Extraction system with a pump having an elastic rebound inner tube

Abstract

An elastic rebound pump comprises a flexible inner tube having a substantial elastic rebound surrounded by a pump housing. The inner tube defines an inner chamber and the pump housing forms an outer chamber for confining a pump fluid. The pump allows pressurized gas or hydraulic fluid into the outer chamber to collapse the inner tube thereby discharging liquid from the inner chamber through an outlet opening. The pump alternatively releases the pressurized fluid from the outer chamber thereby allowing the inner tube to rebound to a full configuration and draw liquid into the inner chamber through the inlet opening. By repeatedly allowing pump fluid into the outer chamber and sequentially releasing the pump fluid from the outer chamber, the pump produces a substantially steady flow of liquid. An extraction pump system includes the elastic rebound pump for removing liquid hydrocarbons from ground water collected in a well. The elastic rebound pump fits easily into small diameter wells and can be suspended above the liquid hydrocarbons in the well. An alternative extraction pump system includes a submerisble pneumatic pump positioned within the ground water in the well for creating a cone of depression, and the elastic rebound pump and the submersible pump are driven simultaneously. In another disclosed extraction pump system, the elastic rebound pump is suspended within the housing of the submerged pneumatic pump. In still another disclosed extraction pump system, the elastic rebound pump is driven with pressurized ground water from a submersible pump.