Practica Motorized Rope Pump

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$645.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product was field-tested and distributed by Practica Foundation.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Pumpmakers DIY Solar Pump, iDE Treadle Pump, and iDE Rope Pump.

Regions

Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa

Manufacturing/Building Method

Practica has published a manual on how to install and maintain a non-motorized rope pump, which can be adapted for the motorized version with the addition of an engine. The rope pump can be built locally using repurposed or purchased materials, including rope, pistons, a wheel, belt, pulley, and 1-2 HP engine. The fuel added is also important, depending on the type of engine, as poor-quality refining may cause engine fouling.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Locally constructed with available materials and purchase of an appropriate motor

Distributions to Date Status

Approximately 300 motorized rope pumps have been installed in Nicaragua since 1995 by Practica, IRC WASH, and others. 30 motorized rope pumps underwent testing and were distributed by Enterprise works in Senegal and Burkina Faso in 2004.

Design Specifications

The pump wheel can be repurposed from a 14 inch car or bicycle tire or manufactured. The rising main is made from PVC and can be cut to the appropriate depth of the well. Rope made of Polypropylene (PP) doesn’t slip and doesn’t stretch as much as nylon. Natural fibers will not work as they will rot from being wet. The rope diameter should be 4-6 mm. The pistons are strung on the rope and placed between two knots, which are roughly 8 cm apart. The distance between two pistons is 1 meter (not closer, because more pistons on the rope will create slipping of the pistons on the wheel). The pistons should be extruded cones of polyethylene plastic, shown below on the rope.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

PRACTICA can assist local manufacturers with starting up production. For training of manufactures, PRACTICA has developed an installation and maintenance manual, maintenance sheet and construction drawings, spare parts, etc.

Replacement Components

The manual specifies that rope and pistons should be checked weekly and replaced when worn or broken. The rope will usually last 6-12 months. When a well contains fine sand, the sand will wear out the pistons. When you notice a reduction of the output (less water, the pistons are leaking) you have to change the pistons. Pistons usually last for 2 years on average. The engine needs to be oiled and maintained weekly. If fuel is dirty or impure it will lead to fouling, so the fuel can be filtered first for prevention. The axle and bearings on the handle can also break and must be replaced. The riser pipe can also be bent too far and break. All parts are easily replaceable locally.

Lifecycle

With regular engine maintenance and replacement of worn-out pump parts, the Practica motorized rope pump should last 10 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To reach supply water effectively from deeper well depths than a hand-cranked rope pump can.
Range of depth: 7 – 60 m
Yield: 120 Litres/min at 10 m, 60 Litres/min at 20 m, 20 Litres/min at 60 m
Fuel consumption: 0.4 litres/hour, depending on model and engine

Vetted Performance Status

Pilot testing in Nicaragua, Senegal, and Burkina Faso was undertaken by the implementing NGOs, there is no outside vetted performance.

Safety

Loud noise from the engine and pinched fingers in the pump wheel may be a safety concern. The pump perimeter should be secured and kept dry and sanitary.

Complementary Technical Systems

Safe water storage container.  As in the case of the hand rope pump, the basic model of the motorized pump cannot pump higher than just below the pump shaft, which makes the pump most suitable for low pressure irrigation. To pump to tanks of 3 to 5 m high, an additional post must be added.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

None

Evaluation methods

Stepped interval pump testing.

Other Information

None