| CPC B01D 61/10 (2013.01) [B01D 61/025 (2013.01); C02F 1/441 (2013.01); F03B 13/1815 (2013.01); F03B 13/1855 (2013.01); F03B 13/187 (2013.01); F03B 13/1875 (2013.01); F03B 13/188 (2013.01); F03B 13/189 (2013.01); F03B 13/20 (2013.01); F04B 17/00 (2013.01); F04B 43/0072 (2013.01); F04B 43/10 (2013.01); F04B 43/12 (2013.01); B01D 2313/18 (2013.01); B01D 2313/243 (2013.01); C02F 2103/08 (2013.01); C02F 2201/005 (2013.01); Y02A 20/144 (2018.01); Y02E 10/30 (2013.01)] | 9 Claims |

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1. A method for pumping a liquid, the method comprising:
providing a rigid outer column for receiving the liquid;
providing an inner, deformable hose within the rigid outer column, the inner, deformable hose having a distal end with a one-way valve to allow the liquid to enter the distal end of the inner, deformable hose, and the inner, deformable hose having a proximal end with a one-way valve to allow the liquid to exit the proximal end of the inner, deformable hose;
wherein the inner, deformable hose has an inner lumen and two or more selectively inflatable segments:
positioning the inner, positioning the inner, deformable hose into a first, rigid configuration to allow the inner, deformable hose to fill with the liquid:
after the inner, deformable hose has filled with the liquid positioning the inner, deformable hose into a second, flaccid configuration to allow the liquid to exit the proximal end of the inner deformable hose;
providing a liquid-raising device for raising liquid within the inner, deformable hose, the liquid-raising device comprising at least one compression device to electively close the inner, deformable hose and move along the inner, deformable hose;
providing a selectively inflatable buoyancy support attached to the liquid-raising device, and wherein the method further comprises selectively inflating the selectively inflatable buoyancy support to raise the at least one compression device along the inner, deformable hose.
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