Air Lift in Water: How Much Does it Lift?

In summary, the internal pressure of a container does not affect its lift capability if it cannot expand, but injecting more air into one container will result in a higher weight and slightly reduced lift capacity.
  • #1
JP Mikl
12
0
Hi,

One cubic foot of air will lift approx 64 lbs in water (basically). So if you start at a xxx depth with a balloon that is one cf, as it rises and expands the lift capability increases, right? What if the container was an aluminum sphere. Actually, say you have 2 same size spheres, both are one cf in volume, but in one you increase the psi to 10 times that of the other. Neither will be able to actually expand as they rise to the surface, so does this mean that even if one has more air (under pressure) both will have the same exact lift capability?

Thx,

Jeff
 
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  • #2
JP Mikl said:
What if the container was an aluminum sphere. Actually, say you have 2 same size spheres, both are one cf in volume, but in one you increase the psi to 10 times that of the other. Neither will be able to actually expand as they rise to the surface, so does this mean that even if one has more air (under pressure) both will have the same exact lift capability?f

If neither container can expand, the internal pressure is irrelevant. However, if the pressure increase comes from injecting more air into the one container than the other, you will have a mass increase which means a higher (all be it slightly) weight, recuding the overall lift capacity.
 

Related to Air Lift in Water: How Much Does it Lift?

1. What is air lift in water?

Air lift in water is a process in which compressed air is pumped into a pipe that is submerged in water. The air rises through the pipe, carrying water with it, and creates a lifting force that can be used for various applications such as pumping water or aerating a body of water.

2. How does air lift work?

Air lift works by utilizing the principle of buoyancy. When compressed air is released into the submerged pipe, it creates bubbles that displace the surrounding water. This displacement creates a pressure differential, with higher pressure at the bottom and lower pressure at the top of the pipe. This pressure difference creates a lifting force that can be used to lift water or other materials.

3. What factors affect the amount of lift generated by air lift?

The amount of lift generated by air lift depends on several factors, including the amount of compressed air injected into the pipe, the size and design of the pipe, the depth of the water, and the density and viscosity of the water. In general, the deeper the water and the higher the concentration of compressed air, the greater the amount of lift that can be achieved.

4. What are the applications of air lift in water?

Air lift in water has many practical applications, including lifting water for irrigation or aquaculture, aerating bodies of water to improve water quality, and lifting sediment or debris from the bottom of a body of water. It can also be used in industries such as mining and oil and gas to lift materials to the surface.

5. Are there any limitations to the use of air lift in water?

While air lift in water can be a useful tool, there are some limitations to its use. The depth of the water and the density of the materials being lifted can impact the efficiency of the process. Additionally, air lift may not be suitable for lifting heavy or dense materials, as the lifting force is dependent on the buoyancy of the air bubbles. It is important to carefully consider these factors when using air lift for a specific application.

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