June 2008 Archives

I'm all ready to go to Malawi to test my prototype solar powered rope pump. The Institute of Mechanical Engineers has given me a small grant towards my travel expenses, while SolarAid will be providing the materials. Upon arrival, I will visit PumpAid, which specialises in rope pumps, to get their feedback on rope pump technology and how to integrate it with a solar system. SolarAid met with PumpAid 18 months ago when we first started developing this project. We're also in touch with WaterAid to find out about their experience of what works and what doesn't.

Once in Malawi, I'll have to find a test site. It looks like Mzuzu University, where one of SolarAid's local trustees is Senior Lecturer in Renewable Energy, will be able to help. I'll then build the solar powered rope pump next to a well and test it for pumping water. So if you'd like to support me in my endeavours - as we still need some funds for the cost of the materials - please do donate to this project.

Thank you!
Cai

This is Cai Williams, an Engineering student who is volunteering for SolarAid.

For the technically minded among you, here is the original concept paper written by engineer Bobby Lambert last year when we started thinking about this rope pump project:

Solar Pumping Concept paper.doc

Bobby is a Chartered Engineer with 25 years professional experience. He has 12 years practical experience in rural development in Africa, including eight years of academic and field based research, mainly in Zimbabwe in the late 1980s. He served as Chief Executive of RedR-Engineers for Disaster Relief until August 2006. He's our expert advisor on this project.

This is very interesting. We just came across an academic article in the Journal of Water and Health that confirms our view that the rope-pump model is a great one. Read the following summary:

'The conventional handpump is the most popular technology choice for improved potable water supplies in rural sub-Saharan Africa. To date, however, it has failed to deliver satisfactory levels of sustainability, largely due to inadequate maintenance capacity. An alternative option to standardised imported handpumps is the locally manufactured rope-pump, which is considerably cheaper and easier to maintain but has been rejected in the past due to fears of impaired water quality.

'The findings of the study indicated that the rope-pump out-performed the conventional handpump on the majority of counts and that, contrary to widespread perceptions, there was no significant difference between pump types with respect to the impact on microbiological water quality. Consequently, the rope-pump provides a significant technological opportunity to improve water supply sustainability in Africa.'

This extract was taken from the 'The case for the rope-pump in Africa : A comparative performance analysis', Journal of Water and Health, 2006, vol. 4, no4, pp. 499-510, by Harvey and Drouin, published by IWA Publishing, London.