MODULE 6: HYDRAULIC RAM PUMP SYSTEMS

Acknowledgments
The Department Technology Unit of Warwick University
For this module, the main source of information comes from the DTU of Warwick
University and their book “Hydraulic Hydraulic Ram Pumps – A guide to Hydraulic
Ram Pump water supply systems”. Their recommendations were adapted to the
local context of the province of NTT, Indonesia.
Allowing the use of their experience for training purposes is very much appreciated.

Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Incorporated

A field visit to AID Foundation in Bacolod, Philippines increased our understanding of
Hydraulic Ram Pump Systems design, implementation and important issues to
answer.
With their 10 year experience on Hydraulic Ram Pump Systems, they were able to
guide us through questions unsolved. Many thanks are due to their team for their
welcome, support and collaboration.

ACF – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Department Soe, Indonesia

This module has been written and illustrated by the ACF mission in Indonesia.
Thanks are due to a curious, innovative and hardworking team in the ACF WASH
department of the base of Soe, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
The research and development of a local design was possible thanks to their work in
the field with the communities. This module is written based on their experience.
Initiated and supported by the technical advisor Ludovic Arnout and undertaken by
the program manager David Wala, this project was implemented with enthusiasm
among all the team.
In the field, Doda Nugroho, Matriks Samloy, Yaret Nenobesi, Adrianus Dambuk, Inyo
J. Tallo, Alfred Nenohai, Izul Fitri worked with professionalism to implement the pilot
sites.
In the workshop, special thanks are due to Aloysius Jawa Ama for his great spirit, his
innovative ideas on producing a local design and for the seriousness and the energy
he invested in manufacturing the Hydraulic Ram Pumps.
Thanks also to George Manu for the field surveys and the translation of this module
in Indonesian.

Dominique Browne

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 Table of contents
Contents
Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................ i
Table of contents ......................................................................................................... ii
Table of figures .......................................................................................................... iv
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
I. Principle ................................................................................................................... 3
I.1. Theory .......................................................................................................... 3
I.1.1. Energy .................................................................................................... 3
I.1.2. Water hammer effect .............................................................................. 3
I.2. Application for the Hydraulic Ram Pump ...................................................... 4
II. Components and their functions of the system ....................................................... 6
II.1. The Hydraulic Ram Pump System................................................................ 6
II.1.1. Objectives .............................................................................................. 6
II.1.2. Description ............................................................................................. 6
II.2. Header tank .................................................................................................. 8
II.2.1. Objectives .............................................................................................. 8
II.2.2. Description ............................................................................................. 8
II.2.3. Example ................................................................................................. 9
II.3. Drive pipe ..................................................................................................... 9
II.3.1. Objectives .............................................................................................. 9
II.3.2. Description ............................................................................................. 9
II.4. Pump basement ......................................................................................... 10
II.4.1. Functions ............................................................................................. 10
II.4.2. Description ........................................................................................... 10
II.4.3. Example ............................................................................................... 11
II.5. Delivery pipe ............................................................................................... 12
II.5.1. Description ........................................................................................... 12
III. The pump ............................................................................................................. 14
III.1. General description .................................................................................... 14
III.2. Description of components ......................................................................... 15
III.2.1. The pump body ................................................................................ 15
III.2.2. Impulse valve ................................................................................... 16
III.2.3. Delivery valve ................................................................................... 17
III.2.4. Air vessel.......................................................................................... 18
III.2.5. Snifter valve ..................................................................................... 19
IV. Application on site ................................................................................................ 20

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 IV.1. Project management of a Hydraulic Ram Pump project ............................. 20
IV.2. Survey a potential site ................................................................................ 22
IV.2.1. Calculation of the delivery flow ........................................................ 22
IV.2.2. Constraints ....................................................................................... 22
IV.3. Installation .................................................................................................. 24
IV.4. Starting the Hydraulic Ram Pump System ................................................. 28
IV.5. Common problems and maintenance ......................................................... 30
V. Local manufacture of the pump ............................................................................ 31
V.1. Starting a local manufacture ....................................................................... 31
V.1.1. Skilled technician ............................................................................. 31
V.1.2. Supply of material............................................................................. 31
V.1.3. Equipment and tools......................................................................... 31
V.2. Steps to follow for local manufacture .......................................................... 32
V.2.1. Flanges, reducer, top of the air chamber and plates ........................ 32
V.2.2. Pump body ....................................................................................... 33
V.2.3. Snifter valve ..................................................................................... 35
V.2.4. Delivery valve ................................................................................... 35
V.2.5. Impulse valve ................................................................................... 36
V.2.6. Air chamber ...................................................................................... 38
V.2.7. Finishing ........................................................................................... 38
Appendices ............................................................................................................... 39

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 Table of figures
Figure 1: Hilly landscape of NTT, Indonesia ................................................................ 2
Figure 2: Water hammer effect .................................................................................... 3
Figure 3: Application of the water hammer effect on the Hydraulic Ram Pump .......... 5
Figure 4: Hydraulic Ram Pump System ...................................................................... 6
Figure 5.a: Header tank for 6 pumps from AID Foundation ......................................... 9
Figure 5.b: Header tank for 2 pumps from AID Foundation ......................................... 9
Figure 6: Drive pipe and flanges ............................................................................... 10
Figure 7: Construction of pump basement, NTT ....................................................... 11
Figure 9: Delivery pipes............................................................................................. 13
Figure 10: Example of Hydraulic Ram Pumps around the world ............................... 14
Figure 11: Hydraulic Ram Pump from ACF design ................................................... 15
Figure 12.a: Pump body ............................................................................................ 15
Figure 12.b: Pump body with supports, flanges and reducer .................................... 16
Figure 13: Impulse valve and its components ........................................................... 16
Figure 14: Delivery valve ........................................................................................... 18
Figure 15: Air vessel.................................................................................................. 18
Figure 16: Snifter valve ............................................................................................. 19
Figure 17: Efficiency formula ..................................................................................... 22
Figure 18: Topography and drive pipe position ......................................................... 23
Figure 19: Community meeting ................................................................................. 24
Figure 20: Aligning header tank and pump basement ............................................... 25
Figure 21: Burring delivery pipe ................................................................................ 25
Figure 22: Construction of the pump basement ........................................................ 26
Figure 23: Drive pipes and supports.......................................................................... 26
Figure 24: Choice of route for the delivery pipe ......................................................... 27
Figure 25: Why priming ............................................................................................. 29
Figure 26: Priming the Hydraulic Ram Pump ............................................................ 29
Figure 27: Tools and equipment ................................................................................ 32
Figure 28: Cutting the iron plate ................................................................................ 32
Figure 29: Flanges, plates, reducer, and top of air chamber manufacture ................ 33
Figure 30: Welding the pump body ........................................................................... 33
Figure 31: Supports on pump body ........................................................................... 34
Figure 32: Snifter valve manufacture......................................................................... 35

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Figure 33: Delivery valve manufacture ...................................................................... 35
Figure 34: Manufacture of the support for the impulse valve guide ........................... 36
Figure 35: Manufacture of the top of the impulse valve plate .................................... 36
Figure 36: Manufacture of the bottom of the impulse valve plate .............................. 37
Figure 37: Manufacture of the stem of the impulse valve .......................................... 38
Figure 38: Manufacture of the air vessel ................................................................... 38

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 Introduction
A technology that avoids constrains of water supplies in rural areas
In many parts of the world, villages are situated above the spring: it does not allow
water to flow to compounds by gravity. For example, in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)
province, Indonesia, 70 percent of the population lives upstream the closest source
of water. A pump is needed to lift the water from this source to their compound.
Dr. Terry Thomas from the Warwick University, UK explained in 1994 that “whilst in
general the power for water-lifting can come from engines, electrical mains, animals,
humans or renewable (climatic) sources, in the particular context of rural areas in
poor countries the choice is more constrained.
In many such countries:
 There are virtually no rural electrical mains;
 Engines pose problems of both fuelling and maintenance;
 Draught animals may be unavailable or difficult to apply to water lifting; and
 Renewable are erratic, complex and import intensive.”
The Hydraulic Ram Pump (Hydram) stays away from these constrains:
 The source of energy of this technology is the water itself and gravity. It has a
low cost maintenance cost;
 It works as long as water is available;
 The pump has very few moving parts that are simple to produce locally and to
maintain by the community itself.

A technology to be reintroduced
Dr Terry Thomas followed his explanation on Hydraulic Ram Pumps: “they were
invented 200 years ago and are still manufactured in over ten countries. They were
once commonplace in Europe, The Americas, Africa and some parts of Asia. They
have however been largely displaced by motorized pumping in richer countries,
whilst in developing countries their use is concentrated in China, Nepal and
Colombia.
Generally, in rural areas of developing countries, this skill has been lost since about
1950, and the intermediaries that used to connect manufacturers to users have
disappeared. Old systems lie broken for lack of fairly simple maintenance: new
systems are few.”
Even if the Hydram technology is not trivial: designing systems that are reliable,
economic and durable (e.g. against flood, theft, silt) takes some experience, it is
possible to reintroduce this technology for rural communities and local
manufacturers. Skills to manufacture, design, implement and maintain are basic and
it is believed that this module will allow technicians to undertake the installation of
Hydraulic Ram Pump Systems (RPS).
The development of the RPS is also an opportunity for irrigation which consumes a
lot of water. There is a difference between water for agriculture and drinking water:
the quality standard is low. It implies that most of the stream could be a potential site

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 for installing a Hydram. The Gravity Fed System (GFS) can avoid the use of pipe
which increases the cost efficiency. Moreover, most of the fields are close to the
streams (i.e. the difference of altitude is not important) which allows a high volume
delivered.
Disregarding social and organizational factors, the technical niche of the Hydram can
be described as moist hilly rural areas where there is no mains electricity but a need
for lifting water from streams or springs.

Objectives of this module

This module is designed to answer the questions of all stakeholders involved in
water: potential manufacturers, local and international non-governmental
organizations, governments, and local universities.
Part of the training on GFS, this module wishes to increase the scope of
implementation of GFS: sources can not only come from upstream a targeted
community but also from downstream.
This module is divided in five parts:
 The principle of the Hydram;
 A description of the different element composing a Hydram;
 A detailed description of the Hydram components and their;
 Guidelines to implement a RPS in a targeted area;
 The process of the local manufacture of the Hydram.
Adapted to NTT, Indonesia, appendices present contacts and break-downs of costs
according to the local suppliers. They also include data on local Hydram System
implemented by ACF. Theses appendices wish to be examples for future successful
GFS including RPS in NTT, Indonesia and that this combination replicates in similar
context for other countries.

Figure 1: Hilly landscape of NTT, Indonesia

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 I. Principle
I.1. Theory
I.1.1. Energy
Cars, airplanes, light bulb, water pumps, computers, the human body have all
something in common: they need energy to work. This energy can come from many
sources such as electricity, fuel, manpower, food.
Different technologies are used to transform one source of energy to another. For
example, car engines transform the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical
energy allowing wheels to rotate. Another example related to water supply projects is
electric pumps: they use electricity to transform electrical energy into potential
energy of the lifted water.
The potential energy is the energy of every object due to its altitude. The object
needs another source of energy to be lifted and will lose its potential energy if it falls.
Hydrams are designed to lift water (i.e. give potential energy to the water) from a low
cost source of energy. Avoiding using fuel and electricity, the water hammer effect
has shown to be efficient and is the principle of Hydrams.

I.1.2. Water hammer effect

The water hammer effect is a phenomenon that increases the pressure of water in a
pipe over a short period of time.

Figure 2: Water hammer effect

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 If the velocity of the water in a pipe is high enough, a fast closure of the pipe will
cause a water hammer effect as shown in Figure 2. The water flowing will be
compressed to the valve which has been closed suddenly. As a comparison, if a
hundred people run very fast in a corridor and suddenly, they face a closed door, the
space between them will be reduced, everybody will touch each other. In the same
way, with velocity, water has kinetic energy. By closing quickly the pipe, this kinetic
energy will be transformed into pressure.
This effect is characterized by a loud noise that is similar to a hammer banging a
metal component.

I.2. Application for the Hydraulic Ram Pump

The Hydram uses the water hammer effect to “use the energy of a large amount of
water falling from a small height to lift a small amount of this water to a much greater
height” (Dr T. Thomas, 2005) as shown in Figure 3.
From a source of water (i.e. spring or stream), the water is driven to the Hydram
based downstream. The pump suddenly stops the flow causing a water hammer
effect. It allows the water under pressure in the Hydram body to enter into a delivery
pipe.
The special feature of the Hydram is that the water hammer effect is caused by the
water itself. The flowing water applies pressure on a valve that closes the pipe
automatically. This is why the Hydram does not use any electricity or fuel.
However, as the water hammer effect is caused by the water, the water needs to go
out: this is called the waste water. This is not really wasted because the Hydram
cannot work without it. So, the Hydram will use only 20 to 40 percent of the water
coming inside it (i.e. the feed water): this is the delivery water.
A non-return valve at the beginning of the delivery pipe stops the water to go back
into the pump body. After continuous water hammer effects, water is added in the
delivery pipe with a great pressure. It allows the water to flow upward up to a storage
tank.
The pressure is transform into potential energy.
The efficiency of RPS is between 50 to 80 percent depending on the quality of
material, the design and the age of the components.

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 No pressure

High velocity

Very high pressure

No velocity

Figure 3: Application of the water hammer effect on the Hydraulic Ram Pump

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 II. Components and their functions of the system
II.1. The Hydraulic Ram Pump System
II.1.1. Objectives
A RPS has different objectives:
 Lift water from a source of water to a targeted community;
 Resist to external aggressions such as time, rain, mud, organic matter,
shocks, theft, and landslide; and
 Resist to internal fatigue due to the shocks of the water hammer effect.

II.1.2. Description

2 3

7
4

5 and 6

Figure 4: Hydraulic Ram Pump System

Figure 4 presents a design of a RPS from the DTU which has two pumps. The
choice of the number of pumps depends on the site.

6
 Composition of a Hydraulic Ram Pump System
A RPS is used within a GFS. The water entering in the storage tank of a GFS comes
from the RPS.
A RPS has 7 main components as shown in Figure 4:
1. A spring or stream catchment;
2. A feed pipe;
3. A header tank;
4. One or multiple drive pipes;
5. A pump basement;
6. One or multiple Hydrams;
7. One or multiple delivery pipes; and
8. A storage tank.
The water comes from a stream or a spring. If the source of water is a stream, the
water quality is most likely unable to reach ACF standards (please refer to Module 1
Introduction for further information about water quality treatment) for drinking
purposes.
In addition, sedimentation can be used to avoid silt and sand in the pump.

Following the route of the water in the Hydraulic Ram Pump System
1 and 2 The water is caught by the spring catchment (or the stream catchment)
and driven to the header tank by the feed pipe. The spring or stream catchment is
the first barer to prevent organic matters to enter in the system and to reduce the
efficiency of the system. Since the design is the same as a stream or spring
catchment for a GFS already detailed in Module 4 Construction; refer to this module
for further information.
3 The header tank allows a continuous flow to the drive pipe and the pump(s); it
is as well the last barer to prevent sediments to enter in the pump.
4 and 5 The drive pipe is made from galvanized iron (G.I.). It has to support the
water hammer effect which is running continuously. The drive pipe is designed to
conduct water as fast as possible to the pump: it must be straight.
6 The Hydram is the most critical infrastructure of the system. A full chapter is
dedicated to its description and local manufacture.
7 The Hydram is attached to the pump basement. It has to absorb the shocks of
the water hammer effect. The pump basement has to be carefully design because it
is subject to the fatigue of the water hammer effect and is very difficult to maintain
without stopping the pump from running.
8 The delivery pipe conducts the water from the pump to the storage tank. The
delivery pipe is designed like a delivery pipe of a GFS: the pressure of the delivery
water, the flow of the delivery water, and its route are the main input to choose the
type of pipes needed.

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 9 The storage tank is used to hold water before it is delivered to communities by
a GFS. This infrastructure is detailed in Module 2 Principles and sizing; refer to this
module for further information.

II.2. Header tank

II.2.1. Objectives
The header tank has five objectives:
 To prevent solid elements and air to enter in the Hydram;
 To allow a continuous flow in the Hydram;
 To allow the water to enter with a high velocity in the Hydram; and
 To resist to external aggressions;
 To allow the self-maintenance of the RPS.

II.2.2. Description
In order to fulfill the uses of the header tank, the design of the header tank depends
on the characteristics of the water that flows in:
 Quality: impurities, sand, leaves, mud; and
 Quantity: flow available by the source of the water.

Size
A Hydram cannot work automatically if air enters inside the Hydram body. It means
that the entrance of the drive pipe must be always under water. As a consequence,
the size of a header tank is decided according to the flow available by the source of
water. Then, if the quality of the water is poor (e.g. from a stream), it is important for
the sediments to have time in the header tank to settle down in the bottom of the
tank. Two compartments can be constructed.
The volume of the header tank for a RPS can be calculated like the header tank for a
GFS; refer to Module 2 Principles and sizing for further details.
It is easier to construct a square tank (i.e. for the construction of the molds for
concrete). The side in which the drive pipes are casted must allow at least 10
centimeters of space between two pipes.
The height of the tank must allow the water to be at least 30 centimeters above the
drive pipes.

Connections
The inlet of the header tank is the feed pipe.
The outlets of the header tank are:
 The drive pipes;
 The wash out pipe on each compartment; and
 The overflow pipe.

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The maintenance of the header tank is allowed by a manhole located on the top; if
two compartments exist, the trap must allow cleaning both.
The drive pipes cannot only be casted in the wall of the tank; the wall thickness is not
enough to hold the shocks of the water hammer effects. It is recommended to add
concrete around the entrance of the drive pipe.
For maintenance purposes, it is recommended to install ball valve to allow an easy
opening of the drive pipes. Ball valve are recommended over gate valve: gate valve
close automatically under the effect of the water hammer effect when the pump is
running

II.2.3. Example
The header tank for the RPS differs from the one from the GFS only by adding the
drive pipe as straight as possible toward the pump basement. It is recommended to
reinforce the wall where the drive pipes are: this solution allows the header tank to
sustain against the water hammer effects.

Figure 5.a: Header tank for 6 pumps from AID Foundation

Figure 5.b: Header tank for 2 pumps from AID Foundation
In Figure 5.b, High Density Polyethylene pipes are used, it is recommended to bury
them in the ground to avoid the damaging effects from sunrays: pipes get brittle and
is more likely to break.

II.3. Drive pipe

II.3.1. Objectives
A drive pipe has two objectives:
 To allow the water entering in the pump body from the header tank with high
velocity; and
 To resist to the shocks of the water hammer effect.

II.3.2. Description
A drive pipe is linked to only one pump. It cannot be made out of plastic because it
cannot sustain the pressure. It is highly recommended to use first quality galvanized
iron (G.I.) pipes. Poor quality of G.I. pipes will lead to difficult maintenance soon after
the installation such as repairing leakage.

9
 The efficiency of the pump increases if the components of the system do not absorbs
the shocks of the water hammer effect. For the drive pipe, it means that it must be
very rigid and tightly hold with clamps on supports casted into concrete.
Finally, the shock wave that goes along the drive pipe at each water hammer effect
leads to a fatigue of the weakest part of the pipe: the threads at each end. This is a
main cause of leakage. It is highly recommended to weld flanges all along the pipe
and to insert a rubber seal between them. AID Foundation„s experience has proven
that it increases the longevity of the drive pipe.
The design of the flange for a 2” drive pipe is given in the appendix xx.

Example

Flanges

Figure 6: Drive pipe and flanges

II.4. Pump basement

II.4.1. Functions
The functions of the pump basement are:
 To hold the Hydram against the shocks of the water hammer effect; and
 To collect the waste water and to direct it to a targeted location to avoid
having a muddy area around the pump and cavitations.

II.4.2. Description
The pump basement must be made out from the most solid concrete. Four screws
are casted in the basement: the Hydram is to be located thanks to these screws.
The only critical part of constructing a pump basement is the alignment with the
pump basement so that the drive pipe is perfectly straight. How to do this task
properly is explained in the part Application on site.

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 II.4.3. Example

Figure 7: Construction of pump basement, NTT

Pumps are flooded, Philippines Cage protect the pumps, NTT

Pumps are inside a pump house, Philippines

Figure 8: Types of pump basement

The minimum requirements for the design of the pump basement are shown in the
following pictures.
 The waste water needs to be kept inside and then, directed to an area by a
pipe to the original bed of the stream. If not, the area around the pump
basement will be surrounded by mud;
 Because the whole pump basement is in a hilly area, it means that additional
attention needs to be paid on the anchorage to the ground;

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  It is useful to prevent people to access to the Hydram apart from the water
committee for security constraints (i.e. children playing, thieves attracted by
bolts and nuts)

II.5. Delivery pipe

II.5.1. Description

References to Module 2
The delivery pipe for a RPS is designed as a delivery pipe for a GFS; refer to Module
2 for further details:
 It needs to be buried to avoid external aggression;
 The delivery height minimizes the internal diameter of the pipe (i.e. the small
diameter creates more head losses);
 The delivery height also designs the pressure that the pipe can hold and as a
consequence, the material of the pipe; and
 The route of the pipe must avoid going alternatively up and down and should
stay straight as much as possible.

Main delivery pipe and multiple delivery pipes

In most of the sites where the Hydram can be implemented, more than one pump will
be installed for two reasons:
 The water available allows to use two or more Hydrams;
 Even if the volume of water is not enough, it is advised to install two pumps
and run only one: the water will still be supplied during the maintenance.
There are now two choices:
 To connect each outlet of the Hydrams together after 50 meters to a main
delivery pipe. This option has shown good results.
 To connect each outlet of the Hydrams to a delivery pipe (i.e. if there are 3
pumps, there will be 3 delivery pipes). AID Foundation believes after their
experience that this method allows a greater overall delivery flow in the
storage tank. The main disadvantage of this solution is its cost. This solution
is certainly more efficient; however, no study has been implemented on site to
evaluate the improvement of efficiency.

Minimizing head losses

The use of elbows, tees, and reducers must be minimized in order to reduce head
losses.
Especially at the exit of the pump, elbows and tees are creating head losses that
reduce a lot the flow of water in the storage tank. Indeed, at the exit of the pumps,
the flow is not yet constant: the water travels by waves that flow at high velocity. The
head loss at high velocity is greater than at low velocity. This is why is advised to
avoid elbows and tees at the beginning of the delivery pipes.

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 Delivery pipes buried in the ground and rocks show the position

90˚ degree elbows at the outlet increase head losses

Delivery pipes are straight: flow is linear

Figure 9: Delivery pipes
The first picture shows how AID Foundation burry the delivery pipe and then mark
the route with rocks to remember the location.
The second picture is a try made by ACF: this is a mistake not to make. The water
flows out with velocity directly into an elbow. As a consequence, head losses are
created and the delivery flow decreases.
The third picture is a good practice learned from AID Foundation: the outlet of the air
chamber is aimed toward the final direction of the delivery pipe.
High Density Polyethylene is recommended because of its ease of installation (i.e.
the roll can be sold up to 50 meters). Galvanized iron or PVC pipes are easy to find
in NTT, Indonesia but are more time consuming (i.e. the length is 6 meter long and
the connection takes time; it also reduce the risk of leakages).

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 III. The pump
III.1. General description
The Hydram has many designs all over the world.

Figure 10: Example of Hydraulic Ram Pumps around the world

ACF has adapted a design from different existing solutions (i.e. mainly from the
DTU) in order to adapt to:
 The local manufacture in NTT, Indonesia; and to
 The need of the user in NTT, Indonesia in particular with the height needed
from the source of water to the village.

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 Figure 11: Hydraulic Ram Pump from ACF design

III.2. Description of components

III.2.1. The pump body
The pump body of a Hydram needs to be robust: it is the center of the water hammer
effect.

Tee Elbow

Figure 12.a: Pump body

The ACF design uses a 4” GI tee and a 4” GI elbow welded together. It gives three
openings:
 One input, the connection to the drive pipe; and
 Two outputs, the connections to the impulse valve and to the delivery valve.
Similar to the drive pipe, flanges are used because threads are not reliable enough.
A rubber seal is added between flanges to protect the pump from leaking.

15
 Figure 12.b: Pump body with supports, flanges and reducer
Two supports are also welded to allow the fixation of the Hydram on the pump
basement.
The water enters from the drive pipe into the pump body and flows directly to the
impulse valve.

III.2.2. Impulse valve

Guide Stem

Guide
support

Plate Plug Locking Nut

Figure 13: Impulse valve and its components

The impulse valve is located above the elbow of the pump body.

16
The impulse valve of the ACF design of the Hydram is mainly based on the design
from the DTU. It is composed of three components:
 The plate;
 The plug; and
 The locking bolt.
The impulse valve is the part that allows the water to create continuous water
hammer effects. The plug needs to be wide enough so that the water pushes it
upward.
The closure needs to be fast and clear. This is why it is important to guide the plug
vertically. Also, it is recommended that the contact surfaces between the plate and
the plug are conical: this contact is better than flat surfaces for waterproof purposes.
The locking nut is used to stop the plug falling downward. It allows the modification
of the length of the stroke of the plug. This option is better than putting simple nuts
on the plug. One or two nuts are not enough: they get loose by the continuous hits
when the plug goes down. This device makes sure that the length of the stroke stays
the same until further modification during maintenance.

III.2.3. Delivery valve

The delivery valve is located above the tee of the pump body.
The delivery valve is a non-return valve: it allows the water to go from the pump body
to the air vessel and forbid the water to flow in the opposite direction. When the
pressure inside the pump body is higher than the pressure in the air vessel, the valve
opens and let the water flows.
The delivery valve is made out of three components:
 The delivery plate;
 The delivery plug; and
 The bolt.

Bottom Top

17
 Rubber Machine
belt

Figure 14: Delivery valve

Most of the design of Hydrams uses rubber to close the delivery valve; ACF takes
the advice of AID Foundation: the design of the delivery valve uses machine belts as
material.

III.2.4. Air vessel

Outlet

Figure 15: Air vessel

The air vessel is located above the delivery valve.
The air vessel is a vital component of the Hydram and is visually its main
characteristic. Without it, the water coming through the delivery valve would have a
great velocity and too much head losses would be created. With the air vessel, the
air is slowed down because the air inside the air vessel acts like a spring. The air
vessel improves a lot the efficiency of the pump.

18
 III.2.5. Snifter valve
The snifter valve is a device to allow the air to enter in the air vessel.
It is important to have this supply of air because the air in the air vessel is mixed with
the water while the Hydram is running. As a consequence, the volume of air reduces.
The snifter valve allows maintaining a necessary level of air inside the air vessel.
The DTU design uses a valve with a rubber seal. If the hole is very small (i.e. 1 to 2
mm of diameter), the system is working and the pressure will not reduce too much
even if there is water going out. ACF chose to use just a small hole.

Figure 16: Snifter valve

19
 IV. Application on site
This part is essentially based on the very useful book Hydraulic Hydrams from the
DTU.

IV.1. Project management of a Hydraulic Ram Pump project

Time management
From the idea of installing a RPS to the exciting time of watching water flowing in the
storage tank, it takes time. As the project can only be successful if the community is
involved, trained and monitored, it takes even more time.
The time with the community is more than important: it is necessary for the success
of the project. The transport and the time consuming maintenance are two factors
which cannot allow a company, an NGO or the government to ensure a frequent and
adapted maintenance of the RPS. The users are adapted to this task: it is why they
need to be part of the project from the beginning.
A RPS project should include the following steps:
 The socialization with the targeted community and planning of the
participation;
 The field survey of the area;
 The design;
 The supply of material on site;
 The construction;
 The tests and first maintenance;
 The training of the water committee;
 The handover of the RPS;
 The evaluation.
All these phases need to be implemented with constant cooperation and
communication with the community. Many of these phases have been described in
the previous modules (i.e. socialization with the community and training with the
community in Module 5, surveying in Module 3, part of design in Module 2, part of
construction in Module 3).
This module focuses on the survey of the area for the RPS, the design and
construction of the header tank, the drive pipe, the pump basement, the Hydram and
the delivery pipe, and the tests.
The time taken for each phase depends on:
 The distance that separates the targeted community from the office of the
organization;
 The season (i.e. during the wet season, construction takes twice as much time
as the dry season);
 The human resources available (both from the community and from the
organization);

20
  The complexity of the topography and the system (i.e. number of pumps,
number of route and of storage tank)
 Agricultural and cultural calendar.
The duration of a project varies from one site to another: they last between 2 to 3
months long.

Human resources management

For a RPS project as for a GFS project, the team should include:
 1 water technician trained in RPS for the design, the planning, and the
management of the teams;
 1 logistician for the supplies to the sites, the follow-up of materials; vehicles,
and accommodation of workers on site;
 1 foreman overseeing plumbing and brickwork teams;
 1 mason foreman;
 2 assistant masons preparing mould and concrete work;
 1 plumber foreman installing and connecting pipes;
 2 assistant plumbers laying and connecting pipes
 Daily labor for trench digging, transporting material (i.e. it is better if the
workers are from the community).

Cost management
The range of the cost of a RPS varies from USD 2,000 to 6,000. The figures below
are an example from AID Foundation that gives a good estimation of the amount
spent on each component:
 Spring catchment tank USD 80
 Drive tank USD 59
 Hydram foundation USD 62
 Hydram and accessories USD 322
 Diversion pipe USD 834
 Drive pipe USD 201
 Delivery pipe USD 468
 Distribution line & 3 tap stands USD 148
 Management and Training USD 1,044
 Community cost (in kind) USD 307
Appendix xx is dedicated to the cost analysis of an example of a RPS.

21
 IV.2. Survey a potential site
The DTU design assignment procedure to survey a potential site is adapted to the
reality of the field and very helpful to the designer. It is presented in appendix xx.
Important points are described in the following paragraphs.

IV.2.1. Calculation of the delivery flow

The calculation of the flow that may be supplied to the community (i.e. delivery flow)
use the following inputs:
 The drive flow in liter per second (Q);
 The drive height in meter (H);
 The delivery height (h); and
 The efficiency of the pump in percentage (μ).
The formula is:
H Q  
q
h

Figure 17: Efficiency formula

IV.2.2. Constraints

From the water required by the community

The design of the site is driven by the objective of supplying enough water to the
targeted community based on identified needs (refer to Module 3 for further details
on water requirements). If a site cannot provide enough water, other solutions need
to be found.

From the pump

A particular Hydram works under a particular range of drive flow and of drive height.
If the drive height or the drive flow is too low, the water has not enough energy to
create a water hammer effect. If the drive height or the drive flow is too high, the
energy of the water causes too much stress on the pump and reduces its lifetime.
The ACF design is mainly based on the design made by the DTU in 1998. It allows a
drive height from 2 to 15 meters, and a drive flow from 0.6 to 2 liters per second.

22
 From the position of the storage tank
A too high delivery height causes not only the reduction of the delivery flow and the
important reduction of the efficiency of the pump but also, it will cause stress on the
pump itself due to the pressure in the delivery pipe.
The DTU recommends that the delivery height does not exceed 100 meters for their
Hydraulic Ram Pump S2. The ACF design is based on the DTU Hydraulic Ram
Pump S2.

From the topography

The height between the header tank and the pump basement is critical. The
efficiency of the Hydram relies on them. Moreover, their position is also important: a
slope not steep enough does not allow the water to flow fast in the drive pipe.
The length of the drive pipe (L) and the drive height (H) should have a ratio not
exceeding 7 (i.e. the slope is not steep enough; too much head losses will be
created):
L
  7
H

Figure 18: Topography and drive pipe position

From the environment

It is important to consider the environment of the site to position the RPS
infrastructures.
 Cutting trees should be avoided; in any case, permission from the owner of
the land or from the community should be obtained;
 In the region of NTT, Indonesia hard rain is common causing erosion and
landslide. The civil work design should avoid any risk of such accident
causing the rupture of the system and a costly rehabilitation.
 The route of the delivery pipe should anticipate problems caused by crossing
rivers, roads, lands with cattle;

23
  Children are naturally playing with water: designs should avoid allowing
children to play on pipes, on tanks (i.e. for security reasons).
 The material used to construct a RPS is attractive: bolts, nuts, screw,
maintenance material, pipe should be kept from the temptation as much as
possible.
In order to avoid as much as possible these problems, experience is the best tool.
The community knows best their land, their people and their habits. Dialogues, ideas
and initiatives from the community need to be encouraged by the project manager.

Figure 19: Community meeting

From the cost

Cost efficiency is an important consideration. The choice of the route of the delivery
pipe, of the number of pumps to be installed, of the type of support for the drive pipe
and of the delivery pipe will change the cost. The designer will have to balance
between reliability, efficiency and cost.
A cost analysis is given in appendix xx.

From the water needs downstream

The Hydram is not taking all the water of a source. However, it is important to survey
the need of the villagers around the source of water and downstream. People are
probably used to bath or fetch the water at the source. It is important to identify their
need and not to deprive them of their natural access to water.

IV.3. Installation
1 For the implementation of the project, it is important to start by the stream or
spring catchment. The catchment tank will give the flow available compared to the
estimated flow found during the survey. Modifications of the design of the rest of the
system may be useful.
Position the beginning of the feed pipe toward the header tank.
2 Then, according to the topography, construct the header tank and position:
 the end of the feed pipe toward the stream or spring catchment; and
 The drive pipes toward the pump basement.

24
The drive pipes need to be as straight as possible. A method is to use a string
attached on the position of the beginning of the drive pipe to the future position of the
Hydram as shown in the following picture.

Figure 20: Aligning header tank and pump basement

3 Dig and burry the feed pipe.

Figure 21: Burring delivery pipe

4 Construct the pump basement
Two critical issues are raised:
 The pump basement need to be perfectly straight to ensure an easy
translation of the plug up and down the guide of the impulse valve; and

25
  The 4 screws casted in the pump basement need to be perfectly aligned with
the drive pipe to ensure an optimum positioning of the Hydram.

Figure 22: Construction of the pump basement

5 Install the drive pipes and their supports. Installed in the beginning with
support made of wood, the mason constructs supports to ensure that the drive pipes
are straight and do not move during the water hammer effect. Avoiding movements
of the drive pipe allows an increase of the pressure in the pump body and an
increase of the pump efficiency. Clamps are attached tightly to the support (i.e.
screws are casted in the concrete) to maintain the drive pipes.

Figure 23: Drive pipes and supports

26
6 The digging and burial of the delivery pipe is a long and human resource
demanding task. It can be started in parallel to the tasks described previously. It is
important to start by the bottom (i.e. position of the pump basement) avoid digging
and installing the pipe.

Figure 24: Choice of route for the delivery pipe

In the Figure 24, three routes are drawn and only the route C is correct.
 The route A is too long and the beginning is too flat (i.e. the cost is too high
and there are high risk that the pipe goes downhill and uphill alternatively).
 The route B is the shortest but goes over a hill and down and goes up again:
There will be a problem of air blocked at the top of the hill.
 The route C is a good balance between the length and a constant slope uphill.

7 Connecting the multiple delivery pipe to the main pipes

In case two or more Hydrams are on the same pump basement, a choice of using
one main delivery pipe or multiple delivery pipes has to be made by the project
manager. It is a balance between cost and efficiency.
If the connection of the outlets of the Hydrams (i.e. the beginning of the delivery
pipe) is too close to the Hydram, there is a high chance that the water of one outlet
flows backward in another outlet. This is because the water hammer effects of the
pumps do not happens exactly at the same time.
It is recommended to connect the outlets at least 50 meters after the Hydrams. At
this distance the flow of the water is more constant and the connection happens with
less head losses.

27
 IV.4. Starting the Hydraulic Ram Pump System
Before starting the Hydraulic Ram Pump
Make sure that:
 Bolts are tight (air vessel, pump body);
 The feed pipe flow is constant, header tank is clean and full and overflow is
operating;
 The pump basement is clear; and
 The impulse valve is removed.
To remove all undesired material inside the drive pipe:
 Open the ball valve at the drive pipe gently from closed to full; and
 Close the drive pipe.
Finally:
 Clean the snifter valve; and
 Put back the impulse valve.

Starting the Hydraulic Ram Pump

 Open the ball valve at the drive pipe until all the air is out and flow is constant;
and
 Prime the Hydram;
 Look for problems (i.e. leakages, moving parts, bolts and nuts, pipe
connections).

Priming the Hydraulic Ram Pump

Why priming?
Before running the Hydram, there is no water in the delivery pipe: above the delivery
valve in the air vessel, there is only air.

Figure 25.a: when starting the Hydram, the water flows not only through the impulse
valve but also through the delivery valve. This is because the delivery valve stays
open: there is not any pressure above the valve to close it. As a consequence, not
enough water flows through the impulse valve to create a strong hammer effect.
Without a strong hammer effect, the depression that allows the impulse valve to
open is not possible. It is why priming is needed to help the impulse valve going
down.

Figure 25.b: After that the water in the delivery pipe reaches the same height as the
header tank, the situation changes and the pump can work automatically. The
pressure above the delivery valve is greater than below when the water is
accelerating and flows only through the impulse valve.

28
It creates a strong hammer effect that increases the pressure to open the delivery
valve, let the water flow in the delivery pipe, and allows a depression. This
depression makes the impulse valve open and the cycles of the Hydram can run
automatically.

a. Priming is needed b. The Hydraulic Ram Pump works automatically

Figure 25: Why priming
How to prime the Hydraulic Ram Pump?

Figure 26: Priming the Hydraulic Ram Pump

Only by pushing down the plug of the impulse valve with a foot, the technician is able
to open the impulse valve to start a new cycle. After that the water reaches a high
enough point in the delivery pipe, the plug will go down automatically and the
technician can stop and focus on checking for problems and leakages.

Adjusting the stroke

Trials and tests need to be carried out to look for the best balance between delivery
flow and waste flow.
The locking nut is designed to increase or decrease the length stroke of the plug in
the impulse valve.

29
 The longer the stroke the stronger the water hammer effect is. When the plug is
down, more waste water is able to flow out increasing the velocity of the drive water.
As a consequence, this high velocity is causing a strong water hammer effect.
However, this relation is not linear: the velocity reaches even if the stroke is at its
maximum. It is causing a waste of water much greater than the increase of the
delivery flow: the efficiency reduces.
On the opposite, a too small stroke cannot create a water hammer effect strong
enough to have the required delivery flow, or even not strong enough to make the
Hydram work automatically.
The DTU gives well explained recommendations on tuning the Hydram for different
purposes.
“Peak output
When there is plenty of drive water available (e.g. wet season) the pump should be
tuned for peak output (i.e. the delivery of as much water as possible). This usually
coincides with a long impulse valve stroke allowing the velocity of water in the drive
pipe to build up, increasing the energy available for pumping. It should be
remembered, however, that tuning for peak output also raises those forces in the
pump that accelerate failure. For this reason, never exceed the recommended
maximum stroke.
Peak efficiency
When there is a limited amount of drive water available (e.g. dry season), it is
important that the pumps installed are tuned down to use most of the drive water to
be lifted and delivered. This corresponds to a small length stroke.”

IV.5. Common problems and maintenance

The main problems of the RPS are the leakages and the blockages of the pipes:
 Leakages will come mainly from the pipe connections; and
 Blockages from a poor protection of the catchment or the header tank.
The maintenance procedure designed by the DTU is given in appendix xx.

30
 V. Local manufacture of the pump
V.1. Starting a local manufacture
V.1.1. Skilled technician
The manufacture of the Hydram designed by ACF needs skills available in NTT and
in most part of the world. The technician has to know how to:
 Weld for waterproof connections and with different material;
 Drill;
 Cut iron plate;
 Use a lathe machine;
 Read technical drawing.
A mechanic that has worked for repairing car or motorbikes is adapted to this job.

V.1.2. Supply of material

The technician needs:
 4” GI pipes, elbows and tees of first quality;
 2” GI pipes;
 3/4” pipes for gas;
 A crow bars;
 6 mm and a 10 mm stainless steel plates (mild iron plate is stronger and can
corrode, use anti-corrosion paint under a layer of color paint to improve a little
the longevity);
 3/4” stainless steel bolts and nuts;
 3 mm rubber surfaces (inside tube of truck can be used if still of good quality:
no visible damage); and
 90˚ profiles 5 x 5 cm.

V.1.3. Equipment and tools

The workshop needs to be equipped with:
 A lathe machine;
 A welding plant and welding rod;
 A drilling machine and drilling bits;
 A cutting machine and cutting disc;
 A cutting torch and oxygen bottle;
 A grinder;
 Diameter measurer, ruler, carpenter measurer, marker, paint, a level,
spanners, keys, etc;

31
  Safety goggles, safety gloves, ear plug, mask to protect from metallic dust;
and
 A generator in case of black-out of electricity.

Figure 27: Tools and equipment

V.2. Steps to follow for local manufacture

Technical drawings are given in appendix xx.

V.2.1. Flanges, reducer, top of the air chamber and plates

The technician cuts the 10 mm stainless steel plate to produce the flanges with the
cutting torch. After grinding, the flange (i.e. or reducer…) is taken to the lathe
machine to for surfacing and making the PCD.

Figure 28: Cutting the iron plate

32
The PCD are concentric circles on the surfaces that will be in contact to the rubber
seal. It helps the rubber seal to anchor and resist to the high pressure given by the
water hammer effect. If not, the rubber moves and leakages appear.
Finally, drill the holes for the bolt and flanges are ready for being welded to the pump
body.
This step is the same for the flanges for the drive pipe and for reducing on end of the
tee for connecting the drive pipe. A pipe used for the drive pipe (i.e. 2”) is welded on
to create the inlet of the pump.

Figure 29: Flanges, plates, reducer, and top of air chamber manufacture

V.2.2. Pump body

The first step is to weld the GI tee and the GI elbow together with a strong
waterproof weld. Then, the reducer, and finally the support are welded.

Figure 30: Welding the pump body

33
 Two 90˚ profiles are cut and holes are drilled in them to create the support of the
pump. The position of the holes needs to match the position of the screws on the
pump basement. Then, it is ready to be welded to the pump body.

Figure 31: Supports on pump body

34
 V.2.3. Snifter valve
The snifter valve is a 2 mm hole in the pump body 2 cm below the delivery valve.
The technician needs to weld a point on the pump body to add material and then,
drill inside. If the hole is too big while the pump is running (i.e. too much leakage of
water), a nail can be placed inside the hole to reduce it.

Figure 32: Snifter valve manufacture

V.2.4. Delivery valve

The delivery valve manufacture starts like the flanges except it has no large hole at
its center like the flanges or the plate for the impulse valve. It has small holes drilled
with the hand drilling machine and with 6 mm drilling bits.

Figure 33: Delivery valve manufacture

35
 V.2.5. Impulse valve
The impulse valve is the most complicated component to manufacture in the
Hydram.
The plate
Starting with a plate like the flanges, do not make the hole in the center in the
beginning: this step will be at last. Then, produce the support for the guide with
rectangles from the iron plate.

Figure 34: Manufacture of the support for the impulse valve guide
The iron plate is cut to produce rectangles that will support the guide. After, all steps
are done on the lathe machine.
First, the top is manufactured: the top side faces the cutting tools:
 Surface the top;
 Position and weld the support for the guide;
 Drill a hole to put the guide inside the top rectangle;
 Weld the guide;
 Finish.

Figure 35: Manufacture of the top of the impulse valve plate

On a second time, the bottom side of the stop bar faces the cutting tools:
 Cut the center hole in the plate;
 Cut the 45˚ angle edge;

36
  Drill inside the guide (i.e. the technician is sure that the edge and the inside of
the guide are aligned: this is important for the movement of the plug).
 Make the PCD;
 Finish.

Figure 36: Manufacture of the bottom of the impulse valve plate

The plug
The manufacture of the plug is done in three times. First, the technician has to
prepare the plate and the stem respectively from the 10 mm iron plate and from the
crow bar.
For the stem:
 Cut a 170 mm long piece; and
 With the lathe machine, cut off one end to 12- mm diameter on 20 mm.
For the plate:
 Cut a disc of 100 mm diameter;
 Drill a 12+ mm hole at its center;
 Position the stem inside and weld the stem to the plug on the lathe machine;
 Surface the crow bar until a diameter of 18 mm;
 Turn the assembly on the other side on the lathe machine (i.e. the bottom of
the plug facing the cutting tools, the lathe machine attaching the stem);
 Weld the stem to the plug on the lathe machine;
 Cut of the weld with the lathe machine so that the lathe machine can hold the
plug from the bottom;
 Turn the assembly so that the stem is facing the cutting tools of the lathe
machine;
 Now, in one position, the technician can surface the edge of the disc with a
45˚ degree angle, surface the stem for a good translation in the guide and
make the threads for the locking nut.

37
 Figure 37: Manufacture of the stem of the impulse valve

V.2.6. Air chamber

In order to manufacture the air chamber:
 Cut a 1.2 m long piece of the 4” pipe.
 Position and weld the flange on the 4” pipe on one side;
 Position and weld the top of the air chamber on the other side; and
 With the welding machine, make a 1 ¼” hole inside the 4” pipe 200 mm above
the flange.
 With a 1 ¼” pipe, cut a 200 mm long piece and make threads to connect with
a union to make the outlet; and
 Weld the outlet in the air chamber.

Figure 38: Manufacture of the air vessel

V.2.7. Finishing
To finish, it is important to protect the all parts except from the stem and the bolts
from corrosion:
 Paint a layer of anticorrosion paint, then a layer of color paint.

38
 Appendices

Efficiency discs from DTU ......................................................................................... 40

System design procedure from DTU ......................................................................... 42
Common problems and maintenance from DTU ....................................................... 50
Exercices ................................................................................................................... 52
Corrections ................................................................................................................ 53
Cost analysis in NTT for a ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” .......................................... 55
Cost of the manufacture ........................................................................................ 55
Cost of a project from AID Foundation .................................................................. 58
Technical drawings of ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” design ..................................... 59
The ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” ......................................................................... 60
The impulse valve plug ......................................................................................... 61
The impulse valve plate ........................................................................................ 62
The delivery valve ................................................................................................. 63
The pump body with supports, flanges and reducer ............................................. 64
The air vessel ........................................................................................................ 65
Contact list ................................................................................................................ 66
References and further reading ................................................................................. 67

39
 Efficiency discs from DTU

40
41
 System design procedure from DTU

42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
 Common problems and maintenance from DTU

Personal notes

Personal notes

50
 The ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” characteristics

Drive pipe size: Ø 2”

Minimum drive flow Qp,min: 0.6 liters per second

Maximum drive flow Qp,max: 2 liters per second
Average drive flow Qp,av: 1.3 liters per second

Minimum drive height Hp,min: 6 meters

Maximum drive height Hp,max: 10 meters

Maximum delivery height h: 150 meters

Efficiency (also depend on the system) μ: 60 percent

Estimated flow range q: 1 to 25 liters a minute

Frequency of stroke 25 to 50 stroke a minute

51
 Exercices
5 exercises are presented below in order to understand better the process presented
by the DTU. Corrections are following.
The pump characteristics are the one of the ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” given
above except for the efficiency. In these exercises, the efficiency µ is estimated to be
55%.
The staff on field faces 5 different potential sites. The goal is to avoid the sites where
the demand of the community cannot be reached. Then, if the site can provide
enough water, drive height, drive flow, number of pumps, delivery height, and
delivery flow must be calculated.
The characteristics of the site have been evaluated during a site survey and are
collected in the table below.

Maximum drive Maximum drive Delivery flow Height from

# flow available head available required intake to delivery
Qmax (l/s) Hmax (m) qreq (l/s) h1 (m)
1 5 1,5 0,18 55

2 8 10 0,24 120

3 5 15 0,62 70

4 7 12 0,4 100

5 8 15 0,15 135

6 5 15 0,18 100

7 10 6,5 0,2 140

8 5 15 0,18 66

9 8 8 0,18 90

10 8 5 0,2 70

52
 Corrections
Site 1:
Step B.3: not valid. There is not enough drive head available to run this pump. The
water could not get enough speed and kinetic energy to produce a strong water
hammer effect. The technician has to find another site with greater drive head.
Hmax < Hp,min
1.5 < 6
Site 2:
Part B is valid: the site can allow at least one pump to run.
Part C is valid: the demand of the community is reached. If all drive head and drive
height is used, the maximum delivery flow is:
h = h1 + H = 120 + 10 = 130
qmax = H x Q x µ / h = 10 x 8 x 0.55 / 130 = 0.33 l/s
qmax > qreq
0.33 > 0.24
Now, the technician has to find value to avoid wasting money (i.e. in pipes).
Part D:
Step 1: the maximum drive height is greater than 6 meter.
Hmax = 10 > 6 Go to step 2
Step 2: the maximum drive flow is greater than the flow to run 4 pumps.
Qmax = 8 > 1.3 x 4 = 5.2 = 4 x Qp,av Go to step 7
Step 7: the drive flow Q is set at 5.2 l/s for 4 pumps. The drive head calculated using
a 5.2 l/s requires 11 meters of drive head.
H = h1 x qreq / (µ x Q - qreq) = 120 x 0.24 / (0.55 x 5.2 – 0.24) = 11
Step 8: the drive head required is not available. H = 11 > 10 = Hmax
The drive head is now set at its maximum H = Hmax = 10 meters Go to step 11
Step 11: the delivery head is now equal to h = h1 + H = 120 + 10 = 130 m
The drive flow equals 5.7 l/s per second (i.e. 1.4 l/s per pump for 4 pumps).

Site 3
Part C is not valid: the required flow is cannot be reached even if one pump can run.
The required flow is too great.
qmax = Hmax x Qmax x µ / (h1 + Hmax) = 5 x 15 x 0.55 / (70 + 15) = 0.49 < 0.62 = qreq
The technician has to find another site.

53
 Site 4
Part B and Part C are valid: the technician can install a RPS on this site.
Part D
Step 1: the maximum drive height is greater than 6 meter.
Hmax = 10 > 6 Go to step 2
Step 2: the maximum drive flow is lower than the flow to run 4 pumps.
Qmax = 5 < 1.3 x 4 = 5.2 = 4 x Qp,av Go to step 3
Step 3: the drive flow is set at its maximum. Q = 5 l/s. 4 pumps are still chosen to
propose more flexibility in term of maintenance and for potential future needs.
N = 4 and the flow per pump equals 1.25 l/s.
The drive flow Q is 5 l/s for 4 pumps. The drive head is:
H = h1 x qreq / (µ x Q - qreq) = 100 x 0.18 / (0.55 x 5 – 0.18) = 7
Step 4: The delivery head is equal to h = 7 + 100 = 107 meters.

Site 5
Part B and Part C are valid: the technician can install a RPS on this site.
Part D
Step 1: the maximum drive height is lower than 6 meter.
Hmax = 5 < 6 Go to step 11
Step 11: The drive height is set at its maximum H = Hmax = 5; so the delivery height
is h = hmax = h1 + H = 70 + 5 = 75.
Q = qreq x h / (µ x H) = 0.2 x 75 / (0.55 x 5) = 5.45 l/s

54
 Cost analysis in NTT for a ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2”
Cost of the manufacture
Material for 1 unit of Ram Pump Cost for a set of
Item Components Qt Cost per unit Cost Sector 10 pumps
Additional 30% for increase of material cost
101 Galvanised Iron T 4" 1 IDR 140,000 IDR 140,000 I Supply of material IDR 18,083,000
102 Galvanised Iron Elbow 4" 1 IDR 120,000 IDR 120,000
103 Flange 2 IDR 40,000 IDR 80,000 II Transport from supplier
104 End Plate 1 IDR 15,000 IDR 15,000 to manufacturer IDR 1,500,000
105 Bolt 1 1/2" 6 IDR 15,000 IDR 90,000
106 Bolt 2 1/2" 6 IDR 20,000 IDR 120,000 III Labour of manufacture IDR 500,000
107 Spring ring 12 IDR 1,000 IDR 12,000
108 Rubber seals 3 IDR 10,000 IDR 30,000 5% of the supply of the material
109 Galvanised Iron pipe 2" 1 IDR 10,000 IDR 10,000 IV Power for manufacture IDR 904,150
Total Pump body IDR 617,000
20% of the supply of the material
201 Guide 1 IDR 20,000 IDR 20,000 V Depreciation of Machines IDR 3,616,600
202 Impulse valve plate 1 IDR 40,000 IDR 40,000
203 Impulse valve plug 1 IDR 15,000 IDR 15,000 30% of the supply of the material
204 Locking nut 1 IDR 15,000 IDR 15,000 VI Benefit on the manufacture IDR 5,424,900
205 Impulse valve stem 1 IDR 15,000 IDR 15,000
206 Impulse stop valve 1 IDR 30,000 IDR 30,000 Total IDR 30,028,650
Total Impulse valve IDR 135,000
Unit selling price ex-factory IDR 3,010,000
301 Delivery valve plate 1 IDR 40,000 IDR 40,000 US$ 301
302 Delivery valve rubber 1 IDR 20,000 IDR 20,000
303 Screw 1 IDR 4,000 IDR 4,000
304 Nut 2 IDR 1,500 IDR 3,000
305 Spring ring 1 IDR 1,000 IDR 1,000
Total Delivery valve IDR 68,000 Cost evaluation made by ACF in March 2009
Supplies are from Soe and Kupang
401 Bottom flange air vessel plate 1 IDR 40,000 IDR 40,000 Manufacturer in Soe
402 Top end air vessel plate 1 IDR 15,000 IDR 15,000
403 Galvanised Iron pipe 1 IDR 200,000 IDR 200,000 Pump
404 Outlet 1 IDR 10,000 IDR 10,000 Ram Pump 2" ACF
Total Air vessel valve IDR 265,000

500 Support 2 IDR 5,000 IDR 10,000

501 Bolt 4 IDR 8,000 IDR 32,000
502 Spring ring 4 IDR 1,000 IDR 4,000
Total Support IDR 46,000

600 Bolt 2 1/2" 6 IDR 20,000 IDR 120,000

601 Bolt 1 1/2" 6 IDR 15,000 IDR 90,000
602 Rubber seals 3 IDR 10,000 IDR 30,000
603 Delivery valve rubber 1 IDR 20,000 IDR 20,000
Total spare parts kit IDR 260,000

Total cost of material for a Ram Pump IDR 1,391,000

55
 Cost break-down of complete Ram Pump System from AID Foundation
Rate Amount Amount
# Item description Quantity Unit
(PHP) (PHP) (USD)

100 Spring catchment tank - 2 units PHP 3,594 USD 80

101 Cement 7 bag PHP 210 PHP 1,470 USD 33
102 Binding wire 1 roll PHP 1,450 PHP 1,450 USD 32
103 Reinforced-bars 1 piece PHP 222 PHP 222 USD 5
104 GI Tie Wire # 18 0.5 kg PHP 78 PHP 39 USD 1
105 Hardcore 0.25 cubic m. PHP 650 PHP 163 USD 4
106 Sand 0.5 cubic m. PHP 500 PHP 250 USD 6

200 Drive tank PHP 2,671 USD 59

201 Cement 5 bag PHP 210 PHP 1,050 USD 23
202 Binding wire 0.5 roll PHP 1,450 PHP 725 USD 16
203 Reinforced-bars 2 piece PHP 222 PHP 444 USD 10
204 GI Tie Wire # 18 0.5 kg PHP 78 PHP 39 USD 1
205 Hardcore 0.25 cubic m. PHP 650 PHP 163 USD 4
206 Sand 0.5 cubic m. PHP 500 PHP 250 USD 6

300 Ram Pump foundation PHP 2,795 USD 62

301 Cement 6 bag PHP 210 PHP 1,260 USD 28
302 Binding wire 0.5 roll PHP 1,450 PHP 725 USD 16
303 Reinforced-bars 2 piece PHP 222 PHP 444 USD 10
304 GI Tie Wire # 18 1 kg PHP 78 PHP 78 USD 2
305 Hardcore 0.25 cubic m. PHP 650 PHP 163 USD 4
306 Sand 0.25 cubic m. PHP 500 PHP 125 USD 3

400 Ram Pump and accessories PHP 14,500 USD 322

401 1 1/2"Ø Hygraulic Ram Pump 1 piece PHP 11,000 PHP 11,000 USD 244
402 Tool kit 1 piece PHP 3,500 PHP 3,500 USD 78

500 Pipe and accessories PHP 67,617 USD 1,503

510 Feed pipe PHP 37,515 USD 834

511 ISO HDPE Hoe 1 1/2"Øx60m SDR - 11 5 roll PHP 6,765 PHP 33,823 USD 752
512 ISO Plastic Replacement 1 1/2"Ø 10 piece PHP 212 PHP 2,117 USD 47
513 ISO Plastic Coupling 1 1/2"Ø 3 piece PHP 342 PHP 1,025 USD 23
514 GI coupling 1 1/2"Ø 10 piece PHP 45 PHP 450 USD 10
515 GI Tee 1 1/2"Ø 2 piece PHP 50 PHP 100 USD 2

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 Cost break-down of complete Ram Pump System from AID Foundation
Rate Amount Amount
# Item description Quantity Unit
(PHP) (PHP) (USD)

520 Drive pipe PHP 9,049 USD 201

521 GI Pipe 1 1/2"Øx60m S40 5 length PHP 1,308 PHP 6,539 USD 145
522 Welding rod (6013) 3 kg PHP 85 PHP 255 USD 6
523 Portland Cement 8 bag PHP 210 PHP 1,680 USD 37
524 Sand 0.5 cubic m. PHP 500 PHP 250 USD 6
525 Hardcore 0.5 cubic m. PHP 650 PHP 325 USD 7

530 Delivery pipe PHP 21,053 USD 468

531 ISO HDPE Hose 1"Øx100m SDR - 11 3.5 roll PHP 3,705 PHP 12,968 USD 288
532 ISO HDPE Hose 3/4"Øx100m SDR - 11 2 roll PHP 3,424 PHP 6,849 USD 152
533 ISO Brass Replacemet 1"Ø 1 piece PHP 240 PHP 240 USD 5
534 ISO Brass Replacemet 3/4"Ø 1 piece PHP 162 PHP 162 USD 4
535 ISO Plastic Reducer 1"Øx3/4"Ø 1 piece PHP 105 PHP 105 USD 2
536 ISO Plastic Coupling 1"Ø 2 piece PHP 95 PHP 190 USD 4
537 ISO Plastic Coupling 3/4"Ø 1 piece PHP 95 PHP 95 USD 2
538 GI Pipe 3/4"Øx6m S40 0.5 length PHP 600 PHP 300 USD 7
539 GI Elbow 3/4"Øx45˚ 3 piece PHP 15 PHP 45 USD 1
540 Teflon Tape 1/2" 4 roll PHP 25 PHP 100 USD 2

600 Distribution line & 3 tap stands PHP 6,659 USD 148
601 ISO HDPE Hose 1/2"Øx300m 1 roll PHP 4,338 PHP 4,338 USD 96
602 ISO Plastic Replacement 1/2" 6 piece PHP 54 PHP 324 USD 7
603 ISO Plastic Coupling 1/2" 1 piece PHP 90 PHP 90 USD 2
604 Brass faucet 1/2" 3 piece PHP 150 PHP 450 USD 10
605 Gate Valve 1/2" 3 piece PHP 272 PHP 817 USD 18
606 GI Elbow 1/2"x90˚ 6 piece PHP 15 PHP 90 USD 2
607 GI Coupling 1/2" 6 piece PHP 12 PHP 72 USD 2
608 GI Nipple 1/2"x4" 6 piece PHP 22 PHP 130 USD 3
609 GI Nipple 1/2"x24" 3 piece PHP 66 PHP 198 USD 4
610 Teflon tape 6 roll PHP 25 PHP 150 USD 3
611 Cement 6 bag PHP 210 PHP 1,260 USD 28
612 Sand 0.5 cubic m. PHP 500 PHP 250 USD 6
613 Harcore 0.5 cubic m. PHP 650 PHP 325 USD 7
614 Binding wire 1 roll PHP 1,450 PHP 1,450 USD 32

700 Management and Training PHP 47,000 USD 1,044

Supervision and technology transfer PHP 42,000 USD 933
Social Preparation PHP 5,000 USD 111

800 Community cost PHP 13,800 USD 307

100 Spring catchment tank - 2 units PHP 3,594 USD 80

200 Drive tank PHP 2,671 USD 59
300 Ram Pump foundation PHP 2,795 USD 62
400 Ram Pump and accessories PHP 14,500 USD 322
510 Feed pipe PHP 37,515 USD 834
520 Drive pipe PHP 9,049 USD 201
530 Delivery pipe PHP 21,053 USD 468
600 Distribution line & 3 tap stands PHP 6,659 USD 148
700 Management and Training PHP 47,000 USD 1,044
800 Community cost PHP 13,800 USD 307
Total PHP 158,634 USD 3,525

57
 Cost of a project from AID Foundation

58
 Technical drawings of ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2” design
The technician for the manufacture is able to find the technical drawings of:
 The ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2”;
 The impulse valve plug;
 The impulse valve plate;
 The delivery valve;
 The pump body with supports, flanges and the reducer; and
 The air vessel.

59
The ACF Hydraulic Ram Pump 2”
The impulse valve plug

61
 The impulse valve plate

62
The delivery valve

63
 The pump body with supports, flanges and reducer

64
The air vessel

65
 Contact list
Action Contre la Faim, Paris Headquarter
Technical advisor
10, rue de Niepce
75013 Paris
ACF, Base of Soe
Program coordinator
JL Gajah Mada 56
SOE
TTS, NTT, Indonesia
Phone: (+62) 0388 214 08
Fax: (+62) 0388 22 432
Email: [email protected]
ACF, David Wala
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
ACF, Dominique Browne
Intern on Hydraulic Ram Pump Systems
Email: [email protected]

Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Auke Idzenga

Head of Technical Department
AIDFI Bldg., Murcia Road, Mansilingan,
6100 Bacolod City
Philippines
Tel: (+ 63) 034 – 4463629
Fax: (+ 63) 034 – 4462330
E-mail: [email protected]

66
 References and further reading

Hydraulic Ram Pumps – A guide to ram pump water supply systems

T.D. Jeffery, T.H. Thomas, A.V. Smith, P.B. Glover, P.D.Fountain
The Department Technology Unit – Warwick University
MDG Publishing, Warwickshire 2005

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for populations at risk

Action Contre la Faim
Hermann, Paris - 2005

67
 Module 1 General information on water and water supplies

Module 2 Principles and sizing of a gravity-fed system

Module 3 Feasibility study for the construction of a gravity-fed system

Module 4 Construction of a gravity-fed system

Module 5 Maintenance of infrastructures

Module 6 Hydraulic Ram Pump Systems

68