DRIVEN OR TUBE WELLS.
Fig. 175.
Fig. 175.
Fig. 175-A.
Fig. 175-A.
Aside from the wells described onpage 45and those following it, there are wells made by forcing iron tubing down into the earth until a water supply is reached. Within reasonable distances and in a remarkably large proportion, these pipe wells are directly connected with the suction part of hand pumps.
Note.—“When a well fails to yield a fair amount of oil or water, an increase in the flow is often effected by means of the Roberts torpedo. This is a thin water-tight cylinder of metal or paper, 4 to 6 ft. long and 2 or 3 in. in diameter, charged with powder, gun-cotton or nitro-glycerine. It is lowered to the bottom of the well, or to a depth that will bring it opposite the desired stratum, and the well is then flooded. The charge is exploded by a cap or electric spark, and the explosion often clears away the obstruction from the oil or water vein. This applies particularly to deep wells.”
Note.—“When a well fails to yield a fair amount of oil or water, an increase in the flow is often effected by means of the Roberts torpedo. This is a thin water-tight cylinder of metal or paper, 4 to 6 ft. long and 2 or 3 in. in diameter, charged with powder, gun-cotton or nitro-glycerine. It is lowered to the bottom of the well, or to a depth that will bring it opposite the desired stratum, and the well is then flooded. The charge is exploded by a cap or electric spark, and the explosion often clears away the obstruction from the oil or water vein. This applies particularly to deep wells.”
To this class also belong the famous oil and artesian wells which penetrate through earth and rock thousands of feet, many of them operated by power pumping machines.
Fig. 176.
Fig. 176.
Fig. 177.
Fig. 177.
The process of driving tube-wells resembles pile-driving, but with this distinction, that while piles receive the blows of the “monkey” on their heads, the tubes are not struck at all, the blow being communicated by the clamp, which receives the blow near the ground. The tube-well, as in ordinary use, is not intended for piercing rock or solid formations, but is quite capable of penetrating very hard and compact soils, and can be also successfully driven through chalk, breaking through the flints which may obstruct its passage downward. When solid masses of rock or stone are reached, special means of drilling have to be provided for it. When coming upon rock or stone, the best plan is to pull up the tube and try in another spot. This applies also when deep beds of clay are driven into; for, by going a little distance off, and testing again, in many cases water will be found.
Fig. 178.
Fig. 178.
The operation is as follows: The first or pioneer tube, shown in Fig. 175 is furnished with a steel point of bulbous form, and perforated with holes varying from one-eighth to an inch, extending from 15 in. to 3 ft. from the point, Fig. 178. The enlargement of the point serves to clear a passage for the couplings by which the tubes are screwed together. On this tube the clamp Fig. 176 is held about 3 ft. from the point by two bolts; the clamp is of wrought iron with steel bushing screwed internally so as to form teeth to grip the tube. Next, the cast-iron driving-weight or monkey is slipped on to the tube above the clamp. The monkey is operated with ropes.
Sucker-Rod Couplings.These couplings are usually made of iron galvanized and are used to connect the ends of wooden sucker rods for deep well pumps. Each half of coupling is secured to the end of wooden rods by three bolts; the ends of the couplings are joined by male and female threads in the usual way.
Either bolts or rivets may be used to attach the rods to the couplings.(See Fig. 179.)
Fig. 179.
Fig. 179.
Foundation—For the smaller sizes a foundation is not necessary, other than a good floor. With the large sizes it is advisable to have a substantial foundation. Concrete, well rammed into place, surmounted by a capstone, is as good as any. The foundation allows the pump to be run at a higher speed; a plan showing location of bolt-holes, position of flanges, and general dimensions, so that there may be no delay in setting the pump upon arrival at its destination.
Fig. 180.
Fig. 180.
Suction Pipe—The suction pipe should be as short and direct as possible, avoiding all turns not necessary. Place a strainer and foot-valve, Fig. 180, on the suction pipe. It is better for the pump to have a slight suction except when hot water is pumped, than to supply the water to the pump under a slight head.
Discharge Pipe—Make the discharge piping as straight as possible, using long bends.
Packing—The stuffing boxes should be carefully packed and the gland brought up firmly against the packing; screwing up the gland by hand should be sufficient.
Large sizes of suction and discharge pipe are desirable, because the friction of the water in the pipes thus reduced makes the pump work easier.