How to develop a RAM Pump with a 300m delivery head?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of developing a RAM pump capable of delivering water to a height of 300 meters (984 feet). Participants explore the technical requirements, materials, and potential costs associated with such a project, including considerations for home-made versus commercially available solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the possibility of configuring a RAM pump for a 300m delivery head, sharing their experience with a 35m delivery head and a request from a family friend for a higher capacity.
  • Another participant notes that achieving 300 meters would require strong materials and good seals, suggesting that the high price of commercial options reflects these needs.
  • It is mentioned that the additional 50 meters of lift would increase discharge pressure significantly, prompting a question about the necessity of such high usable pressure.
  • A participant suggests that staging RAM pumps could be a viable approach, allowing for the use of cheaper materials by breaking the lift into stages, although this would require additional pumps and staging tanks, potentially increasing overall costs.
  • Concerns are raised about the ambition of reaching a 300m target, with one participant sharing their success with an 80m usable head from a basic single-stage pump.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and practicality of achieving a 300m delivery head with a RAM pump. While some acknowledge the technical challenges and costs involved, others propose alternative methods such as staging to potentially lower costs.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for strong materials and good seals due to the high pressures involved, and there is uncertainty regarding the exact flow rate and conditions of the water source, which may affect the pump's performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY water pumping solutions, engineers exploring RAM pump designs, and those considering high-lift water delivery systems may find this discussion relevant.

P. Akpata
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Hey there,

I was just wondering if its actually possible to configure a RAM Pump to deliver up to a height of 300m (984 ft)

I've made a ram that has a delivery head of 35m (115ft) for personal use; however a family friend wants me to set up a RAM for them that goes up to 250m and delivers usable pressure (hence I rounded up to 300m).

I have checked online and found that Green and Carter do RAMs with 300m + delivery head, but the asking price is 5000 GBP and up. Which needless to say is way out of my friends price range.

So can it be done using galvanized parts as a "home-made' project so to speak?

To give some further background information.

- I have scouted the pump area and I expect to be able to get between a 6m and 10m drop for the drive pipe.

- The drive pipe, swing check valve, and spring check valve will be either 2" or 3" galvanized steel.

- The source water will be a raised canal running from a sizable river (previously the canal fed a mill in a citrus, lime, crushing plant). I need to clean out the canal first before I can accurately measure the flow rate, but right now I estimate that I can get at least a 60gpm flow rate.

Thank you very much for your responses.
 
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300 meters gives you a discharge pressure of around 430 psi, local internal pressures are probably a bit higher. That means you need strong materials, good seals, etc. hence the price. For what it's worth, 5000 bucks for 300 meters of lift is pretty darn good.

Also, that extra 50 meters of lift provides around 70 psi, are you sure you need that much usable pressure?
 
5000 GBP is roughly US $7500.00
 
Still a decent price for a pump with 300 m of head...
 
Staging ram pumps works well. You can use far cheaper materials if you break the lift into stages. But you need more pumps and a few staging tanks which pushes costs up. I got 80m of usable head from a basic single stage pump.
The target of 300m is very ambitious.
 

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