Design, Construction and Evaluation of a Multi-piston Pump

Abstract

The multi-piston pump, is a linear type of positive displacement pump, working on the principle of direct lift. The height to which the pump can directly lift the water is primarily controlled by factors that include the capacity of the operator, the clearance between the washers and the riser pipe and the speed of the washers. The materials for the construction of this pump can be obtained locally, even from the dump sites, hence its nickname “the pump from the dump”. It would not only serve as a means of lifting water easily, but will also improve the standard of living of the people. This pump could be an option for pumping water in relatively remote and deprived areas. This study highlights on the design, construction and evaluation of multi-piston pump. The pump went through vigorous design procedures and construction stages. The detailed working drawings of the pump were produced and constructions work carried out. Equations were established in order to know how the whole system behaves. It can be deduced from the study that pump discharge is influenced by piston diameter and the distance between the pistons. This pump can be used for small-irrigation schemes.

Keywords: Pump; Hand-dug wells; Pipes; Discharge; Velocity.