Air-surging

Air-surging

The other method of surging, through the use of an air lift, also can be effective.

This is constructed by dropping two pipes into the well, each capable of being lifted or dropped independently.

The larger, called the pumping or eductor pipe, is about 2" less diameter than the well casing and contains the smaller air pipe.

The air pipe ranges from 1/2" inside a 2" eductor for a 4" casing to 2-1/2" inside an 8" eductor for a well casing 10" or larger.

An air compresser with its outlet connected to an air tank is required.

The air tank is in turn connected by a goodly length of high-pressure hose to the air pipe.

A quick opening valve is connected at a convenient point to complete the essentials.

A tee at the top of the pumping pipe is fitted with a discharge pipe at the side.

Operations begin near the bottom of the well screen.

The pumping pipe is lowered to within two feet of that point.

The air pipe is positioned about a foot up inside the pumping pipe.

Water is then pumped slowly by conventional air lift method until the water is free of sand.

Then the outlet from the tank is closed until the pressure builds up to about 150 psi.

The air pipe drops below the pumping pipe outlet.

The quick opening valve lets the air in the tank rush into the well.

This surges water out through the well screen openings.

It also causes water to flow up through the casing and the pumping pipe, resulting in predictable soaking at ground level.

Then the pipe is brought back up inside the pumping pipe to continue the air lift.

This reverses the surging action by bringing water back out of the formation into the well.

The cycle is now complete.