Vergnet Hydro

From Akvopedia
Revision as of 16:55, 14 March 2013 by Sean-rwsn (talk | contribs) (Acknowledgements)

Jump to: navigation, search
This pump is operated by foot pedal while the handle is held for balance. Photo: RWSN.

The Hydropump HPV60 & HPV 100 are operated by foot with a pedal. The piston movement is hydraulically transmitted via a flexible hose to a rubber diaphragm down in the pumping element. The expansion and the contraction of the diaphragm deliver the water to the surface. The top cylinder is connected to the pumping element on the bottom, via a flexible hose.

It is designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of 300 persons. The maximum recommended lift is 60 m. The Vergnet pumps are fully corrosion resistant and installation of the pump is easy. Maintenance requirements are simple; above ground components allow interventions by the village caretaker, but below ground components are difficult to repair.

The Hydropump is not in the public domain. For specific information, it is necessary to contact the manufacturer.

Suitable conditions

Distribution: More than 100,000 pumps, mainly in West Africa. Supplier: Vergnet SA, France.

Construction, operations and maintenance

Pump stand is made of galvanized steel painted, foot pedal of mild steel, pipes of flexible LDPE hose, top and bottom cylinder of stainless steel, pumping element of a rubber diaphragm and valves of brass. This pump is corrosion resistant.

The installation of the Hydropump is very simple and does not need any lifting equipment. This pump has a good “Community Management Potential”. The above ground components allow interventions by the village caretaker, but below ground components are difficult to repair. The diaphragm requires frequent cleaning.

The Hydropump HPV60/100 is a protected product and is not intended for local manufacturing. Only the steel parts of the pump stand would have a potential for local manufacturing.

The replacement of a diaphragm is expensive. The pump requires a considerable effort to operate. Although full body weight can be applied to the pedal, children and small users find it sometimes hard to operate the pump. If the yield of the borehole allows and the water demand is high, 2 pumps in one borehole can be installed.

Acknowledgements