Air-Powered Water System

Air-Powered Water System MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 28-2-40 A Michigan farmer says the air-powered water pumping system be set up for his own use worked so well, he decided to put it on the market. It consists of a windmill that drives an air compressor. The pressurized air is then used to bring water up from an ordinary well. "With this system you always have fresh water, versus filling a cistern with water and drawing from it," he says. "There's no cost to run it and it's virtually maintenance-free." Miller's 40-ft. windmill has a 10-ft. diameter rotor that drives a pressure lubricated, low-rpm air compressor located at the top of the windmill. Air lines run down to a 250-gal. air tank made of an old propane tank. When Miller turns on his water tap in the house, it triggers the release of air pressure from the tank, which pushes water into the house. He says it's quiet with no electric pump running. An air-powered displacement pump down in the well brings up the water. "If the windmill breaks down or the wind doesn't blow, you can use a small air compressor as a backup system to recharge the air tank," he says. "Our 250-gal. air tank works well, but we're planning toinstall a 2,500-gal. tank which will be enough to keep the water running for 14 to 20 days if the wind doesn't blow." Miller's windmills all have stainless steel and aluminum frames. He purchases the rotor heads from a windmill manufacturer and buys his towers locally. "You can locate the windmill up to a quarter mile away from the well," says Miller, who spent about $4,650 on his system. "The benefit of that is that you can put the windmill at the top of a hill or wherever the wind blows the best. This system works on any size up to 300 ft. deep." The systems that Miller sells include the head, 200 ft. of 1/2-in. pipe, and an airlift pump. Prices range from $2,795 to $4,195. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marvin Miller, 11606 Brickyard Rd., Holton, Mich. 49425 (ph 231 924-5953).

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