Hydraulic ram pumps and Sling Pumps

Hydraulic Ram Pump System Design and ApplicationCONSIDERATIONS IN HYDRAULIC RAM PUMP SYSTEM DESIGNThe following factors need to be considered in hydraulic Ram pump system design.●●●●●●●●Area suitability (head and flow rate)Flow rate and head requirementFloods considerationIntake designDrive systemPump house locationDelivery pipes routingDistribution systemFor these considerations reference 1 is a good guide.HYDRAULIC RAM PUMP DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS●●●●Manufacturing considerations - A choice between casting and welding method of manufacturehas to be made. Cast ram pumps are less susceptible to corrosion and have longer life. On theother hand, cast ram pumps are costly and cannot be made in a simple rural setting workshop.Usually, for low and medium sized ram pumps welding method of manufacture is preferredbecause of simplicity and less cost.Maintenance and service life considerations - The critical parts that require frequentmaintenance are bolts, studs and nuts. Therefore, it is usually preferable to have stainless steelbolts, studs and nuts, even though they are costly and difficult to source.Material availabilityGeneral considerations❍❍❍❍Shape of hydram has little effect on performanceValve design considerations. The correct design of valves is a critical factor in the overallperformance of ram pumps. Hence, this needs special consideration.Strength considerations. This determines thickness of hydram body and air chamber.Others - such as size of air chamber, size of valves, tuning devices need specialconsiderations. Reference 2 is a good guide for design of hydraulic rain pumpdimensions.RDTAC'S WORK ON HYDRAULIC RAM PUMPShttp://home.att.net/~africantech/ESME/hydram2/HydRam2.htm (6 of 12) [1/13/2005 12:43:03 PM]