Automatic Hydraulic Ram Pump (ITDG Design)¶

Pumps & Lifting • Est. CapEx: Low-cost / Locally fabricated

Technical Overview¶

A field-oriented manual for designing and constructing a simple hydraulic ram pump from standard pipe fittings, aimed at rural water supply in developing countries. The pump lifts water without external energy, suitable for villages with a steady spring or stream.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	Pumps & Lifting
Capital Cost	Low-cost / Locally fabricated
Primary Mechanism	The ram pump uses the kinetic energy of flowing water to create a cyclic water hammer. An impulse valve opens to let water flow, then closes rapidly when velocity builds, forcing water through a delivery valve into an air chamber. The pressurized air expels water through the delivery pipe, and the cycle repeats automatically.
Target Scale	Household / Village Cluster
Standard Lifespan	10 - 20 Years

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

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