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Max Pawlick, Andrew Chesser, Chris Grguras, Adam Benson, Adam Sagerman
Intro
Abstract
The purpose of this document is to provide a specific step by step process for the construction,
implementation, and use of Hydraulic Ram Pumps throughout the developing world, and specifically the
Central Plateau of Haiti. Ram pumps have been utilized for over 200 years to pump water in times and
locations without reliable energy sources. They utilize the energy of elevated water in streams or raised
ponds to pump a percentage of this water uphill. If a location has an elevated supply of water, and the
target community only needs a fraction of that water supply, a ram pump may be a suitable solution.
The relative simplicity of the mechanism allows ram pumps to be constructed with common PVC
fittings that are usually available in developing countries. This dramatically reduces system price and the
difficulty of transporting unwieldy machined ram pumps overseas. In addition, many do it yourself (DIY)
materials are available on the internet concerning the construction of these ram pumps. However, research
supported the claim that most DIY manuals are not practical in developing countries. They generally fail
to highlight the importance of the site evaluation and the possible nuances in design that depend on it.
Additionally, their designs do not address the possible variability in flowrates needed or lift heights
required.
The solution presented in this paper addresses these concerns by walking the reader through a site
evaluation, suggesting a specific design that optimizes their environment, leading them though
construction and tuning of their pump for maximum performance, and instructing them on maintenance
procedures. The goal of this paper is to catalyze the spread of ram pump technology to developing
countries by leading citizens and charitable organizations to install and maintain ram pumps that perform
at high standards.
Overview
This document begins with a brief overview of the technology, its applications, and supporting
mathematics. This is followed by a section that guides the reader through a site evaluation, and
determining their required flow rate. The next section utilizes site evaluation results to determine whether
a ram is a feasible solution, and if so, what ram design is most effective. This will be followed by a bill of
materials that provides locations and prices of materials around Cange for the design chosen, and section
describing alternative material possibilities and their effects on pump performance should the suggested
materials not be available. The final sections guide the user through ram pump start up, maintenance, and
troubleshooting.
Technology
Hydraulic Ram Pumps are capable of moving water uphill by utilizing the potential energy of
elevated water without using an outside power source. They have been widely used since the beginning of
their production in the early 19th century. The pump only uses two moving parts; this mechanical
simplicity allows it to run reliably for long periods of time with little maintenance. The amount of water a
ram pump delivers is dependent on several factors, some based on the geography of the site and some on
the design of the pump. Some ram pumps provide enough water to use in irrigation systems in addition to
drinking and sanitation. A broad schematic of a ram pump system is shown in figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Ram Pump System Schematic
The pump operates using the water hammer effect, a sudden pressure change that results from the
abrupt stopping of flowing water in a pipe. This effect is possible because the pump uses the potential
energy of all the water that flows into it, but only provides potential energy to a small percentage of that
water, which is pumped up the delivery pipe. The stages are shown below in figure 2.
Site Evaluation
Parameters Required
Before a ram pump is constructed, a site evaluation must be done in which several parameters
must be determined.
These parameters are:
1. Flow rate of the water source
2. Vertical fall available from the water source
3. Vertical elevation to the desired location (from the pump location)
4. Distance from the water source to the ram
5. Distance from the ram to the desired location
6. Volume of water required per day to the desired location
These parameters are essential to determine if a ram pump is the right technology for a certain
community or area. Additionally, this information allows the user to design the most effective type of ram
for their environment.
Other Considerations
The most important part of the site evaluation is establishing a connection with the
community. To some extent they will be responsible for maintaining the system and some
members will need to be trained on how to start and troubleshoot the pump.
It is important for design considerations to make an assessment on how difficult the
location of the pump is to access as some designs require more frequent attention. The designer
must also know how frequently the trained community members can attend to the pump. The
budget of the project must also be considered.
Design
After a sight evaluation it can be determined whether a ram pump is a feasible option for
the site, and if so how optimized the system needs to be in order to function as needed. The
questions below should provide rough answers to these questions.
If more than one of your answers fell into the red category a ram pump is probably not
the best option for your site. Solar pumps are generally a good alternative in these cases.
Connected to part 1 is the drive pipe where water enters the system. The details of the drive pipe are
critical to pump design.
NOTE: This paper supports a design that replaces part 4 with a modified brass spring check valve
which is critical to pump performance. See Waste Valve Customization section.
Design
Sizing
The size of the mainline pump components depend on the source flowrate measured during
the site evaluation. The table below outlines what pump diameters are possible with certain
flowrates and the expected performance from them. If the flowrate falls below the minimum listed
in the table, the pump will stop working. This table assumes the ratio of the delivery height to the
fall height is 5, thus it is important to adjust expectations based on the ratio from an individual site
evaluation.
Drive pipes carry the water from source to the mainline of the pump. The diameter of the
drive pipe is equal to the diameter of the pump. The table below gives ranges of the possible
lengths of the drive pipe. If the distance between source and location of the pump is too large a
stand pipe system must be used to maintain the pressure spike required to move water.
Figure 8: Drive Pipe Length
Pump Efficiency
Efficiency varies for all ram pumps, but it remains constant for an individual pump. Existing
literature estimates efficiencies from 50-60% for machined metal pumps and 30% for DIY plastic
designs. The efficiency of a pump is a function of delivery flow, supply flow, lift height, and fall height;
because of this, it can be used to estimate delivery flowrates, or calculate fall required for desired delivery
flowrates.
Where:
𝑄𝐷 ∗ ℎ η = Efficiency of the Pump
𝜂=
𝑄𝑆 ∗ ℎ𝑠 QD = Delivery Flowrate
QS = Supply Flowrate
h =Total head (lift – fall)
hS = Supply head (fall)
Despite the validity of the efficiency equation, some of the deliveries listed above are not possible
in practice, this is because efficiency drops as the pump lifts to higher ratios and higher total lifts. The
table below provides an indication of what efficiency your pump needs to function for its lift to fall ratio.
For each ratio listed it will be more difficult for a system to perform at larger magnifications of that ratio.
For example, a system with 10 feet of fall and 70 feet of lift will operate with much higher efficiency than
a system with 30 feet of fall and 210 feet of lift.
The values listed below represent the percentage of water delivered of the water that comes into
the system. The yellow values indicate a loss of efficiency and the red values indicate the pump is
unlikely to lift to its required height. Efficiencies of 25 to 30% are likely for PVC designs, 45 to 50% are
likely for metal designs, and 35 to 40% are likely for combination designs.
% Water Delivered
% Efficiency
25 30 35 40 45 50
2 12.5 15.0 17.5 20.0 22.5 25.0
3 8.3 10.0 11.7 13.3 15.0 16.7
4 6.3 7.5 8.8 10.0 11.3 12.5
5 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Lift to Fall
Ratio 6 4.2 5.0 5.8 6.7 7.5 8.3
7 3.6 4.3 5.0 5.7 6.4 7.1
8 3.1 3.8 4.4 5.0 5.6 6.3
10 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
12 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.3 3.8 4.2
15 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.3
18 1.4 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8
21 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4
24 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1
Figure 11: Percentage of Water Delivered
Pressure Chamber
The pressure chamber is responsible for protecting the pump components from the pressure spike
that occurs each time the pump runs. The table below can be used for sizing.
Snifter Valve
A snifter valve is commonly used in piping, pumps, and pistons. The values take in air each time
the pump cycles to keep the pressure chamber from filling with water. The easiest way to install a snifter
is to drill a small hole in the piping right before the internal valve. A hole 1/16 th of an inch in diameter is
usually ideal. Larger holes can also be drilled and then obstructed with a cotter pin that is bent to insure it
remains in the system. In order to install an effective snifter, the general design of the pump must be
altered slightly to allow air to enter the system.
System Considerations
In addition to the pump itself, a ram pump system must also address the control of water before
and after the pump. The incoming water cannot carry any large objects, such as sticks or rocks, into the
system. However, fine filters will disrupt water flow and stop the pump from operating. Metal grates or
capped PVC pipes with many holes drilled into them are common solutions.
To operate effectively, a ram pump’s inlet should be submerged. The minimum suggested depth
is 4 inches; however, 6 inches is preferable. This prevents air from entering the drive pipe and disrupting
the pump’s operation. This may be impractical for smaller systems that are supplied by a stream. In these
cases it is highly recommended a small dam is constructed which makes submersion possible.
After the water is passes through the pump a hose or piping system must bring it to its
destination. Since the shock of the pressure wave is dissipated in the pressure chamber, outlet vessels do
not experience a large amount of stress. In most cases garden hoses will suffice. Dynamic head
calculations can be performed to verify the required operating pressure of your outlet material.
Since ram pumps expel most their water at the waste valve, this area is likely to experience a
buildup of water. When a ram pump is located within a stream this is less likely to be an issue, but it may
be a significant concern for systems that house their ram pump away from bodies of water.
For a system to provide drinking water it must contain effective filtration devices. Water must be
filtered after it arrives at its destination to prevent flow disruption in the pump. Additionally, filter
systems should be designed that avoid putting back pressure onto the ram. Even if water is not being used
for drinking it is highly recommended that the system’s water storage container have an overflow system
that diverts surplus water back to the source. This practice keeps water moving and substantially improves
the quality of water in storage.
Parts and Construction
Materials List
The parts list should be followed closely to make the construction process as easy as possible. These
materials are required for proper construction of a Ram Pump. There are some alternatives to these parts
that will be discussed after the list. The list assumes a 1-1/4 inch drive pipe, therefore size and material
adjustments need to be made based on your chosen design. Attempt to keep the ratios present in this
materials list similar to your design for best results.
Pressurizing Methods:
1. Ideally, a snifter should be installed in the system by drilling a hole and inserting a cotter pin on
the piping between the internal check valve and the pressure chamber. This allows the pump
to function nonstop with minimal maintenance. However, installing the snifter valve requires a
drill. This option is strongly recommended, but if it is not possible proceed to the next option.
2. Secondarily, a flexible container pressurized with air, such as a bicycle tire tube, can be inserted
into the pressure chamber. However, like tires on a bike, anything filled with air will eventually
release it and once the air-filled container loses pressure the pump will fail. Therefore; if this design
is followed the pressure chamber must be checked every few days and the container must be re-
inflated.
3. A compressible object, such as a foam noodle, can be inserted and secured inside of the pressure
chamber. To test if the object may work, press down on it. If it responds in a similar way to a
pressurized bike tire it will function. However, any object placed in the pressure tank will come
into contact with the water the pump outputs, thus materials that could be hazardous to health must
be avoided.
The alternatives for the other parts and notes are listed below.
NOTE: It is also important to have a coarse filter over the inlet of the drive pipe to prevent large objects
from clogging it. However fine filters, such as cloth, will disrupt flowrate and hamper performance. PVC
caps with slits cut into them using a hacksaw is a common solution.
Installation, Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Installation
1. Close the valve leading out of the pump system completely.
2. Set the drive pipe so the water source flows into it.
3. Open the valve leading into the pump
a. After a few moments of shooting out water, the waste valve should close
4. Use a stick or pole to manually open the waste valve by pressing down on it for approximately 1
second.
5. Leave the pump for a few seconds and then repeat step 4. It may be required to do this as many as
60 times before the pump valve will open and close on its own.
6. Look at your pressure gauge on the pump. Let the pump run until it reaches somewhere between
20 to 30 PSI.
7. Once pressure is reached begin to slowly open the output valve. If it is opened all at once the pump
could stall. If the pump does stall return to step 3.
8. Once the pump is functioning, experiment with different amounts of weigh on the waste valve to
maximize performance as desired.
Tuning
Once the pump is running, the weight on the check valve will need to be adjusted to maximize
performance. To maximize flow rate, the minimum amount of weight to achieve the pressure required
should be added. The waste valve should be weighed down until the pressure rises slightly above the
required value. This value can be read off the pressure gauge installed near the outlet of the system.
Overweighting the check valve will reduce the amount of water delivered. The weighting will have to be
adjusted if there is a significant change in flow rate through the drive pipe.
Troubleshooting
This list gives solutions to common problems that occur while installing and attempting to operate
a ram pump.
1. Loud, metallic banging from pump
a. No air in the chamber. Pump should be stopped immediately and air chamber drained of
water for maintenance to avoid severe damage to pump. Check for air leaks.
a. Check for debris. Check waste valve on seating, should be able to move freely.
3. Waste valve is intermittent, closes at irregular rhythm.
a. Often indicates air in drive pipe. Check to make sure drive pipe mouth is submerged by
water. Drain any trapped air, by manually opening and closing waste valve.
a. Make sure delivery gate valve is open and there is no obstruction or air blockage. If your
pump has a pressure gauge, check that there is enough pressure to pump water to delivery
site.
a. Not enough water in drive pipe, too much weight on waste valve, or delivery valve issue.
Maintenance
One of the major benefits of ram pumps is that they will continuously run with minimal
maintenance. There are only a few moving parts, so it does not take a lot of work to take care of it. The
available materials and proximity of a technician should be taken into account when selecting the type of
pump. If there is a local person who has the ability to make repairs and check the functionality frequently,
it may be best to build a ram pump using inexpensive local materials. If there is limited availability of a
technician, a commercial pump may be preferable. This means that the more inexpensive the pump, the
more often one might have to do some form of maintenance on it.
The primary work that may need to be done on a ram pump is re-pressurizing the pressure chamber.
When using a pool noodle, bike tire, etc., to keep pressure from being waterlogged, they will wear down or
need to be inflated. Maintenance will need to happen every 3-4 weeks using this system. This just involves
removing the pool noodle or bike tire and replacing it or filling it with air again. To do this the unions
around the pressure chamber need to be removed, and then the tire or noodle can be pulled out of the
chamber. The next step is to just inflate the tire and put it back in or replace the noodle. When your tire or
noodle wears down, the chamber will become waterlogged, requiring it to be drained. This can be done
while also replacing the tire or noodle. In order to do this, both valves must be closed, and then you can
remove the pressure chamber as described before and pour out the water that is inside of it. If a snifter valve
is being used, no maintenance will ever need to be done. Snifters allow for the pump to run constantly with
no maintenance because the snifter will keep the pressure chamber from being water logged and keeps it
pressurized. Maintenance is an important factor in ram pumps with regards to longevity, but can easily be
minimized by following these steps.
Conclusion
This document will allow a user to design, install, and maintain a ram pump system after
performing a site evaluation. In addition, the ram will function in a fashion that takes advantage of the
nearby geography and skill of the constructor(s). This paper highly encourages its reader to find other
sources of information, including other research papers, testing experience, and videos to expand their
knowledge of ram pumps.
It is critical to note that only a portion of the system’s success is dependent on the engineering
aspects. The more complicated portion of the project is educating and training the recipient community to
maintain the system. The end goal of any water project should be community ownership and
responsibility. Water projects cannot be treated separately from community development. Thus, an
understanding and relationship with the community is critical to any successful water system.
Works Cited
Home-Made Hydraulic Ram Pump for Livestock Water
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/publications/files/livestock-forages/Lf13-home-made-
hydraulic-ram-pump.pdf
Rife Ram Information Manual and Setup Guide
http://www.riferam.com/assets/ram-information-manual-and-set-up-guide.pdf
Special thanks to Scott Hunt who advised us. His YouTube videos cover information on his ram
pumps. They can be found on his page Engineer775.