Afripump / Blue pump
The Volanta Pump is a reciprocating pump driven by a large flywheel for medium to very deep wells. It uses a retractable cylinder and a seal-less stainless steel piston. A crank and a connecting rod convert the rotary motion into a reciprocating action, which is transmitted to the plunger via stainless steel pump rods. The crankshaft and the flywheel run on ball bearings mounted on a plate that can be fixed to a steel or concrete pedestal. The cylinder is of glass fibre reinforced plastic with a close-fitting seal-less stainless steel plunger. The complete cylinder can be lifted from the well by the threaded pump rods, without removing the PVC-U rising main. The stroke is adjustable to reduce the effort needed at deep installations.
It is designed for heavy-duty use and the maximum recommended lift is 70 m.
The Volanta Pump is not in the public domain and information can be asked from the manufacturer. The Volanta Pump is fully corrosion resistant. It is rather difficult to install and it needs extensive masonry work. Maintenance is easy so that communities can care for the pumps.
Contents
Suitable conditions
Distribution: Mainly in West African countries.
Some users find it difficult to start the pump. Small children have to stay away from this pump, because the area of the rotating flywheel can be a dangerous playground.
| Piston nominal diameter: | 50.0 mm |
| Approx. discharge (75 watt input): |
at 20 m head: 1.0 m³/hour at 40 m head: 0.5 m³/hour |
| Pumping lift: | 10 - 80 m |
| Population served: | ~ 300 people |
| Households: | 30 - 50 hh |
| Water consumption: | 15 - 20 l/per capita |
| Type of well: | borehole |
Construction, operations and maintenance
Pump stand & flywheel are made of painted Mild Steel, the rising main consists of PVC-U pipes, the cylinder is made of glass fibre reinforced epoxy resin, plunger & the pump rods are of Stainless Steel and the valves of rubber. The pump is corrosion resistant.
The Volanta Pump is a protected product and is not intended for local manufacturing. However, there are countries where pumps are assembled and installed locally.
The installation of the Volanta Pump is rather difficult but does not need any lifting equipment. However, extensive masonry work is required and skilled installation crews are important.
This pump has a good “Community Management Potential”. Simple tools are needed to pull out the pumping element, including pump rod and foot valve. The seal-less piston means that no regular replacement of worn rubber seals is required.
Manuals, videos, and links
- Jansen Venneboer: Volanta Pump (in Dutch). Jansen-venneboer.com
- The Volanta Pump. Handpump.org
- Volanta pump. Practica Foundation
Acknowledgements
- Implementation • Handpump Technology Volanta. RWSN.
- The Afripump. Handpump.org
