EFFECTIVENESS OF MODIFIED SLING PUMP POWERED BY NATURE AT

DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS

A Project Study Presented to the

Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Architecture
Saint Louis University
Baguio City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course ME 528A
Project Study/Research II

Under the Supervision of:

Engr. Marcelino Lunag Jr.

Members:
Ang, Christian
Bandonill, Jan Raphael
Choycawen, John Paul
Juni, Marco Polo
Mallari, Brian Nicole
Palasigue, Francis Jay
Veniegas, Renniel
Villanueva, Justine Mark

May 12, 2016

Page |1

EFFECTIVENESS OF MODIFIED SLING PUMP POWERED BY NATURE AT

DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS
ABSTRACT
Shortage of energy sources, such as fuel, has been noticeable in todays setting so
people find ways to at least lessen the use of it. This study is about modified sling
pump which can operate even without the consumption of fuel or use of electricity.
Sling pump was developed as an alternative way of transporting water from river
to a higher elevation and an environmentally-sound device that is powered only by
river stream current. The researchers aimed to compute the effectiveness between
single and double coiled sling pump at different elevations. From the data gathered,
it shows that the double coiled sling pump is more effective for supplying water at
different elevations. Comparing the gathered data based from the performance of
the pump, it delivered more amount of water quantity at lower elevation.
KEYWORDS: single and double coiled sling pump, river stream current, effectiveness
INTRODUCTION

uel and electricity have been too expensive as non-renewable resources for the production
of power because of its demand and scarcity. People in rural areas have a difficulty in their
income making activities due to limited access to power supply especially the electrical
energy. This inadequacy leads to low productivity in their economic development processes.
Coil pump (figure 1) is a spiral pump, first invented in 1746, has been recreated and tested
at wind arm museum using lightweight and inexpensive modern materials. A 6 foot diameter wheel
with 160 feet of 1-1/4 inch inside diameter flexible polyethylene pipe is able to pump 3,900 gallons
of water per day to a 40 foot head with a peripheral speed of 3 feet per second. With its low torque
requirements, the pump is particularly suited to be mounted on and driven by a paddle wheel in a
current of two feet per second or greater. This easily built, low maintenance spiral pump can be
used to provide water without the need for fuel wherever is a flowing stream or river. It is also be
hand turned or otherwise driven to provide a low cost, efficient pump (Tailer, 1986).

Figure 1. Coil Pump operating on stream

Figure 2. Sling Pump operating on stream

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Sling Pump (figure 2) is a commercial adaptation of the coil pump principle. A Sling Pump
is based on concepts of Archimedes of Syracuse in the form of the snail (figure 3). The original
snail pump was operated by humans or animals, more recent applications have used the power
of flowing water to turn the snail (Stockman, 2006). Todays adaptation of the sling pump has a
casing around the coiled pipe and the drive is via a propeller facing into the stream current. The
pump rotates slowly. Various water lifts and volumes are possible with different sized coiled pipe.
The Sling Pump has 32mm polyethylene pipe for the internal coil. It will pump 15,000 liters per
day up to 7.6m (Brown, 2005).

Figure 3. Archimedes snail pump

While, the sling pump is a self-supporting system for pumping water. It is completely
mechanical and operates without the aid of electricity or fuel; hence water is pumped with a less
cost. The power to drive is provided by flowing water. The whole pump unit is set in slow rotation
by means of a propeller, which sets in motion by streaming water at axial level. The pump is held
in position by a mooring or a stake in the stream bed. Water conveyed by the pump can be used
for irrigation and livestock watering (Rife, 1884).
The main purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness between single and double
coiled sling pump in terms of water output that it can deliver at varying elevation. This research
could contribute to areas with flowing water source like rivers. This sling pump will give people a
solution to transfer water with less cost of obtaining water in supplying adequate amount of water
for, specifically, farm use and livestock watering.
In the Philippines, the study could serve as a reference that allows Filipinos, especially
those in the rural areas with rivers; with this mechanism it will be easier for them to transfer water
even with the absence of fuel and electricity. In terms of education, the study could provide a
facility which could show engineering students a way of developing less cost of delivering water.
To the researchers, the study is an application of their gained knowledge and skill in the field of
fluid mechanics and fluid machinery in delivering water and an opportunity to expand their
prospects towards the mechanical engineering field, further, it could also contribute to design a
similar but simpler and more economical type of pump.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

A) MATERIALS
Some material used in the pump like steel propeller, water drum and funnel are 2nd
hand materials or scrap materials.
Other parts used in the pump are available in hardware store.
The actual cost in constructing the single coiled pump is 3,707.00.
The actual cost in constructing the double coiled sling pump is 4,442.00.
The materials used in the construction of the pump were as follows:
Table 1. Materials used
Materials
Quantity
Materials
Quantity
Four-bladed galvanized steel propeller
1 pc.
PVC solvent cement (100 cm)
2 pcs.
125L plastic drum (16'' dia. X 30'' H)
1 pc.
1'' PVC nipple
4 pcs.
'' diameter water hose
10m
'' PVC nipple
5 pcs.
1'' diameter water hose
42m
'' GI nipple
2 pcs.
Styrofoam ice box (22'' x 1'' x 15'')
1 pc.
'' PVC coupling adapter
3 pcs.
'' PVC check valve (ball type)
1 pcs.
'' GI coupling
1 pc.
'' union coupling
1 pcs.
1'' x '' PVC tee reducer
1 pc.
Funnel
2 pcs
1'' PVC elbow
2 pcs.
Nylon cable tie
200 pcs.
Vulcaseal (75mL)
2 pcs.
Teflon tape
5 pcs.
Ropes
40m
5'' x 6'' stainless flat sheet
2 pcs.
Hose clamp
6 pcs.
12mm stainless bolt and nut
8 pcs.
B) PROCEDURE
Designing and assembling of the modified sling pump is composed of four parts.
1) FABRICATING THE PIPING SYSTEM
a) Assemble the pipe fitting assembly by using PVC solvent cement and Vulcaseal.
b) Drill the two flat sheet at center and corners.
c) Weld the GI nipple at the center of one flat sheet.
d) Drill the bottom part of drum at the center and corners.
e) Insert the welded GI nipple and flat sheet at the center of drilled portion of the drum.
f) Insert the other end of welded GI nipple and flat sheet at the pipe fitting assembly.
g) Connect the other piece of flat sheet to the welded GI nipple by using 12mm bolt and
nut.

Page |4

2) CONSTRUCTING THE PROPELLER

a) The propeller is fabricated using four 6 x 9 (20 gauge) galvanized steel sheet and
3/4 GI nipple.
b) Weld the flat sheet on the GI nipple.
c) Bend the welded flat sheet to set the rotation of the pump, if the rotation of the coil
was clockwise the bending of the propeller should be on a clockwise direction also.
d) Connect the propeller assembly to the welded flat sheet and GI nipple assembly and
on the other end of the propeller assembly connect the PVC check valve (ball
type) using coupling adapter (female).

3) COILING THE HOSE INSIDE THE DRUM

a) Computing the estimated length of 1 water hose.
Drum diam. = 16 in, Drum length = 30 in
Number of coils = 30 in *
= 30 coils
Circumference drum =

Length 1 hose = 1.276680953

30

= 1.276680953
= 38.30042857m + 3m allowance =

Therefore;
Single coil is 21m (15coils) and double coil is 42m (30coils).
b) Wrap the two-21m water hose clockwise inside the drum (spiral form).
c) Drill the body of the drum every coil and lock it with a cable tie.
d) Connect the ends to the pipe fitting assembly and funnel on the other ends.
e) Drill the cover of the drum and place a union coupling at the center.
f) Place a Styrofoam (cubes) inside the drum and locked it using screen wire.
g) Put the diameter water hose to outlet socket

Page |5

4) BUBBLE LEAK TEST

Bubble leak method is applied to the PVC check valve (ball type) assembly, connecting
it to the running water or faucets to check if the pipe connection was pressurized or no leak. After
conducting the bubble leak test the researchers found out that the PVC check valve assembly had
no leak on the entire connection.

C) TEST AND OPERATION

The finished pump (Appendix C) was tested in Brgy. Asin Rd. Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet
on February 25, 2016 and March 13, 2016. It is a flowing river, where the pump will function,
with wide area with different velocities of water current (Rife, 1884). The velocity of river flow at
a specific part of the river was determined using a Ping-Pong ball released in the river and timed
how long it travelled a 9 feet distance. The double coiled pump was tested five times at different
output elevations and timed how fast it filled a 5 gallons (18.9L) container. Single coiled pump
was tested the same as the double coiled but one inlet hose was covered with cork/stopper.
D) STATISTICAL TREATMENT
The statistical method used in the study in the analyzing and interpreting the data was twotailed paired T- test. This kind of T-test was used to compare means on the same or related subject
over time or in differing circumstances (Zhang, 2006). In the research, it was used to determine
the significant difference on the quantity of delivered water between single and double coiled
pump. The formula was as follows:
d
T=
S /n
Where T stands for T-value for samples; d, mean of differences within each pair of data;
S , standard deviation of the mean of differences; and n, number of pairs of data (NR, 1998).
The researchers selected for a 5 percent level of probability to determine the degree of
significance of the findings with 99 percent reliability (Calmorin and Calmorin, 2007). The critical
value of T-test can be obtained using the table shown in Appendix A given the degree of freedom
(df) which is (NR, 1998):
df = n 1

Page |6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The pump operated properly, as it delivered water at different height of outlet. All the data
gathered during the experiment was shown in tables 2, 3 and 4 held on March 13, 2016.

To completely fill the 5 gallons container, the rotation of the pump and time
obtained are shown in table 2 (Rotation and Time column).
Table 2. Pump Rotation and Time to fill in a 5 gallon (18.9L) container

Single Coil
Height
(ft.)

11

16

Trial

Rotation

1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average

42
40
42
41
39
40.8
49
52
50
49
52
50.4
62
59
61
62
60
60.8
72
75
70
75
74
73.2
116
120
118
116
113
116.6

Time
(min.)
1.616666667
1.666667
1.616666667
1.65
1.666666667
1.6433334
2.05
2.1
2.183333333
1.95
2.066666667
2.07
2.6
2.533333333
2.65
2.483333333
2.666666667
2.58666667
3.2
3.033333333
3.116666667
3.25
3.316666667
3.18333333
4.383333333
4.333333333
4.416666667
4.166666667
4.3
4.32

Double Coil
Trial

Rotation

1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average
1
2
3
4
5
Average

30
32
32
30
31
31
34
32
34
38
35
34.6
40
42
45
44
42
42.6
56
59
58
56
58
57.4
78
83
88
75
82
81.2

Time
(min.)
1.1
1.2
1.25
1.166666667
1.083333333
1.16
1.65
1.45
1.633333333
1.516666667
1.566666667
1.56333333
1.666666667
1.716666667
1.833333333
1.933333333
1.966666667
1.82333333
2.3
2.35
2.5
2.266666667
2.333333333
2.35
3.266666667
3.383333333
3.416666667
3.333333333
3.3
3.34

Page |7

Table 3. River velocity

Distance
Time
Velocity
Trial
ft.
Sec.
ft./sec
1
9
2.15
4.186046512
2
9
1.88
4.787234043
3
9
2.15
4.186046512
4
9
2.08
4.326923077
5
9
1.88
4.787234043
6
9
2.76
3.260869565
7
9
2.21
4.07239819
8
9
2.57
3.501945525
9
9
2.8
3.214285714
10
9
2.31
3.896103896
Average
4.021908708

Height
(ft.)
3

Table 4. Two Tailed Paired T-test Value

Flow Rate Double Coil
Flow Rate Single Coil
(L/min)
(L/min)
16.29310345
11.50101373

Difference
4.792089718

12.08955224

9.130434783

2.959117456

10.36563071

7.306701031

3.058929682

11

8.042553191

5.937172775

2.105380416

16

5.658682635

4.375
Mean of Differences ( )
Standard Deviation (Sd)
T-test value (T)

1.283682635
2.839839981
1.307149856
4.857955048

At different elevation that the pump delivered the water, different volumetric flow rate
were obtained. Volumetric flow rate is defined as the total volume of fluid that moves within a
defined space over a set period of time, and the formula is:
=
Q is the volumetric flow rate; V, volume; and t, time to fill the volume (Trimmer, 1994).
The t-test value obtained is 4.857955048. Using the table in Appendix A the critical value
of T-test at 5 percent level of probability with 4 degree of freedom is 4.604. Since the computed
T-value (4.857955048) is greater than of the critical value (4.6040), this means that the mean flow
rate at single and double coiled pump differs with each other (Tamil, 2012).
For the relation of output volumetric flow rate of a single and double coiled pump at a
varying height at the same velocity of river stream, Figure 4 shows that both single and double

Page |8

coiled pump has a lower output flow rate as the elevation increases, but double coiled pump has a
higher output flow rate as compared to a single coiled pump.

Figure 4. Elevation vs Volumetric Flow Rate

Single Coil

Volumetric Flow Rate (L/min)

18

Double Coil

16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0

12

15

18

Elevation (ft.)

CONCLUSION
The researchers had identified how single and double coiled sling pump differ from one
another, in terms of output flow rate at varying elevation at the same river velocity stream. It was
observed that double coiled pump has a greater output flow rate compared to single coiled pump.
Changing the height output also changes the quantity of water delivered. As the height increases,
the quantity of water delivered by both single and double coiled pump decreases. It took more time
to fill the 5 gallons container as the height is increased.
Based from the data gathered, the researchers found out that the output flow rate of single
coiled pump (15 coils) was almost three-fourths the output flow rate of double coiled pump (30
coils). This means that the 30 coils connected in parallel harnessed different amount of water.
From the statistical treatment made, there is a great discrepancy of output water that the pump
could deliver if it will be operated at different number of coils, this means that double coiled pump
has more and better quantity of output water that can deliver than operating at a single coiled pump.
RECOMMENDATION
In this study, the researchers had some difficulties regarding the coupling assembly used
to separate the rotation of pump to the outlet hose which caused for the researchers to conduct the
experiment twice. The researchers somehow find a way to build a better coupling assembly using
a PVC check valve (ball type) that has no leak but cant handle much pressure which affect the
maximum elevation that the modified sling pump can achieved. It is recommended to change and
develop more the improvised coupling assembly used, to achieve a higher elevation for the purpose
of improving the output of the pump.

Page |9

To prove the results of the study and validate the recognized areas of improvement, a more
comprehensive test and evaluation, due to the limitations of the experiment, it would be suggested
for future researchers to add the number of other factors such as having a more number of coils
inside the drum for a better output flow rate, different number of propeller blade, blade angle, size,
material and design, different type and diameter of water hose inside the pump to prevent bending,
using a wye fittings instead of tee fittings and a more accurate way to measure the output flow rate
since the researchers only used some improvised way of measuring the output flow rate such as
getting the time to fill in a 5 gallons container and computing its volumetric flow rate by using
formulas. For comparison purposes, identical studies can be done in other river velocity stream
and considering a more number of trials for more accuracy of data.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Above all, the researchers would like to offer their utmost gratitude to God, our Father for
His blessings, endless love and guidance. With His guidance, the researchers would not have
enough strength and courage to finish this study.
The researchers would also like to express their greatest gratitude to the following:
To the researchers families, especially to their parents, for giving them the motivation,
determination and financial support to finish the study.
To Kagawad Delber Abancce, for accommodating and letting us conduct our experiment
in a river located at Brgy. Asin Rd. Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.
Lastly, to the researchers adviser, Engr. Marcelino Lunag Jr., for the supervision,
suggestions and patience in doing the entire project with us.
REFERENCES
Tamil, Azmi Mohd. 2012. Student's T-test, Paired T-Test, ANOVA & Proportionate Test from
http://www.slideshare.net/drtamil/students-ttest-paired-ttest-anova-proportionate-test
Brown, Lance. British Columbia, Ministure of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Livestock
Watering Factsheed, 2005
Zhang, Joy Ying. 2006. Confidence interval and the Students t-test from http://projectile.sv.cmu.
edu/researcher/public/talks/t-test/htm
Laurentina Paler-Calmorin and Melchor A. Calmorin. 2007. Research Methods and Thesis Writing
2nd Edition, Rex Book Store, Inc., pp. 77, 120-122, 385
Natural Resources (NR) Management and Environment Department. 1998. Guidelines for quality
management in soil and plant laboratories from http://www.fao.org/docrep/w7
295e/w7295e08.htm
Rife Hydraulic Engine Mfg. Co. 1884. Rife River Pump from http://www.riferam.com/river/
Stockman. 2006. The Sockmans Guide to Range Livestock Watering from Surface Water Sources
Tailer, Peter, The Spiral Pump A High Lift, Slow Turning Pump, 1986.
Trimmer, W.L. 1994. Estimating Water Flow Rates. p 3

P a g e | 10

APPENDIX A
CRITICAL VALUES OF T

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Level of Significance for One-Tailed Test

0.025
Level of Significance for Two-Tailed Test
0.05
0.01
12.706
63.657
4.303
9.925
3.182
5.841
2.776
4.604
2.571
4.032
2.447
3.707
2.998
3.499
2.896
3.355
2.262
3.250
2.228
3.169
2.201
3.106
2.179
3.055
2.160
3.012
2.145
2.977
2.131
2.947
2.120
2.921
2.110
2.898
2.101
2.878
2.093
2.861
2.086
2.845
2.080
2.831
2.074
2.819
2.069
2.807
2.064
2.797
2.060
2.787

From: Table II of R.A. Fisher and F. Yates, Statistical Tables for Biological, Agricultural and
Medical Research published by Oliver & Boyd Ltd., Edinburgh, by permission of the authors and
publisher (Calmorin and Calmorin, 2007)

P a g e | 11

APPENDIX B
COMPUTATION OF DATA
Two-Tailed Paired T- Test Formula:

=
/
Computing for the difference of flow rate:
=

d1 = 16.29310345 11.50101373 = 4.792089718

d2 = 12.08955224 9.130434783 = 2.959117456
d3 = 10.36563071 7.306701031 = 3.058929682
d4 = 8.042553191 5.937172775 = 2.105380416
d5 = 5.658682635 4.375 = 1.283682635

Computing for the mean differences:

=
d=
=

4.792089718 + 2.959117456 + 3.058929682 + 2.105380416 + 1.283682635

5

Computing for the standard deviation of mean differences:

=

( )

Computing first for (d d) :

2
(4.792089718 2.839839981) = 3.811279028
2

(2.959117456 2.839839981) = 0.014227116

2

(3.058929682 2.839839981) = 0.048000297

2

(2.105380416 2.839839981) = 0.539430852

2

(1.283682635 2.839839981) = 2.421625687

Adding all the values of (d d) gives a total of 6.834562979

Then,

S =

6.834562979
= .
51

Thus,

T=

| 2.839839981|
1.307149856/5

= .

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APPENDIX C
CONSTRUCTED MODIFIED SLING PUMP
A) CONSTRUCTED MODIFIED SLING PUMP

B) MODIFIED COUPLING ASSEMBLY

The figure show several types of coupling assembly created.

Made of PVC check valve (ball type), no leak but cant handle high pressure.

Made of metal (bearing type), can handle high pressure but had leak.

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C) BY USING AUTOCAD APPLICATION, 3-DIMENTIONAL VIEW OF

CONSTRUCTED MODIFIED SLING PUMP. (25% OF THE DRUM BODY IS
REMOVED FOR BETTER VIEW/PRESENTATION).

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APPENDIX D
DOCUMENTATION

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