VolantaThermalSolar

Alowcostalternativeforsolarpoweredcommunitywatersupply

ProductSheet

Withintheaimofexploringnewapplicationsforlowcost renewableenergy,
PRACTICA is developing a thermal solar powered, steam driven Volanta
pump,arobustdeepwellpumpforcommunitywatersupply.

Thetechnology

Thecontext

VolantapumpsareinuseacrossWestAfricanashandpumps.Thethermal
solar version can replace expensive and theftprone Photovoltaic pumps of
varioustypes,andhaspowerfulapplicationsincaseswherethewatertables
areverylowand/orlargequantitiesofwaterareneeded.
The advantages of solar thermal over solar PV pumps include much lower
investment costs and reduced risk of theft. Compared with fuel engine
drivendeepwellpumps,theadvantagesarelowerenergycostsandreduced
environmental impact, which is particularly important in climate change
relatedpovertyreductionprograms.
Asolarcollectorheatswatertoproducesteam.Thissteamdrivesasteam
enginewhichisdirectlyconnectedtothepump.Forthesolarcollector,both
vacuum tube collector and linear Fresnel concentrator types are currently
beingtestedforsteamproduction,longevityandcost.
Theengineusesadiaphragminsteadofapistonandallpartsthatcomeinto
contactwiththesteamaremadeofdurableplasticastominimisewearand
condensationlosseswhichreducetheoverallefficiencyofthepumpsystem.
Thefacts

Costs
Capacity

2.5003.500(dependingoncollectorsurface)
At20mdepth:
3m3/daywith1collectormodule(3.5m2)
24m3/daywith8collectormodules
At60mdepth:
8m3/daywith8collectormodules
Movingthroughdevelopmentandfieldtesting.Productlaunchplannedfor 2011.

Availability

Theapplication

Small steam engines used for this application have traditionally had the
problem of low efficiency, which has so far hampered the application of
these engines with solar power. Through many years of small engine R&D,
PRACTICAhasbeenabletoimprovetheefficiency,reducingcostandmaking
thisapproachmoreaffordableforcommunitiesandNGOprograms.
SpecificusesoftheVolantaThermalSolarareexpectedtobein:
o Ruralcommunitieswherethewateristoodeepformanualpumping;
o Ruralcommunitieswithpipeddistributionsystems;and
o Institutionssuchasschools,ruralhealthcentres,etc.
The current state of development is prototype field testing, which will
expandthroughtheendof2009andbeginningof2010.Dataobtainedfrom
the field will lead to optimization and finalization of the design of the
collectorandtheengine.
Training and introduction of local production or implementation of the
Volanta Thermal Solar can be provided by PRACTICA after field testing and
productoptimizationarecompleted.Organizationsinterestedinsupporting
development of this promising pump through funding or field testing are
encouragedtocontactPRACTICA.

NextSteps
Thissolarpumpismovingthroughdevelopment.
FieldtestingisongoinginBurkinaFaso.Next
stepsplannedfor2009and2010are:

o ContinuationoffieldtestinginBurkinaFasoin
cooperationwiththelocalVolantapump
productionfacility;
o Continuingthedevelopmentofthesolar
collectorforoptimalsunsteamconversion;
Onceprototypetestinghasbeencompleted,the
designwillbeoptimizedandfirststepswillbe
takenfortestingofasmallpreproductionseries
ofpumps.

PRACTICA Foundation develops and

disseminates
lowcost
appropriate
technologyinwaterandrenewableenergyin
developing countries. We focus on
technology that responds to local cultural
contexts, can be locally produced and
maintained, and leverages existing market
systems.
Pleasecontactusat:
e:info@practicafoundation.nl
t:+31786150125

www.practicafoundation.nl
NeedsAssessments|LowcostProductDesign|TechnicalTraining
SupplyChainDesign|QualityControl|FieldFollowup|Evaluation

Water|Energy