hram:hydraulic_ram_pumps

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hram:hydraulic_ram_pumps [2025/12/10 10:19] – Dave Darbyhram:hydraulic_ram_pumps [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Hydraulic ram pumps+This topic is part of [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]] and [[gt:water|Water & sewage]]. 
 +====== Hydraulic ram pumps ======
  
  
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-## What are hydraulic ram pumps?+===== What are hydraulic ram pumps? =====
  
 Called ‘hydrams’ for short, hydraulic ram pumps are self-powered water pumps that can be used to pump water to higher ground for irrigation, watering livestock or human use. The power for pumping comes from the flow of water via gravity to the pump, and doesn’t require a generator, electricity or even wind. Hyrdrams can lift water to ten times the height of the fall to it from the source of water. They operate continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Called ‘hydrams’ for short, hydraulic ram pumps are self-powered water pumps that can be used to pump water to higher ground for irrigation, watering livestock or human use. The power for pumping comes from the flow of water via gravity to the pump, and doesn’t require a generator, electricity or even wind. Hyrdrams can lift water to ten times the height of the fall to it from the source of water. They operate continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
-### How do they work?+==== How do they work? ====
  
 Hydrams turn the potential energy in a head of water into kinetic energy, then re-convert it to potential energy again, in the form of pressure that pushes the water uphill. This is a diagram of a typical set-up. Hydrams turn the potential energy in a head of water into kinetic energy, then re-convert it to potential energy again, in the form of pressure that pushes the water uphill. This is a diagram of a typical set-up.
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 <caption> <caption>
-How a hydraulic ramp pump works+_How a hydraulic ramp pump works_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 Hydraulic ram pumps date back to the 18th century, with precursors developed in Britain, before one of the [Montgolfier brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgolfier_brothers) (of hot air balloon fame) invented the first true hydram in 1796. The original design hasn’t really changed very much at all. At around 60-80% efficiency, there’s not too much scope for improvement. Hydraulic ram pumps date back to the 18th century, with precursors developed in Britain, before one of the [Montgolfier brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgolfier_brothers) (of hot air balloon fame) invented the first true hydram in 1796. The original design hasn’t really changed very much at all. At around 60-80% efficiency, there’s not too much scope for improvement.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Watering livestock is a typical use-case for a hydraulic ram pump.+_Watering livestock is a typical use-case for a hydraulic ram pump._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of hydraulic ram pumps?+===== What are the benefits of hydraulic ram pumps? =====
  
 A hydram is an environmentally-sound solution for water pumping. The main benefit is that they don’t require a power source, therefore avoiding the pollution and carbon emissions associated with power generation. A hydram is an environmentally-sound solution for water pumping. The main benefit is that they don’t require a power source, therefore avoiding the pollution and carbon emissions associated with power generation.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Internal workings of the ram pump: Water flows down the drive pipe (from the right), and out of the waste valve (4), until a critical speed is reached, and the waste valve snaps shut, causing a pressure spike that directs the water into the air vessel, from where it’s pushed up the delivery pipe, until the speed of flow is reduced until the waste valve opens again and the cycle repeats. Image: [W Bryan Smith, Clemson University](https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/homemade-hydraulic-ram-pump-for-livestock-water/).+_Internal workings of the ram pump: Water flows down the drive pipe (from the right), and out of the waste valve (4), until a critical speed is reached, and the waste valve snaps shut, causing a pressure spike that directs the water into the air vessel, from where it’s pushed up the delivery pipe, until the speed of flow is reduced until the waste valve opens again and the cycle repeats. Image: [W Bryan Smith, Clemson University](https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/homemade-hydraulic-ram-pump-for-livestock-water/)._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 First make sure your site conditions suit a hydram. There has to be a fall from the originial water source, and a way to get the excess water back into the water course. So a steep hill stream is good, and on lower ground, maybe a waterfall or a bend in a river, with a fall to either the same water course or a different one. In some cases, the hydram can be located in a pit to allow an adequate fall, although excess water must be allowed to drain back to the source at a lower level somehow. The minimum fall from the top of the feed well down to the waste pipe from the pump is 1.1 metres. Water can be delivered to much greater heights than the fall to the pump. First make sure your site conditions suit a hydram. There has to be a fall from the originial water source, and a way to get the excess water back into the water course. So a steep hill stream is good, and on lower ground, maybe a waterfall or a bend in a river, with a fall to either the same water course or a different one. In some cases, the hydram can be located in a pit to allow an adequate fall, although excess water must be allowed to drain back to the source at a lower level somehow. The minimum fall from the top of the feed well down to the waste pipe from the pump is 1.1 metres. Water can be delivered to much greater heights than the fall to the pump.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Use a little home-made hydram to raise water to an abandoned greenhosue, rather than having to carry buckers of water up from the local stream.+_Use a little home-made hydram to raise water to an abandoned greenhosue, rather than having to carry buckers of water up from the local stream._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Range of cast iron, manufactured hydraulic ram pumps.     Image: [Blake’s Hydram](https://blakeshydram.co.uk/)+_Range of cast iron, manufactured hydraulic ram pumps.     Image: [Blake’s Hydram](https://blakeshydram.co.uk/)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
-### Installation+==== Installation ====
  
 See the diagram above. You’ll need concrete pads for the feed well (which could be a concrete-lined pit or a large plastic barrel) and to bolt the pump to. The feed well can be at a distance from the source, and needs a roof to keep out debris (the pump itself doesn’t necessarily need a cover). See the diagram above. You’ll need concrete pads for the feed well (which could be a concrete-lined pit or a large plastic barrel) and to bolt the pump to. The feed well can be at a distance from the source, and needs a roof to keep out debris (the pump itself doesn’t necessarily need a cover).
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 <caption> <caption>
-PVC drive pipe running down a stream to a hydram. Galvanized steel is a more robust material for a drive pipe, but isn’t always possible if there are twists and turns in the journey to the pump.+_PVC drive pipe running down a stream to a hydram. Galvanized steel is a more robust material for a drive pipe, but isn’t always possible if there are twists and turns in the journey to the pump._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Build your own+==== Build your own ====
  
 You can build your own hydram, although you’re not going to get near the efficiency of a manufactured pump, and won’t last anywhere near as long. But they’re cheap and easy to build, and you can check that a hydram works well in your location before investing in a manufactured pump. You can build your own hydram, although you’re not going to get near the efficiency of a manufactured pump, and won’t last anywhere near as long. But they’re cheap and easy to build, and you can check that a hydram works well in your location before investing in a manufactured pump.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Home-made hydraulic ram pump (flow is right to left).     Image: [W Bryan Smith, Clemson University](https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/homemade-hydraulic-ram-pump-for-livestock-water/).+_Home-made hydraulic ram pump (flow is right to left).     Image: [W Bryan Smith, Clemson University](https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/homemade-hydraulic-ram-pump-for-livestock-water/)._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Maintenance+==== Maintenance ====
  
 You’ll need to change some fittings, such as the rubber valves, maybe every couple of years. One or two other fittings may need to be replaced every 10 years or so. It’s not arduous. Easy to take apart – no specialist skills needed. You’ll need to change some fittings, such as the rubber valves, maybe every couple of years. One or two other fittings may need to be replaced every 10 years or so. It’s not arduous. Easy to take apart – no specialist skills needed.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/gardening). 
 + 
 +It is also in the section [[gt:water|Water & sewage]] (Forum: [Water & sewage](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/water)). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Appropedia](https://www.appropedia.org/Hydraulic_Ram_pump) - hydraulic ram pump - [Appropedia](https://www.appropedia.org/Hydraulic_Ram_pump) - hydraulic ram pump
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 - [Journey to Forever](https://www.journeytoforever.org/at_waterpump.html) - water-powered water pumps - [Journey to Forever](https://www.journeytoforever.org/at_waterpump.html) - water-powered water pumps
 - [Homemade hydraulic ram pump](http://www.judyofthewoods.net/diy/ram_pump.html) - [Homemade hydraulic ram pump](http://www.judyofthewoods.net/diy/ram_pump.html)
 +
 +
 +===== Related topics =====
 +
 +- [[livs:livestock|Keeping livestock]]
 +- [[plum:Plumbing]]
 +- [[wipm:Wind pumps]]
 +- [[watr:water|Low-impact water supply]]
 +
  
  
  
-## Specialists+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • hram/hydraulic_ram_pumps.1765361970.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/10 10:19
  • by Dave Darby