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What Is a Ram Pump?
Ram pumps are simple mechanical devices used to pump water uphill for irrigation or potable water distribution.
Here is a video demonstration:
How Does It Work?
They don’t use any electricity and, with only 2 moving parts, are easy to build and maintain. They use the momentum of a large amount of water running down a hill, to push a smaller amount of water uphill. For example, if there is a 10 ft fall, the ram pump can push about 10 percent of the water up 60 ft. The ram can pump water up to even 250 ft. Water flows through a valve in the pump and builds up speed. When the water reaches its highest speed, the valve slams shut, and the flowing water develops a great pressure. The high-pressure water forces a second valve to open and flows through a pressure tank up a delivery pipe. Our partner in Negros Philippines, The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), manufactures and installs ram pumps in rural communities.
Learn more about AIDFI's ram pump projects funded by Green Empowerment.
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