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Windpumps
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FOR ULTRA-DEEP WELLS - 60 to 100 metres |
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SUMMARY
| The Poldaw ultra-deepwell
handpump has been developed in response to the need for pumping from
depths of 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 metres), in various countries.
Existing designs such as Afridev, Volanta and others are generally
suitable for heads of up to 50 metres. Several of these designs have been adapted
for very deep well applications of 60+ metres, but Poldaw Designs believed that a
clean-sheet design approach would yield a handpump which is optimised
for these depths. This should optimise pumping efficiency, cost and reliability.
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| The Poldaw design not only
achieves this aim, but it also represents an significant advance in
maintainability, repairability, and hence sustainability. All the
parts which are expected to wear out (piston seals, handle pivot
bearings etc.) can be replaced using locally available materials and
local skills. No special tools are required, and the pump can be
installed by hand without lifting gear. Other non-wearing parts
are also easily manufactured, using a lathe in a typical small
workshop, allowing local manufacture and repair.
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| The Poldaw handpump is
designed to retrofit onto the base pedestal of an Afridev or India
Mk2/3. Also, the down-well parts can be adapted to fit the Volanta
flywheel/crank mechanism if desired. (The Volanta mechanism is
relatively expensive, but does have some efficiency advantages).
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| The design concept was
finalised circa 2004 and was then extensively tested using a test rig at
Reading University. Currently (2008) a pilot programme of using a
number of these pumps in 3 African countries is being undertaken by
Water Aid. The eventual intention is to release the design into
the public domain, and to help set up manufacture in each country where
this pump is needed.
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| For more information, please contact Poldaw Designs - see contacts page. |
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