RAM PUMPS

Some of you have asked about a water supply problem: a moving stream or spring at the same elevation or lower than the house (or garden), and how to get that water to a higher elevation without carrying it or using a hand pump. The answer is found in a Hydro-Ram pump. 

A ram pump requires water to operate the pump (Not electricity!), so a drop or "head" is mandatory to make the pump work. The ram pump then uses the energy generated by the weight of the water to continuously pump a fraction of it uphill -- up to 10 times the "head" or fall feeding the pump. When the ramp pump's poppet valve (the only moving part) is open, water flows downhill through the supply pipe to the pump and escapes out the open valve. That is waste water, and is utilized to generate the kinetic energy required to pump some of the water up the delivery pipe. As the water gains velocity in the supply, or drive pipe, it causes the poppet to snap shut, which causes hydraulic pressure to peak immediately (a "water hammer" effect), which forces some water through a check valve, and into the delivery pipe. This cycle repeats itself about once a second. 

For those who have a mountain stream which could provide water to a cabin at a higher elevation, it is possible to add a reverse osmosis water purifier to the ram pump, so creek water can be delivered to a holding tank in pure condition.

The ideal situation is to use a ram pump in combination with a large storage tank situated at least 30 feet higher than the home. As the ram pump operates continuously, a smaller ram pump can fill a storage tank that can be drawn down during the day, for example. And assuming a pressure factor of 0.54 per foot of drop, or more realistically 0.50 with line loss (friction), an elevation of 30 feet would deliver water to the ground at 15 PSI. That is certainly good enough to deliver water in quantity for most uses. 

Ram pumps have been around for a least a century. The older, bell shaped ram pumps manufactured by Skookum were made of cast steel -- and lasted forever. They also cost a small fortune. Now there is an alternative, made from PVC, which will handle falls of 15 feet and lifts to 150 feet reliably. And, they are relatively inexpensive. If the fall is over 15 feet and the lift required is over 150 feet, then a more expensive steel ram pump is indicated.

The installation of a ram pump is not overly complicated, but it does require some study. You have to know how far downhill you will have to "pipe" the water before you get a sufficient "drop" or "fall" to operate the pump, how high and how far the water needs to be pumped, and how much water will be needed per 24 hour period. Once those basic factors are determined, you will then need to study the catalogue from Fleming Hydro-Ram Pumps very carefully to choose exactly which size pump will work for your individual situation.


For more information on ram pumps, contact

Fleming Hydro-Ram Pumps
PO Box 698
Amherst, VA 24521
Phone: 804-277-8511

 

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