Abstract

People who lack access to basic water supply spend significant amount of time and energy in fetching
water from distant sources. This project focuses on the design and development of hydraulic ram pump.
This project evaluated the volume efficiency and functionality of the hydraulic ram pump in which the
device was tested at numerous trials. Results of the discharge and volumetric efficiency suggests that the
hydraulic ram pump is viable for domestic and agricultural purposes.

Keywords: Hydraulic Ram Pump, Water Supply, Efficiency

Balico, A.J., Dobluis, M., Padayao, J.P., & Vale, J. (2018). Design and Development of Hydraulic Ram
Pump. College of Engineering, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City.

1. Introduction
In third-world countries particularly in the Philippines, many remote and rural areas still lack a reliable
water source and a proper water supply system. In 2015, 92% of the total population had access to “at
least basic water”, or 94% in urban areas and 90% in rural areas and there were still 8 million people
without access to “at least basic water” (“Water supply and sanitation in the Philippines,” 2017).
People under these conditions are forced to fetch water from distant water sources. They spend
significant time and energy which results in lower living standards. Moreover, an inadequate supply of
water in an agricultural land can cause low production and poor animal husbandry growth. A reliable
solution to these problems is the use of motorized pumps and the proper installation of water supply
systems. However, the availability and cost of electric power are of great concern, especially in
underdeveloped regions. Thereupon, there is a need to use renewable energy technologies such as the
hydraulic ram pump.
Sustainable technology makes use of renewable energy sources which ensures low maintenance and
operating cost. The hydraulic ram pump achieves this ideal by transmitting water to a higher elevation
from a source through gravitational force without the use of any external energy such as electricity or
gasoline. In the agricultural sector, this technique can easily replace present fossil fuel-based pumping
systems for an average farmer due to its low cost (Adil et al., 2015). The design of the device is simple
compared to other pumps. These features make the hydraulic ram pump fitting and can easily be
constructed even in rural areas (Than, 2008).
This study focuses on the design and development of a hydraulic ram pump particularly in redesigning the
impulse valve and the use of cheaper materials in the process of fabrication.

2. Objectives

The design and development of the study is based on the set objectives of this paper. First, this study
aims to design and develop a hydraulic ram pump prototype having flow rate of 1000 liters per day.
Second, to test the functionality of the ram pump. Third, to determine the discharge and volumetric
efficiency of the ram pump.
3. Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Related  Design
studies and calculations
theories  CAD design
 Materials and and
equipment for simulation Hydraulic Ram
fabrication  Fabrication Pump
 Design data  Testing
and  Evaluation of
considerations efficiency and
 CAD software functionality

4. Materials & Methods

A design solution must meet certain criteria and/or possess specific attributes in order to be considered
successful. Design considerations were made in account of key parameters which include: materials
selection, the quantity of water required, the quantity of flow available from the source, vertical fall, and
the length of drive and delivery pipes. Basic design concepts were determined from the literature review
and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software was used during the design process. Computational fluid
mechanics were also used to determine the appropriate dimensions for the pump. Acquisition of materials
prior to fabrication were based on the availability and the cost. The pump was constructed from locally
available materials in order to lessen the cost and simplify the design.

5. Results and Discussion

In this chapter, the researchers present the results and discussions gathered in the testing of the

device. The findings are presented to provide a clear presentation and analysis of data.

Discharge

Fall (m) Lift (m) (L/min) (L/day)

 Volumetric

Efficiency

1.5 3.0 9.2 13,248 36.97%

1.5 3.5 6.9 9,936 29.15%

1.5 4.0 3.4 6,048 19.19%

1.5 4.5 1.7 2,448 11.46%

1.5 5.0 1.4 2,016 9.05%

During the conduct of the project, the researchers have succeeded in designing and developing a
functioning hydraulic ram pump with delivery flow rates 9.2 L/min at a delivery head of 3 m with 36.79%
efficiency, 6.9 L/min at a delivery head of 3.5 m with 29.95% efficiency, 3.4 L/min at a delivery head of
4 m with 21.96% efficiency, 1.7 L/min at a delivery head of 4.5 m with 11.26% efficiency, and 1.4 L/min
at a delivery head of 5 m with 9.05% efficiency at a constant supply head (lift) of 1.5 m. The results show
that at a stable fall, the amount of water being pumped decreases as the lift increases.

6. Conclusions

In comparison with other water lifting devices such as motor-powered pumps, the hydraulic ram pump is
relatively easy to build and can be made in a simple rural setting workshop. Maintenance was extremely
simple, and there as almost no cost to keep the hydram working. Moreover, automatic continuous
operation requires no supervision or human input. Therefore, due to the abovementioned reasons, it is
concluded that the hydraulic ram pump can help local communities and farmers to lessen the operating
expenses for their household water needs and agricultural uses.

To obtain a good delivery flow, the efficiency of the pump should be high. The researchers found out that
for the pump to function and in order to attain high pump efficiency, there should be a proper design in
the impulse valve. Also, the drive f

There should be a large drive flow and the delivery head should not be too many …..times the drive
head.

7. Acknowledgement

8. References