The use of hydraulic ram pump for increasing pump head-technical feasibility

Abstract

The combined pump and hydraulic ram pump (HRP) was presented to evaluate the technical feasibility for increasing pump head. This method was used to demonstrate a possible low-cost alternative solution to supply water in remote areas. It illustrated the case where energy in rivers was not enough to drive HRP and a pump alone could not lift water to the required head. The HRP was connected in series with the pump. The experiment on the combined system operation was investigated. The system was working only at a certain range of flow rates for a power supply by the pump. Therefore, HRP was adjusted to pump water in the range that the waste valve was functioning. The combined system can operate at a low flow rate with a high head without extra energy and no overloading. It reveals that the more discharge head is required, the less flow can be lifted which results in a high number of valve beats per minute of the waste valve. Experimental determination of the optimal values for these parameters will make it possible to provide for a feasible design of HRP in the given pump. The optimal HRP will make it possible to ensure the required performance (delivery, head, efficiency) of the combined system.