Split process pulser pump model
                           Made from clear acrylic plastic and clear plastic  tubes
If you like DIY and you like a challenge, this model is fun to make. When it is working,
                it is nice to see people puzzling out how the thing works.
Acrylic plastic is expensive but you may get the pieces second hand. Shops often use them to display prices and I have been given quite large pieces already with bends for free. Often perfumes are displayed on fancy acrylic stands. The shop has no use for them when the promotion is over.
The tubing can be obtained in hardware stores, laboratory suppliers or wine makers supplies.

This model is easy to make and you can develop skills with the heat gun , soldering iron, and acrylic plastic when making it. Always work in a well ventilated area when using plastics and glue.
The model is of a split process pump.
You can make a simpler model if you leave out the walking stick shaped 19 mm pipe, hole c in the top container and the water delivery pipe and just extend the air pipe straight up. The simpler model is quite useful for demonstration and easier to build.
Equipment list Drill, soldering iron, measuring tape, hacksaw and a clamp.

Materials list 2 pieces of acrylic plastic about 360 mm by 360 mm, some pieces of wood
                                12 ft (3m) of 19 mm clear plastic pipe 5m of 4.5 mm clear plastic pipe, a piece of 1/2 in (13 mm) copper pipe, a wall or some 8 by 4 plywood to set it up, some nails, some glue (either silicone sealant, or pipe cement).

 We include a larger (more legible and printable) copy of this at the end of this page. Some respondents had trouble with the 4.5 mm air pipe so perhaps it is better to use 6 mm tubing for this pipe in your model.
                                   Pulser Pump Model

The diagram below  shows  the bottom piece of acrylic plastic cut and ready for bending. The holes should be drilled or punched to about 1/2 inch diameter.  To punch, use a piece of 1/2 inch (13 mm) copper pipe. heat the preps and the end of the pipe and you can simply push it through the soft acrylic. (Do it on a piece of wood. Punching is much better than drilling because acrylic plastic is brittle. The small hole is drilled or burned through with a nail. (3 or 4 mm diameter.)

The 4 vertical dotted lines are for heating and bending. The acrylic plastic is clamped along the line, heat is applied slowly to both surfaces close to the line and it is bent when malleable enough.
When these 4 are bent at 90 degrees, you have a a box shape with a small lap and open at both ends. Next, weld the lap down at both ends with the soldering iron. It only needs a short dab to keep it together. Next, the lid and bottom of the box are bent down and the 2 welds are done on each end. Next use the techniques described on the frugal page to fit the plastic pipes to the acrylic container. When this is done, it is time to seal all around the edges with the silicone bonding material or with plastic pipe cement.
Email
Page Contents
Home page
Pulser index page

                                   The top container

Now, you are all ready to join up the pipes and hopefully all is fitting tightly. I have found that a plastic cola bottle is ideal to join the 19mm pipe to the two 4.5 mm pipes. Cut off at the neck, the cola bottle fits tightly over the 19 mm pipe (with a little help from the heat gun) drill 2 small holes in the bottle top, fit the two 4.5 mm pipes tighten the lid on and you have a good joint.
This model can work poorly at the start because no fall back occurs. (The pipe surface is greasy and repels water). To counteract this, place a 30 cm long piece of thin wire in the bottom of the air pipe and in the water delivery pipe.  (The water falls back beside the wire). Later on, as the pipes get a bit dirty, there is no problem!
 I hope all goes well as you make the model. Do not despair if it takes time to learn the techniques.
 email me about any problems.
                                Pulser Pump Model