Development And Evaluation Of Double Pedal Operated Piston Pump

ABSTRACT

A piston pump was constructed on double cylinder and double pedal on a frame of LxWxH of 58x50x90cm. A Peugeot 504 cylinder was used which measured 88mm in diameter, while the pipe work was also done. The pump was tested for discharge rate, speed, maximum lift, discharge length, suction head and efficiency. The result obtained shows that the pump could discharge a maximum of 10.1 litrs per minute which is equivalent to 606litres per hour. It was observed that the discharge rate depends on effort applied by the operator and the depth of water from which it could draw water (suction head) .The pump pumped water at a speed of 62 strokes per minute and maximum suction head and delivery length is 2.lm and 5.8m and efficiency was 577. Based on the discharge rate and the depth it can draw water, it would be suitable to irrigate small fragmented land holdings especially it can draw water from shallow depth (up to im) to irrigate small plots like vegetables and seed beds with less physical effort.