The performance of a new positive displacement pump targeted to improve rural water supplies

Abstract

A new positive displacement pump operating with a simple linear actuator as the prime mover has been designed, built, and evaluated. The aim is to develop a pump that uses a photovoltaic (pv) power source and is suited to supplying water in rural areas of low-income countries. Previous schemes to raise water from boreholes with a pv power source have used sophisticated technology, which can be a significant step beyond the previous experience of the communities being served. A configuration of linear actuator and pump has been chosen by seeking the simplest mechanism from the point of view of both operation and manufacture. Finite-element analysis of the electromagnetic properties of the actuator is shown to be the best way to proceed in the design process. A very simple design with an actuator operating in a normal force configuration is shown to function effectively.