Hydraulic RAM Pumps (PA Technology)

Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-12-15. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

Name of technology example:		Type
Hydraulic RAM Pumps		☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Renewable Energy ☐ Alternative Methodology

Description

A hydraulic ram is a cyclic water pump powered by hydropower. Hydraulic RAM pumps use the energy in larger volumes of flowing water energy for lifting smaller volumes of water. It takes in water at one "hydraulic head" (pressure) and flow rate, and outputs water at a higher hydraulic head and lower flow rate. The hydraulic ram is viable in all areas where there is both a source of low-head hydropower and a need for pumping water to a destination higher in elevation than the source. Hydraulic Rams require no outside source of power. This is a well established technology already in use for hundreds of years.

The AIDFI RAM Pump is a simplified version capable of local manufacture, installation, and maintenance.

The limitation of hydraulic ram pumps are that they require reliable surface water flows and are therefore not always a viable water lifting solution.

Technology for the Application of

☐ Solar	☐ Biomass	☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas	☐ Wind	☐ Geo-Thermal
☑ Hydro	☑ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps

☐ Mechanization	☐ Efficiency of Operation	☐ Processing
☐ Transportation	☐ Controlled Atmosphere	☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting	☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities

☐ Grinding	☐ Hauling and conveying	☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation	☐ Milling	☐ Tearing
☐ Planting	☑ Washing	☐ Mixing
☑ Pumping	☐ Heating	☐ Drying
☑ Irrigation	☑ Cooling	☐ Animal feeding
☐ Fertilizing	☐ Venting	☐ Animal health and Welfare
☐ Pest Management	☐ Lighting	☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting	☑ Sanitation
☐ Other: /

Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups

☑ Cereals	☐ Fruits and vegetables	☐ Nuts and berries
☑ Forage	☐ Dairy products	☐ Meat products
☑ Oil Seeds	☑ Roots and Tubers	☑ Eggs
☑ Pulses	☑ Fiber Crops	☑ Forestry
☑ Sugars	☑ Stimulants	☑ Spices
☐ Other: /

Region & Country of
Development

N/A

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☑ N/A: Region of development cannot be named

Region & Country of
Current Deployment

Worldwide

☑ Africa
☑ South Asia
☑ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Caribbean
☑ Middle East & North Africa
☑ North America
☐ N/A: /

Region & Country of
Potential Deployment

Worldwide

☑ Africa
☑ South Asia
☑ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Caribbean
☑ Middle East & North Africa
☑ North America
☐ N/A: /

Manufacturers

AID Foundation Inc., Green and Carter

Economics

Hydraulic RAM pumps are very economical and they are reliable. Modern designs including the AIDFI will operate for years with little or no maintenance requirements or additional energy inputs. They, therefore, offer an excellent return on their economic and resource investment.

Technology Development Level

RAM Pumps are excellent examples of slow tech, they are highly developed technologies with basic resources, maintenance, construction, and operational requirements. They have very few parts and are reliable. RAM Pumps are well developed solutions for agricultural irrigation or community source water.

Required Maintenance Technical Level

Hydraulic Ram Pumps have little expected maintenance requirements. The maintenance can be managed by community members using locally sourced materials.

Required Infrastructure for Deployment

The required infrastructure for deployment of Hydraulic RAM Pumps already exists in most parts of the world. Further deployment is depending on training and education as well as required investments.

Required Resources during manufacture

Steel, PVC, Rubber, HDPE

Required Resources during operation

None

Deployment
Level

AIDFI and Green and Carter have many installations through out the world. AIDFI and Green Empowerment are successfully transferred their Hydraulic RAM pump techonolgies to Nepal, Afghanistan, and Columbia.

Deployment Capability and Potential

Further deployment is possible with funding for viable site location. Great potential for deployment of this technology exists in developing as well as industrialized countries. RAM Pumps are an excellent solution wherever reliable surface water flows exist.

Requirements for Deployment

Some technical expertise in site location, development, and installation is needed.

Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security

The ADFI RAM pump is energy and service independent- but requires supporting technology for manufacture and distribution. Once installed they offer autonomy and food security for small farm irrigation needs.

Environment Impacts (emissions)

There are no emissions during operation. The only emissions are during manufacture and distribution.

Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules

RAM Pumps conform with the Bio Cybernetic Rules.

Additional information / Comments

No comments.

Internal Reference

Additional Links

Compilation of various water-powered water pumps: http://journeytoforever.org/at_waterpump.html

Different pumping principals: http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/TechPublications/TechPub-8d/pumps.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_ram

https://www.facebook.com/AIDFIrampump