Operating Principals and Pump Operation

Operating Principles

When the Solinst Bladder Pump is placed in a well or borehole, water rises inside the bladder and sample tubing to static level. Compressed nitrogen or air is supplied to the pump via the drive tubing using a Control Unit. Applying pressure causes the bladder to compress and closes the bottom check valve, forcing water from the bladder into the sample tubing.

During a vent cycle the pressure is released from the drive tubing. The bladder returns to its initial state as water re-enters the pump, while the top check valve prevents water already in the sample tubing from falling back into the bladder. Cycling the drive and vent provides water flow, the rate of which can be adjusted for purging or sampling.

Pump Operation

Portable: The pump will be attached to skip-bonded, dual 1/4" OD tubing, mounted on a reel.

1. Push the drive and sample tubing over the tubing barbs on the stems. The drive tubing connects to the stem identified by a small dimple/indent beside it.

Note:

If required, use an awl to open the very tip of the tubing, or heat the tubing to help push it completely over all the barbs.
2. Lower the assembled Bladder Pump into the well, using a stainless steel safety line connected to the eye safety stem on the pump. The Solinst Model 103 Tag Line can be used as a safety line if required.
3. Connect the supply line from the compressed gas source to the Control Unit. The drive line connects from the Control Unit to the reel (drive and supply lines come with the Model 464 Electronic Pump Control Unit).
4. Attach a short (3 ft. or 1 m) length of 1/4" OD sample line to the sample connector on the reel.

For detailed pumping instructions, please see the Solinst Model 464 Control Unit Operating Instructions.

Dedicated: The pump will come with a roll(s) of tubing to be cut to length, as required, for attachment to a Wellhead.

1. Cut the tubing to desired length. Push the drive and sample tubing over the tubing barbs on the stems. The drive tubing connects to the stem identified by a small dimple/indent beside it.

Note:

If required, use an awl to open the very tip of the tubing, or heat the tubing to help push it completely over all the barbs.
2. Attach the sample line and drive line to the appropriate push fitting on the underside of the Wellhead (see diagram for use of push fittings and adaptors).
3. Lower the Bladder Pump into the well using Kevlar cord or a stainless steel safety line connected to the suspension hook on the Wellhead, if desired. Push the Wellhead down firmly onto the riser casing.
4. Attach a short (3 ft. or 1 m) length of sample line to the sample fitting on the Wellhead (see diagram for use of push fittings and adaptors).
5. Connect the supply line from the compressed gas supply to the Control Unit. The drive line connects from the Control Unit to the top of the Wellhead (drive and supply lines come with the Model 464 Control Unit).

For detailed pumping instructions, please see the Solinst Model 464 Control Unit Operating Instructions.

Wellheads come with three 1/4" push fit adaptors so that either 1/4" or 3/8" tubing can be used, as preferred.

To attach tubing just push into push fitting. To release tubing push down on both sides of the top ring and pull tubing out.

When the Bladder Pump is deployed without a Wellhead or Tubing Reel, use a Drive Line Adaptor to allow the connection of the drive line quick connect fitting from the Control Unit to the drive line pump tubing.