Non-Electric/Gas Water Pumping in Africa: Hydro Ram?

[bhoke81]

I am in Africa and need an non electric non gas water pumping application. I have design information and what I have been reading is that the pump needs to be lower than the drive pipe. I am trying to pump water up 12 vertical feet from a river. There is no bank and my land goes to up to the waters edge and drops 12ft. Will a hydro ram pump work? If not are there any other non gas no electric options.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Hayes]

Yes, the pump needs to be lower than the drive pipe. This is a good website covering the basics http://www.clemson.edu/irrig/equip/ram.htm

Not knowing the details of your site makes it difficult to provide a detailed answer. However, here is a clip showing a design that might fit your needs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCt-EHQQvs&feature=related

How wide is the river? If you can position a cable across the river, that could be used to position a number of paddle wheel water pump options. Also, here is a clip on the Archimedes screw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gq3Vm4vifU&NR=1

More detail on the situation would help.