Hydraulic Ram

In engineering , speaking specifically of fluid transport ; the

utilization electricity has become essential for
transportation, removal and introduction of such fluids in
industry applications . but being small business , such as
farms or small-scale civil works the Use of this big machine
is very costly for small production , therefore the best choice
for these enterprises is to use a low- cost and more
accessible to them. One such system is the hydraulic ram ,
which is a type of water pump that works using water power
, without requiring an external energy, applying water
hammer , so we can say that does not use fuel or electricity
for operation. Water hammer is the momentary increase in
pressure and overpressure , which happens in a system
when there is a sudden change in direction or speed of
water. The speed of pressure waves equals the speed of
sound ; Thus, its explosion as it travels forward and
backward , until it dissipates for friction loss .
The conditions of a water transport system never remain in
a steady state. The pressures and flows change as the
pump is on and off. In addition to this, there are unforeseen
events such as power outages and malfunction of the
equipment, you can quickly change the operating conditions
of a system. Any change in the level of liquid velocity ,
regardless of the level or magnitude of change requires that
the liquid is accelerated or decelerated your initial flow rate .
Rapid changes in the level of flow required Large forces are
seen as high pressures , which cause the blow water
hammer.

Pumping systems remedied the need that men had

transport water from one place to another . For this reason
the bombs were created ; the pumps have various pumping
mechanisms , whose capacity , design and They cover a
wide application range from small units that use minimal
amounts of water until centrifugal pumps that can fill in large
volumes of water to entire cities. The hydraulic pump is a
means of converting mechanical energy into energy fluid or
hydraulic , ie pumps energy added to water. By increasing
the its pressure fluid energy , speed or height increases , all
Related according to Bernoulli's principle . In general, a
pump is used to raising the pressure of a liquid by adding
energy to the hydraulic system, moving fluid from a zone of
lower pressure or altitude or other higher pressure altitude.
The hydraulic pumps can be classified according to their
application, materials that they are built, liquids and even
move their orientation in the space. Thus pumps are divided
into two categories: dynamics which energy is added
continuously to increase speeds fluids inside the machine at
higher values that exist in the download, so that the
following speed reduction within or beyond pump produces
a pressure increase. Dynamic pumps They can be
subdivided into centrifuges and other special effects pumps.
And there also displacement pumps, in which energy is
added periodically by applying force to one or more mobile
limits of a desired number of volumes containing a fluid,
resulting in a increase direct pressure to the required value
to move the fluid through valves or openings in the
discharge line. Pumps displacement essentially
reciprocating and rotary types, depending on the nature of
the movement thereof which produce Pressure.

Specifically it belongs to the hydraulic ram displacement

pumps . The hydraulic ram was patented in 1796 by Joseph
Montgolfier , is a bomb Automatic for lifting water designed
and developed to take advantage small waterfalls medium
flow without consuming more energy than living force of the
water taken from a pond. Since its invention, the ram
Hydraulic was widely distributed throughout the world. I
must say , as a example, who he was present at the famous
fountains of the Taj Mahal in India , or the Ameer of
Afghanistan. Eventually it fell into disuse , mainly due to
sweeping advance of the centrifugal pump. Today we are
witnessing a rebirth of interest about this apparatus ,
because it is technologically accessible , efficient ,
environmentally friendly and very educational .
Operation begins when the water is accelerated along the
tube power until a sufficient speed is close to one first valve.
strong pressure is then created, stopping the water sharply.
This pressure surge opens another second valve and does
have a small stream of water to the reservoir until the
pressures balance. In that time, gravity opens the first valve
and the second is closed, repeating the cycle again. The
water at every blow air makes the water flow with continuity,
by lifting hose. The rate of beats per second is usually one
or two. Plumbers water hammer well known; when closed
suddenly an open water circuit, all piping and shudders
madden gauges. Often breakages occur from this cause.
the striker hydraulic machine is a continuous causing abrupt
closures circuit with water in acceleration and pressure
surges fail to send part flow to a great height. Performance
of the hydraulic ram represents the percentage of water can
pump in relation to the total channeled by the ram .
Increasing the value resulting , performance decreases .

For more energy, should increase the mass in the pipeline

and that the striker should be located closer to the second
point, that is as far possible decision. The download is done
by a single channel and is not necessary Use pipe. The
height difference between taking or pond and striker should
be at least one meter. In making a mesh should be installed
at the end of the intake pipe and this should be at least 30
cm below the surface water and 10 cm above the bottom.
The site to locate the ram must be choice, you should be in
a place such that they can pick two points on the source of
exploitation including there is a height difference. The
distance between these two points will depend on the slope
of the channel or the topography where it is to locate the
ram. This should be placed on a site level between the two
points in the river or fountain, This way the water will come
naturally to the ram and pump can not return to its original
course. It must be installed at a point where they can do a
foundation and a platform supporting the vibration. In
addition the place should be well drained.
The striker does not use all the water from the inlet pipe .
efficiency you can go from 20 to 70 or 90 % in some cases
and depends on the relationship between the height of the
outlet and the supply dimension with the reference level in
the apparatus. The efficiency is directly proportional to the
value of this relationship is say inversely proportional to the
height to be supplied to the water . A ram consider taking
379 l / min with a drop of 3 meters and provide 38 l / min at
a height of 20m or 379 l / min with 1.5m drop and carry 3.8 l
/ min to a level 75m . When the water supply must be done
in a very long stretch ram must also overcome friction
losses and local and these should It is taken as part of the
lifting supply .
For the low cost of construction , operation and zero
pollution is considered This equipment can be used in

almost any activity where the initial flow fluid is not a

problem or can be recycled. This technology is a alternative
solution with many advantages over the use of systems and
more equipment known as pumps or electric pumps
pumping , therefore up to us to raise this very old alternative
for true uses and needs as irrigation, drinking water and
others. Furthermore, the maintenance of the device is
almost zero and can work day and night long periods, their
operation stops almost always that the reservoir It filled and
no further pumping is required. It is important that the water
inlet is pumped into the tank at the top to avoid having to
overcome a head pressure from the water .
Its use is limited to three main applications :
Elevation of drinking water from the springs of settlements
in higher ground.
Pumping water from streams that have significant slope.
Raising irrigation water streams or channels
In a general aspect , the idea of providing water to all
areas , is one of the many aspects that have not yet
managed . The problem of Water shortage is a critical
reality that much dela population , especially the poorest
areas , which are forced to face. The lack of integrated
management to ensure maximum benefit and
rationalization of this resource , hinders efforts to expand
coverage of water and its recognition as a natural resource
of multi-sectoral use . That is, in the small populations , the
hydraulic ram can be very useful .
Water hammer is fought, in practice, by several measures.
1. Limiting speed pipes.

2. Slow closure of valves or records. Construction of parts

not allow very rapid obstruction.
3. Using special valves or mechanical devices. Relief
valves, whose discharges prevent excessive pressure
values.
4. Manufacture of tubes with increased thickness, taking
into account the allowable pressure.
5. Construction of wells swing, capable of absorbing blows
ram, allowing the oscillation of water. This solution is
adopted provided the topographic conditions are favorable
and the heights geometric small. Swing wells should be
located so close as possible to the roundhouse.
6. Installation of compressed air chambers to provide the
damping shock. Maintaining these devices It requires some
care, to be maintained in the compressed air the cameras.
Therefore , we can conclude that the water hammer
phenomenon it can cause some damage in our piping
systems , which it They can be fatal for our budget ; It is in
us create strategies and methods that help us minimize this
damage . But also noteworthy we can also use the hammer
from another perspective , that is, to for our work or what
we should do , and that is that if we say use a hydraulic
pump , the hydraulic ram specifically , will be of great use
this phenomenon, instead of causing problems, We employ
some form of mechanical energy that is not as expensive to
create ,for this reason have a pump working under the kinds
of pressure methods and overpressure already mentioned,
that can help us greatly to transport fluids from one place to
another.