Performance of a hydraulic ram pump
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Date
2018-05
Authors
Chin, Han Chuan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
Hydraulic ram pump is a renewable energy device used to pump water using
potential energy of falling water based on water hammer effect. The changes in supply
head, delivery head and air vessel geometry of hydraulic ram pump will affect its
performance.
The effects of these factors on the pump performance were studied
experimentally. Several sets of experiments were conducted under supply heads of
1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m, delivery heads from 2.0m to 7.5m and air vessels with volume
of 0.515L, 1.030L, 1.544L, 2.059L and 2.574L.
The results showed that the increase in supply head improved the pump
performance whereas the increase in delivery head caused a decrease in the
performance. At supply head of 1.0m, hydraulic ram pump operated at volumetric
efficiency of 0.855% to 6.022% at delivery head of 2.0m to 5.5m and air vessel with
1.030L had the overall best performance. At supply head of 1.5m, hydraulic ram pump
operated at volumetric efficiency of 2.550 % to 5.925% at delivery head of 2.0m to
5.5m and air vessel with 1.544L had the overall best performance. At supply head of
2.0m, hydraulic ram pump operated at volumetric efficiency of 1.064% to 2.790% at
delivery head of 4.0m to 7.5m and air vessel with 1.544L had the overall best
performance. Besides, hydraulic ram pump with smaller air vessel performed better in
high delivery heads but bigger air vessel was required when the supply head increased.
The findings of this research also provide a guideline in developing a hydraulic ram
pump with better performance associated with its application.