CHAPTER 1

PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

1.1 Introduction

The hydraulic ram pump or hydram is a complete automatic device that uses the

energy in the flowing water such as spring, stream or river to pump part of the water to a

height above that of the source. With a continuous flow of water a hydram operates

continuously with no external energy source. A hydram is a structurally simple unit

consisting of two moving parts. These are the impulse valve (or waste valve) and the

delivery (check) valve. The unit also consists of an air chamber and an air valve. The

operation of a hydram is intermittent due to the cyclic opening and cloning of the waste

and delivery values. The closure of the waste valve creates a high pressure rise in the drive

pipe. An air chamber is required to transform the high intermittent pumped flows into a

continuous stream of flow. The air valves allow air into the hydram to replace the air

absorbed by the water due to the high pressure and mixing in the air chamber. Pumps are

among the oldest of the machines. They were used in ancient Egypt, China, India, Greece

and Rome. Today, pumps are the second most commonly used kind of industrial equipment

after the electric motors (Working, 1996). The first pumps were force pumps and it is

interesting that the earliest known example, a pump used by the Greeks in 300 B.C

incorporated an air vessel. The use of this device was suspended in the middle-ages and

revived in the 16th century when a German translation of the Greek work describing the

pump was published. The earliest pump to be used was the hand pump. More advanced

pumps were, however, known to the Romans, as shown by the double cylinder force pump
now preserved in the British museum, but their use was apparently lost in this century at

the end of the Roman Empire. In Roman times, the first reciprocating pump appeared (250-

0 BC) and this remained the main pump type in use for several centuries, operated by hand,

animal, water or wind power, mechanical skill developed, and metals came more into use,

but the limiting factor with all these older pumps was the relatively low power output which

is delivered by them. The highest power developed by wind miles or water wheel were of

the order of 10 horsepower. The reciprocating pumps, which relied on suction, could only

lift water slightly above 10 meters. The performance of known types of pumps continued

to be improved upon and their range of applications extended. One of such is the peristaltic

pump which was developed into a pump for handling slurries of high specific gravity on a

cost effective basis. Similarly, the Archimedean screw pump was developed into giant sizes

for lifting water to high elevations. It is reported that the first hydraulic ram pump was built

by Whitehurst (1775), which operated manually by the opening and closing of the

stopcock. This hydram was able to raise water to a height of 4.9 meters.

The hydraulic ram is a device (pump) that works without the use of electric energy

and fossil fuels and used for pumping water. The hydraulic ram pumps water using a

potential energy of the supply. The hydraulic ram was invented about 200 years ago and

used it to date, because it has simple system and inexpensive. Residents of rural to urban

migration issue from the early nineteenth century has been the lack of adequate water

supply for drinking, agriculture and animal husbandry, expand the use of the hydraulic ram,

especially in third world countries. The use of the ram pump is recommended for sparsely

populated rural areas and poor third world countries which the construction of water supply

systems is costly. The ram pump takes water from the source (the source has head) and
pumping to considerable height. The ram pump has two movable valve and an air chamber

and pumping water after intermittent cycles. The mechanism of the hydraulic ram pump is

shown in figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Components of Ram Pump

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Research done by students from Eastern Visayas State University aims to evaluate

the principle of a hydraulic ram pump. We are required to design a hydraulic ram pump

that will successfully elevate water against gravity above the height of its source without

using electricity.

1.3 Objectives

This study aims to do the following:

 To design, and fabricate a cost-efficient ram pump.

 Test the ram pump with different drive pipe diameter

 Determine the efficiency of the ram pump

1.4 Significance of the Study

The output of this study will give an insight about the performance and

effectiveness of a ram pump. Results that will be essential to the following:

RESEARCHERS: The researches themselves will benefit from the study. The study will

be a learning opportunity for the researchers where they would be able to apply the theories

and principles of fluid mechanics, fluid machinery, and other theories that are taught in

class discussions and in the real-world setting.

UNIVERSITY: The University can have this study for future references, or studies related

to ram pump.

COMMUNITY: The community, especially from the rural areas can, benefit from our

research. They can use our prototype to provide water for those areas that has water-

shortage.

1.5 Scope

 This study is focused on designing and creating a low cost hydraulic ram pump.

 The desired dimensions of the pipe are based on the previous studies of a hydraulic

ram pump

 The placement of the set-up focuses on where the water source has a high flow

velocity.

1.6 Limitations

 The ram pump can only deliver a certain amount of water at certain elevation since

we are making a low budget cost ram pump.

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Process Flow

Fig 3.1 below shows the process flow used for the design, fabrication, and testing

of a ram pump. This flowchart will serve as a guide for the researchers.

CONCEPTUALIZATION &
DESIGNING

PROCUREMENT OF
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

FABRICATION OF
PROTOTYPE

PERFORMANCE TESTING

RESULTS AND
DISCUSSIONS

CONCLUSION

Figure 3.1: Process Flow

3.2 Materials & Equipment

The researchers will gather the needed materials for the study. Each material will

be used for the design and performance of the mechanism. All materials and equipment are

based on the availability in the market.

3.2.1 Barrel Nipples

Galvanized barrel nipples is a fitting consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually

provided with a male pipe thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings. 1 inch

galvanized iron barrel nipples will be used as a fitting in our design.

Figure 3.2: Barrel Nipples

3.2.2 Pipe Tees

Galvanized iron pipe tees will be used to connect the other pipes that will be used

on the experiment.

Figure 3.3: Pipe Tees

3.2.3 Pipe Elbow

Pipe Elbow is used to join two pieces of pipe to achieve the desired design of the

ram pump. The required elbow that will be used on the design is 90 degrees. Pipe elbows

provide a change in flow direction.

Figure 3.4: Pipe Elbow

3.2.4 Brass Swing Check Valve

The brass swing check valve is used to prevent backflow of fluids, it will

automatically close when a fluid reverses direction. In our ram pump the swing check valve

will be installed vertically.

 Figure 3.5: Brass Swing Check Valve

3.2.5 Ball Valve

The ball valve is used for controlling flow of the fluid.

Figure 3.6: Ball Valve

3.2.6 Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge is needed to determine the pressure in the air chamber.

Measuring the pressure is an important part of the experiment. Obtaining accurate and

meaningful data is important in determining the quality and consistency of the ram pump.
 Figure 3.7: Pressure Gauge

3.2.7 Fire Extinguisher

The cylindrical tank of a fire extinguisher will be used as the air chamber of our

design.

Figure 3.8: Fire Extinguisher

3.3 Fabrication Mechanism

3.3.1 Design Parameters for the Ram Pump

First, we would need to determine the volume flow rate. Since a hydraulic ram

pump makes use of sudden stoppage of flow in a pipe to create a high pressure surge, the

volumetric discharge from the drive pipe is given by:

 𝑣𝑠
𝑄= Eq. 1
𝑡

where, Q = discharge flow through the pipe, vs = volume of water obtained from the supply,

and t = time allowed to flow.

After getting the discharge flow, the velocity of fluid flow in the driven pipe is

given by:

𝑄
𝑉𝑑 = Eq. 2
𝐴𝑑

where, Vd = velocity of fluid flow, and Ad = area of pipe.

In order to ascertain the nature of the flow (that is whether laminar or turbulent), it

was necessary to determine the Reynolds number given by:

𝑉𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = Eq. 3
υ

where, V = velocity of fluid flow, D = drive pipe diameter, and υ = kinematic viscosity.

The friction factor ƒ can be derived mathematically for laminar flow, but no simple

mathematical relation for the variation of ƒ with Reynolds number is available of turbulent

flow. Furthermore, Nikuradse et al. found that the relative roughness of the pipe (the ratio

of the size of the surface imperfection to the inside diameter of the pipe) affects the value

of ƒ too.

For smooth pipes Blasius suggested that for turbulent flow:

0.316
ƒ= Eq. 4
𝑅𝑒 0.25

where, f = frictional factor of the pipe, and Re is Reynolds number.

The Darcy-Wersbach formula is the basis of evaluating the loss in head for fluid

flow in pipes and conduits is given by:

 𝐿 𝑉2
𝐻𝐿 = ƒ ( ) Eq. 5
𝐷 2𝑔

where, g = acceleration due to gravity, L = length of the pipe, V= fluid velocity, and D =

drive pipe diameter

Because of the head (H) created, water accelerates in the drive pipe and leaves

through the waste valve. Eventually this flow will accelerates enough to begin to close the

waste valve this occurs. This acceleration is given by:

𝐿 𝑉2 𝑉2 𝐿 𝑑𝑣
𝐻 − ƒ ( ) − ∑ (𝐾 ) = ( ) Eq. 6
𝐷 2𝑔 2𝑔 𝐷 𝑑𝑡

dv
where, is the change in velocity with respect to time. The value of K can be found from
dt

standard reference textbooks.

After getting the acceleration of the flow, the force that accelerates the fluid can be

determined by using this equation:

𝑑𝑣
𝐹 = 𝜌𝐴𝑑 𝐿 ( ) Eq. 7
𝑑𝑡

where, ρ is the density of the fluid, Ad = area of pipe, and L = length of the pipe.

In this study, the researchers decided to calculate the power developed by the ram

pump. The power required can calculated using this expression:

𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄ℎ Eq. 8

In order to determine if the ram pump is effective on providing water the efficiency

is needed. The efficiency of the hydraulic ram pump is given by:

𝑄ℎ
𝜂= Eq. 9
(𝑄 + 𝑄𝑤 )𝐻
3.3.2 Fabrication of Ram Pump

1. Using SolidWorks software, the model was designed.

2. Using a schematic diagram, the set up was assembled using the parts listed in the

materials.

3. Each section was carefully wrapped with thread seal tape and screwed firmly

together using a pipe wrench and a bench vise. This aligns the assembly and secures

it such that water is prevented from leaking out of the system.

4. GI pipe parts were connected together. Two bike wheel interiors were placed inside

the air chamber to separate the water and the air.

3.3.3 Expected Output

Figure 3.9 shows the illustration of the expected output of the modeled Ram Pump.

This Computer-Aided model was designed using SolidWorks. The illustration shown is the

isometric view of the model.

Figure 3.9: Modelled Hydraulic Ram Pump

3.4 Testing Process

3.4.1 Site Location

Hydraulic Ram Pump needs a great water source, so the researchers decided to test

it at Anilao River, located at Brgy. Don Felipe Larrazabal in Ormoc City.

3.4.2 Ram Pump Settings

In our study the elevation of the ram pump is 5 meters, the fall of the drive pipe is

depending on the river. The discharge flow of the source can be obtained by using a

graduated cylinder to measure the volume, and a stopwatch to measure the time.