Heron's fountain

Various versions of Heron's fountain are used today in physics classes as a demonstration of principles of hydraulics and pneumatics.

If, however, the volumes of the air supply and fountain supply containers are designed to be much larger than the volume of the basin, with the flow rate of water from the nozzle of the spout being held constant, the fountain could operate for a far greater time interval.

The gravitational potential energy of the water which falls a long way from the basin into the lower container is transferred by pneumatic pressure tube (only air is moved upwards at this stage) to push the water from the upper container a short way above the basin.

[3] An example of Heron's fountain, built by Larry Fleinhardt, was featured in the 8th episode (titled "Tabu") of the 4th season of the television show Numb3rs.

Heron's fountain was featured in the first episode of How Britain Worked hosted by Guy Martin.

Executed example of a Heron's fountain in operation
Diagram of a functioning Heron's fountain
Simplified Heron's fountain principle
A reconstruction of Heron's fountain, at the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology , in Athens .