Priya Aggarwal, Juan Guzman, Joshua Levi Ringquist
Abstract
The ram pump used at AguaClara plants uses gravity and hydraulic principles to operate. The surge in pressure of the water due to the closing of the waste valve is used in the ram pump to lift water to a higher elevation. The ram pump is placed below the water treatment plant and it is used to drive the water to the chemical stock tanks and the restrooms located above the plant. Ram pump design parameters, specifically spring components, check valve type, and air chamber size, were tested to determine their effects on ram pump efficiency. Additionally, the pump needed to be reassembled this semester. The team has changed the design to make it more portable to avoid needing to rebuild the pump if it must be moved again. It is much easier to test different parts of the pump when leaks occur or if a part does not work as it is supposed to with the new setup. The team also tested air chambers and different spring lengths this semester.
