Cooperation Unit - Timorese Academic Journal of Science & Technology

Abstract: Providing potable water to small villages in remote areas of Timor-Leste is urgently required. Hydraulic rams are the most suitable devices for such purposes: By inducing the water hammer phenomena, water can be elevated hundreds of meters using only the energy of the flow, without any other source of external energy.  The proposed system is very simple and easy to construct and maintain. In this study, an experimental unit is constructed under a proper design. Conditions of functioning are tested in the Hydraulics Laboratory of the Hydraulics, Water Resources and Environment Division of FEUP. An in-situ installation for a small village in Timor-Leste is also designed. It is concluded that the amount of elevated water depends on several factors related to the assembling and characteristics of the device.  Hydraulic rams may have a wide range of applications and have a potential to replace many of the traditional pumping systems.

      Keywords: hydraulic ram, water supply, water hammer