The basic elements of the Rope pump are an endless rope with conical pistons placed at intervals of 1 meter. The rope with pistons is pulled through a PVC raising main tube to lift the water to the surface.
The wheel and handle are made of galvanized tube. Spokes that clamp cut-out parts of a car tire, form a perfect pulley.
The pistons are made locally of rubber from cartires of high density polyethylene and fit with a small clearance in the rising main tube to avoid hydraulic losses. The rope with pistons turns around at the bottom of the well by means of a concrete guide blox with an internal ceramic or glass piece to reduce wear at this point.

Characteristics:


Advantages of Rope pumps compared to Piston pumps:

Technical advantages

Absence of dynamic forces (rotating movement). Pump tubes can be made of light weight, cheap PVC tubing (pressure = distance between 2 pistons). Small diameter PVC tubing because of high water velocity. A high total efficiency, 80 - 85% if well made. Technology without "black box" (easy to understand, produce and maintain).

Social, economic and gender aspects

The Rope pump requires regular maintenance but because of its simplicity and low cost the users can do the repairs themselves. No need for extensive training or manuals. Produced with local skills and materials. Supply of spare parts guaranteed (local production). Stimulates local industry generating work /income for small-scale enterprises. * Attractive as a household pump, because of its low cost. As a household/garden pump it generates income of US$ 220 per annum. ** A household pump improves situation of women and children. Safes work. Income generated by a pump benefits the women and is invested in utensils, children education etc. Men often have "different priorities". Facilitates activities such as hygiene education, water conservation, reforestation etc. Since the Rope pump is useful / generates income, its introduction can be combined with above mentioned activities. Self respect/ educational. People feel proud that they can manage and repair the pump which sometimes is the "most technical" product in the house.

Disadvantages of Rope pumps compared to Piston pumps

The Rope pump is not a "pressure pump" The maximum lift is determined by the height of the wheel axle, normally some 60 cm above the well cover. For higher lifts, an additional wheel is needed. Especially from deep wells, it takes some time before the Rope pump starts pumping. (When not in use, the water level in the pump falls back to the water level in the well).

For more information read the article bases on the book 'The Rope pump'