Rope/elephant pump
For wells down to 35 m, rope pumps are often 5 times cheaper and more Rotating movement (constant force 5-10 Kg.m) sustainable than piston pumps. Evaluations show that rope pumps on communal wells are being maintained by the users, if introduced properly. 90% Of rope pumps remain operational, even after many years. Continous water flow Because of its low cost, the pump is also popular for domestic use. (1-2 m/s) A survey among 5,025 rural families in Nicaragua indicates that a Schematic PVC pump tubes drawing of a rope pump increases income, even if used for domestic purposes (5-10 Kg) rope pump only. Families with a pump earn US$ 220 per year more than Low pressure in all parts families without a pump. In Nicaragua the pumps are now being (0, Kg/cm) produced commercially by 20 workshops. Few, non-corroDifferent models of Rope pumps were introduced in Africa.This sive pump parts introduction has not always been successful: in some projects over 80% of the pumps do NOT work! However, with the "right" models and the "right" user training, also 90 % remain in operation in Africa, as the Victory model in Ghana and the Elephant model in Zimbabwe have proved. (PE pistons, rope, concrete guide block)
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| The design reduces the need to handle fresh faecal material. Shallow depth of pit required. |
No full recovery of nutrients. Space required. |
Contents
Capacity
- Small / medium sized family - Capacity: about 0.5-0.75 m³ - Filling time: 6-12 months
- Family with 10 users - Capacity: about 1 m³ - Filling time: 6 months
Costs
- Construction of total system, including material and labour - About US$ 20 - 30 (Mozambique).
Applying conditions
- Numbers: 50,000 in Nicaragua, 20,000 in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanaznia, Senegal.
- Yield: 40 litres/min from 10 m depth.
- Range of depth: 1-35 meter (60 m with two cranks).
- Application Communal wells, houshold, irrigation.
- Initial cost: US$ 20-120 depending on model.
- Cost of introduction: US$ 10,000-20,000 per project, including 20 pumps, engineering and hands-on training. US$ 60,000-100,000 per project, including 1,000 pumps, production workshop and hands-on training.
External links
- Evaluations www.irc.nl
- Africa www.pumpaid.org
- General info www.ropepump.com www.ropepumps.org