What is a Hydraulic Ram Pump?
A hydraulic ram is a simple pump (with only two moving parts) powered solely by falling water. Water from a stream or spring is diverted through a canal or pipe (called the supply or feed pipe) ,accumulated in a small tank (called the drive tank) and dropped through a metal pipe (called the drive pipe) down to the ram. The power of the falling water is used to pump a small portion of this water, the remainder coming out of the ram and going back to the downstream portion of the source. In general, the more water you drop and the higher you let it fall, the more power there will be resulting to more volume pumped and the higher the elevation to which this water can be pumped.
ET-2 Hydraulic Ram in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Philippines
This is a nice "every-element-shown" photo of a hydraulic ram pump set up. This is owned by Ed Mayor and located in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island in the province of Romblon, the Philippines. Ed ordered an 2-inch (ET-2) hydram from me and installed it himself. His source is a river with an existing irrigation dam by the NIA (National Irrigation Administration). The orange 4-inch PVC pipe at the right of the photo is attached to the wooden gate of the dam, then goes to the blue PVC drum (220-li cap.) which serves as the drive tank. From the drive tank, it only needed one length of 2-inch g.i. pipe down to the hydram. Drive head is 1.84 meters, delivery head is 17.6 meters, and output is 9,100 liters per day.
Sariaya, Quezon Province
A 4-inch hydraulic ram pump (ET-4) I installed in Brgy. Pili, Sariaya, Quezon Province, Philippines on December 17, 2008, with a lifting capacity of 50,000 liters per day.
Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
Technology transfer training for the People's Eco-tourism and Livelihood (PETAL) Foundation, led by their Executive Director Ramon A. Acaac, October 21-22, 2008.
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Technology transfer training for the 52nd Engineering Brigade, Phil. Army, Monolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Murcia, Negros Occidental
An ET-1 hydram now lifts water to Atty. Rolando VIllamor's farm, 60 meters above where we are shown in the photo. February 8, 2008.
Tacloban City, Leyte
Technology transfer training for the Provincial Government of Leyte, attended by farmers and staff of the Provincial Agriculturist's office. At center (in pink shirt) is Provincial Administrator Vince Emnas.
Sipalay, Negros Occidental
Technology transfer training for the Binhi sang Kauswagan Foundation.
El Nido, Palawan
Technology transfer training for El Nido Foundation, Inc., May 4, 2006 El Nido, Palawan. The ENFI was my very first client when I started designing and making hydraulic ram pumps, so this photo with farmers in a remote mountain farm is a treasue. This area, and in general this part of Palawan (northwestern tip) supports luxurious growth of a bamboo species locally called "buho." Smallish like fishing poles, and indeed they made good ones, they proliferate like grass, which they are. A bamboo forest like this reminds one of a fight scene in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon between Chow Yun Fat and Zhang Ziyi, atop the canopy of swirling bamboos.
