-cm hole was tapped to receive a 1.25cm hose adapter. The bottom of the vertical pipe (the airlift pump intake) was 130 cm below the horizontal arm of the elbow (the airlift pump discharge). The bottom of the discharge elbow was placed 1.25 cm above the water level in a flume, located just above the water surface (Fig. 1) and
Ptel|ure
T

gauge
Air * walter separation

Flume

1.25

cm

A*

pump

..--.b~ e

1,25 m

Air

line

.......

130

cm

e~

Fig. 1. Test apparatus for measuring water flow in airlift pumps. Each pump consisted of a 90 elbow and a vertical riser. The discharge was 1.25 cm above the surface of the

water and was measured volumetrically or in a flume after passing through an egg-crate type baffle to reduce turbulence. For each test air was injected into one of eight 1.25-cm holes at 15-cm intervals in the vertical riser, while the other seven holes were plugged.

100

N. C. Parker, M. A. Suttle

water flow was measured as air was injected into the 1-25-cm holes. Air volume was regulated with a series of rotameter type flow gauges (Dwyer Instruments Inc., Michigan City, Indiana, USA), and adjusted from 28 to 224 liters min- 1. Values were not corrected to standard temperature and atmospheric pressure (STP) conditions; measurements were made when water and air temperature was about 20-25C. Reported air flow values may have a 7-8% error as compared with values at STP conditions. Air was injected at only one depth at a time while the other 1.25-cm holes were plugged. For airlift pumps 3.75.--10 cm in diameter, water flow was measured by volumetric displacement during a timed interval. For airlift pumps 15-30 cm in diameter, water flow was. measured in Palmer-Bowlus flumes (manufactured and calibrated by Plastic-Fab Inc.,

Plastic

bag

.sf

~'~

Pump discharge

Fig. 2. Arrangement of plastic bag for collection of airlift pump discharge for volumetric measurement. The bag was quickly slipped under the lower edge of the discharge pipe (A) and arranged to allow escape of air as discharge filled the bag (B).

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

101

Tualatin, Oregon, USA). Water depth in the flume was measured and flow rates were taken from tables published by Grant (1979). All measurements of water and air represent the mean of three independent measurements made at approximately 5-min intervals after flows were stabilized. We analyzed all data using Hewlett-Packard software packages in a Hewlett-Packard-9845 computer. Best-fit equations were selected from linear, logarithmic, exponential, and polynomial regression models to predict water flow rates when air flow varied over the range of 28-224 liters minFlow rates were calculated with linear, logarithmic, exponential, and polynomial regression equations for air volumes up to 1416 liters min- ]. Projected water flow rates at air flows above 224 liters min-] (up to 1416 liters rain- ~) were then verified in 5 and 10 cm diameter pipes by increasing the air volume from 224 to 1 138 liters min-~ and measuring

Air 1 160 80
0

Flow

(cubic 5

feet 10

per

minute) 50

3.75

cm

~"
I

'E ce

P---~, 25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 250 1000

ill
A B 40 20
0

la

1
L

5
. . . . . . . .

lO
. . . . .

so
_A
c

240f

5 cm

60
.

ca

'7.. 1 8 o

4o

;.

25 Air

100 Flow

250 (liters

1000 min -1)

Fig. 3. Water flow rates in airlift pumps with diameters of 3.75 cm (upper panel) and 5.0 cm (lower panel) when air was injected into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), 30 /G). and 15 (H). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.

102

N. C Parker, M. A. Sunle

water flow. The effects of depth of submergence and vertical lift were also evaluated. Air at a flow rate of 85 liters min- 1 was injected into airlift pumps with diameters of 5"0, 7-5 and 10 cm at a depth of 60 cm below the center-line of the discharge from the pump. Under these conditions, flow rates were measured when the center-line of the airlift discharge was at the surface of the water and when elevated 2.5, 5"0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 cm above the surface or submerged 2.5 or 5.0 cm below the surface. The maximum submergence was limited to slightly less than the diameter of the airlift pump tested; at no time was the top of the discharge pipe completely submerged. Volumetric measurements were made during the submergence tests by collecting airlift discharges in large plastic bags (with tops open to allow air to escape) held under the discharge pipes (Fig. 2). RESULTS A N D DISCUSSION Logarithmic regression provided the best-fit model for empirically derived water flow rates for airlift pumps; data were plotted on a semilog
Air Flow 1
, ,

(cubic 5
. , .

feet 10
. l .

per

minute) 50
, , i A

50O

7.5

cm

/ B

140 120 1
IO0
m

400
o t..

C
D E

"

300
F

80 60

200
0

,o

i
@

100 25
Air

100
Flow

250
(liters

1000
rain " 1 )

I0

"

Fig. 4. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 7-5 cm in diameter, when air was injected into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), 30 (G), and 15 (H). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1-25 cm above the surface of the water.

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

103

scale (Figs 3-9). Flow rates in 5 and 10 cm diameter pipes with air flows of 2 8 - 2 2 4 liters min- 1 were used to project water flow beyond the range of the initial test. The predicted flow rates were verified in additional laboratory tests of 5 and 10 cm diameter pipes when air flow was 1 138 liters min-1. In airlifts of all sizes, flow rates increased as either air flow, the depth of air injection, or both, increased. The no-flow conditions described by Murray et al. (1981) were not approached in our test even in the small-diameter pipes. An increase in air flow rate increased water flow rate in all size pumps even though the increase was slight in smalldiameter pipes. Slight differences in submergence of airlift pumps altered water flow rates significantly. Water flow was highest when the center-line of the discharge was at or slightly below the surface of the water (Figs 10-12). Flows decreased as the discharge was elevated above the water surface. Pickert (1932) cautioned that only flows from airlifts of identical submergence and length could be compared with each other. Recognizing that caution, we compared the flow rates of our 3.75 cm diameter air-

Air
1 . 10

Flow

(cubic
5 .

feet
10 . .

per

minute)
50

600

. cm

. 140

soo
_ 400 ~ 300 . F G 80 E 100 120

E ,-, = c 0 "

o
u.
60

;
(u

200
40
100 20

o
u.

0 25 100 250 1000 rain -1)

Air

Flow

(liters

Fig. 5 . Water flow rates in an airlift pump 10 cm in diameter when air was injected into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (Bt, 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), and 30 (G). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.

104

N. C. Parker, M. A. Suttle
Alr 1 Flow

(cubic
5

feet
10

per

minute)
50 180

1000
:40 ,.'

800

.-"
0 '-

,,oo ;
O. m

,-

e
,* _

600

60

o
01 ot v

20 400
O Ik

~o
200
~0

O 25 100 250 1000 rain "1)

Air

Flow

(liters

Fig. 6. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 15 cm in diameter when air was injected into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), and 30 (G). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.

lift p u m p with air injected at 73 liters m i n - l, 60 and 120 cm below the surface (Fig. 3) with flow rates reported by Castro and Zielinski (1980). O u r flow rates were 51 and 77 liters m i n - l, respectively, for the 60 and 120 cm d e p t h of air injection, c o m p a r e d with the rates of 73 and 98 liters min-~ reported by Castro and Zielinski. T h e s e differences were probably due to differences in submergence. O u r m e a s u r e m e n t s were m a d e with the b o t t o m or flow-line of the discharge pipe 1.25 cm above the surface of the water. Castro and Zielinski measured flow at 100% submergence, presumably with the center-line of the discharge pipe at the surface of the water. T h e flow rates presented in Figs 3 - 9 are about 1 0 - 4 0 % less than the m a x i m u m flows obtainable from airlifts of similar size with similar rates of air injection. For example, in a 5 cm diameter airlift operated with 85

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

Air 1 Flow (cubic 5 feet 10 per minute) 50 80 1000
40

105

800

oo

600

60

_ o

20

400
0 D

o
20o o

C 25 Air 100 Flow 250 (liters 100o min "1)

Fig. 7. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 20 cm in diameter when air was injectexi into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), and 30 (G). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.

liters min- ~of air injected at a depth of 60 cm below the center-line of the discharge, the flow rate was about 12% greater when the vertical lift was zero than when it was 1.25 cm (Fig. 10). The flow in a 7-5. cm diameter airlift increased about 16% when the vertical lift was reduced from 1.25 cm to zero (Fig. 11 ). Changing the vertical lift in a 10 cm diameter airlift from 1.25 to zero increased flows about 38% (Fig. 12). The depth of submergence or, conversely, the vertical lift, affected flow rates in proportion to the diameter of the airlift. The effect of change in depth of submergence on flow was only slight i n small-diameter airlifts, but was very substantial in large-diameter pipes. In our test, flow rates in 7.5 cm airlift pumps were increased about 5 - 1 0 % when air was injected through a series of 1.6-mm holes around the pipe rather than through a single 1.25-cm hole. However, the

106
Air 1 Flow

N. C. Parker, M. A. Suttle
(cubic 5 feet 10 per minute) 50

120i

120
~ao

.-"

1 001
~40 "

.c
E

C -S
el

;
IIL

,
" v

801
!00
0

]=

60~

60

~=a
I o --

o
u. 20

""

401

u.

20t

|o
L .)

25 Air

100

250

1000 rain "1)

Flow

(liters

Fig. 8. Waterflowrates in an airliftpump 25 cm in diameterwhenair was injectedinto

the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), 45 (F), and 30 (G). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.

increase in flow rate was too small to justify the additional expense or effort required to provide this radial air injection. Ward (1924), who tested different types of air injectors, concluded that there should be no central air injection nozzle or other obstruction to the flow of water. He found that special devices were not required to mix air with water in airlift pumps. He also reported that small fine bubbles provided no advantage because small bubbles quickly coalesced into larger bubbles as they traveled up through the water column. Threaded holes fitted with 90* hose adaptors have worked well as injection ports in our tests and in subsequent field applications at this laboratory and in field tests in US Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Hatcheries in San Marcos, Texas; Natchitoches, Louisiana; Edenton, North Carolina; and the Marion State Fish Hatchery, Marion, Alabama.

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

Air 1 Flow (cubic 5 feet 10 per minute) 50 80 1000 40
A

107

'

800

oo

;
C

600

60

20 400 o
~0

200

o 25 Air lO0 Flow 250 (liters 100o rain " 1 )

Fig. 9. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 30 cm in diameter when air was injected into the vertical riser at different distances (cm) below the surface of the water: 120 (A), 105 (B), 90 (C), 75 (D), 60 (E), and 45 (F). All measurements were made with the flow-line of the discharge 1.25 cm above the surface of the water.
100" 90" ,~ C m

~'-'
[,~ ~

80.
?0-

~: ""

5o,

i 40t 30

-'a

io

,'2

1,

VERTICAL LIFT (era) Fig. 10. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 5-0 cm in diameter, into which 85 liters min- t of air were injected 60 cm below the center-line of the discharge, while the centerline of the airlift discharge was below, at, or above the surface of the water.

108
2oo T

N.C. Parker, M. A. Suttle

120~-

40

-~

12

1'o

1'4

VERTICAL

LIFT ( c m )

Fig. I I. Water flow rates in an airliftp u m p 7.5 c m in diameter, into which 85 liters rain- ~ of air were injected 60 c m below the ccnter-line of the discharge, while the centcrline of the airliftdischarge was below, at, or above the surface of the water.

2eo T
T

i0

cm

220+

I~ ~

140. tOO-

eo+
201

-6

-2

10

J 14

VERTICAL LIFT ( c m )

Fig. 12. Water flow rates in an airlift pump 10 cm in diameter, into which 85 liters min- ~of air were injected 60 cm below the center-line of the discharge, while the centerline of the airlift discharge was below, at, or above the surface of the water.

O n the basis of the cost of materials, installation, and operation, we found 7.5 and 10 c m diameter airlift p u m p s to be m o r e appropriate than either larger or smaller ones for destratifying 0.02- to 2.0-ha ponds. O n e airlift p u m p per 0"02- or 0.04-ha p o n d prevented stratification when 85 liters m i n - t of air was injected into the vertical riser at a point 60 cm below the surface of the water. In larger p o n d s 7.5 and 10 cm diameter p u m p s have been installed at the rate of 25 per ha at this laboratory and in other US Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. U n d e r these conditions, a regenerative blower (see Parker, 1983, for description of types of blowers and compressors) with a nameplate rating of 1 kW (1.34 hp) operated 27 airlift p u m p s with water flow rates

Airlift pumps for water circulation and aeration

109

of 150-230 liters min -1 each; the total combined flow rates from 27 airlifts ranged from 4050 to 6210 liters min -1 for 7.5 and 10 cm diameter pumps, respectively. Vertical lift was essentially zero as these airlifts were adjusted for maximum flow to produce circulation and vertical mixing of water in ponds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank C. Suppes, and I. Quinata, Missouri Department of Conservation, and G. Chamberlain, Texas A & M University, for their critical review of the manuscript. Reference to trade names in this paper does not constitute endorsement by the US Government.

REFERENCES Andeen, G. B. (1974). Bubble pumps. Compressed Air Mag. (January), 16-18. Apud, E D. & Camacho, A. S. (1980). Effects of water movement and aeration system on the survival and growth of hatchery bred sugpo (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) in earthen nursery ponds. Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. Q. Res. Report, 4 (3), 15-18. Castro, W. E. & Zielinski, P. B. (1980). Pumping characteristics of small airlift pumps. Proc. World Mariculture Soc., 11,163-74. Castro, W. E., Zielinski, P. B. & Sandifer, P. A. (1975). Performance characteristics of airlift pumps of short length and small diameter. Proc. World Mariculture Soc., 6, 451-61. Grant, D. M. (1979). Open Channel Flow Measurement Handbook, Instrumentation Specialties Company, Lincoln, Nebraska. lto, T., Toi, J. & Satomi, Y. (1974). The effect of artificial pond water circulation and feeding on productivity in carp culture ponds. Bull. Freshwater Fisheries Res. Lab. (Tokyo), 24(2), 65-77. Ivens, E. M. (1914). Pumping by Compressed Air, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Morrissy, N. M. (1979). Experimental pond production of mairon, Cherox tenuimanus (Smith ) (Decapoda: Parastacidae). Aquaculture, 16, 319-44. Murray, K. R., Poxton, M. G., Linfoot, B. T. & Watret, D. W. ( 1981 ). The design and performance of low pressure air lift pumps in a closed marine recirculation system. Proc. World Symp. on Aquaculture in Heated Effluents and Recirculation Systems, Stavanger, 28-30 May, 1980. Vol. I, Berlin, W. Germany, pp. 413-28. Nicklin, D. J. (1963). The airlift pump: Theory and optimisation. Trans. Instr. Chem. Engrs, 41, 29-39.

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N. C. Parker, M. A. Suttle

Parker, N. C. (1979). Striped bass culture in continuously aerated ponds. Proc. Southeastern Assoc. Fish WildlifeAgencies, 33,353-60. Parker, N. C. (1983). Airlift pumps and other aeration techniques. In: Water quality in channel caO~sh ponds, ed. C. S. Tucker, Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 290. Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, pp. 24-7. Parker, N. C., Suttle, M. A. & Fitzmayer, K. (1984). Total gas pressure and oxygen and nitrogen saturation in warmwater ponds aerated with airlift pumps. Aquacultural Engineering, 3, 91-102. Pickert, I. E (1932). The theory of the airlift pump. Engineering, 134, 19-20. Rappaport, A., Sarig, S. & Marek, M. (1976). Results of tests of various aeration systems on the oxygen regime in the Genosar experimental ponds and growth of fish there in 1975. Bamidgeh, 28(3 ), 35-49. Sarig, S. & Marek, M. (1974). Results of intensive and semi-intensive fish breeding techniques in Israel in 1971 - 1973. Bamidgeh, 26(2), 28-48. Spotte, S. H. (1970). Fish and Invertebrate Culture: Water Management in Closed Systems, Wiley-Interscience, New York. Spotte, S. (1979). Fish and Invertebrate Culture: Water Management in Closed Systems(2nd Edn), Wiley-Interscience, New York. Todoroki, F., Sato, Y. & Honda, T. (1973). Performance of air-lift pump. Bulletin of the JSMI, 16(94), 733-41. Tokar, J. M., Harvey, G. R. & Chesal, L. A. (1981). A gas lift system for large volume water sampling, Deep-Sea Res., 28A(11 ), 1395-9. Ward, C. N. (1924). An experimental study of airlift pumps. Water Works, 1275-8. Wheaton, E W. (1977). Aquacultural Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, New York.