Handpumps use human power to lift water to the surface from a borehole, rainwater tank or well. They are used primarily in developing nations and in remote areas where other sources of power are unavailable or undependable. There are many different types of handpump available, but most use the principle of a reciprocating piston and two check valves.
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Suction Handpumps
Suction pumps are limited by atmospheric pressure to an operating depth of <7m. These pumps are very easy to maintain by the community as all moving parts are above ground. Suction pumps often need to be primed with water, which can lead to contamination.
Direct Action Handpumps
Direct action handpumps have a pumping rod that is moved up and down, directly by the user, discharging water. Direct action handpumps are easy to install and maintain but are limited to the maximum column of water a person can physically lift of up to 15m.
Deep Well Handpumps
Deep well handpumps are used for high lifts of >15m. The weight of the column of water is too great to be lifted directly and some form of mechanical advantage system such as a level or flywheel is used. High lift pumps need to be stronger and sturdier to cope with the extra stresses. The installation, maintenance and repair of deep well handpumps is more complicated than with other handpumps.
A deep well handpump theoretically has no limit to which it can extract water. In practice, the depth is limited the physical power a human being can exert in lifting the column of water, which is around 80m.
Diaphragm Handpumps
Diaphragm pumps have the advantage that they are easy to install and are corrosion resistant. Their disadvantage is that they need high quality rubber diaphragms, which are costly and are relatively inefficient due to the extra work needed to deform the diaphragm.
Progressive Cavity Handpumps
Progressive cavity pumps consist of a single helix rotor inserted into a double helix stator. As the rotor is turned, the voids in the stator are screwed upwards along the axis of rotation. Progressive cavity pumps can have complicated gearing mechanisms and are difficult for local pump technicians to maintain and repair.
A rope and washer pump is a type of progressive cavity handpump.
Handpump Selection
Handpumps should be selected based on number of users, pumping depth, ground water conditions (corrosion), and country standards.
Standardization of handpumps at a country level helps bring about familiarity, availability of spare parts, and trained mechanics.
Gallery
 A child drawing water from a handpump. |
 The sole water supply of this section of Wilder, Tennessee, 1942. |
 The covered Village Pump in Thorpe Abbots, Norfolk, England |
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See Also
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
- Info on sustainable handpumps.
- Knowledge network for rural handpump technologies.
- Handpump technical documents for NGOs.
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