User:Timothyrfries/enes100/Project 2

Write problem/project Goal
To create a pump that will elevate water above the level of its source without the use of electricity.

My First Task
First tasks include: researching how a hydraulic ram works, methods of constructing a hydraulic ram, settling on scale and materials, and beginning construction.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
I solidified my understanding of how a ram works, and have a basic design concept to use in the construction of a small scale ram.

Week1 Narrative
10/15/12 - Met with the group, and researched what exactly a hydraulic ram is, and how other rams have been constructed. Here is a link of a larger scale model: Clemson University Hydraulic Ram.

10/17/12: Continued research with my group. Watched several videos demonstrating the form and function of hydraulic rams. Here is a link to a Youtube video of a smaller scale ram: Smaller Scale Ram. Here is a step-by-step series of videos that detail how to construct a larger scale ram: Larger Scale Ram. The first video shows a ram that is very close to the size that we will start with as a group, and we may have to go with one as large as his. The final dimensions will somewhat depend on what size swing check valves we can acquire at the hardware store. If the smallest that we can get are 1", then our set up will be almost identical to the one shown in the video. If we can get the 1/2" valves that I have found online through a local source, then we can start with most of the components being 1/2".  The second video shows a larger scale that the narrator actually uses to supply his house with water.  Being able to see the larger scale ram in operation cemented for me the way in which a ram functions.  After the smaller scale ram is complete, I would like to build one that is more along this scale.

10/21/12: Completed a basic design concept drawing for a 1/2" hydraulic ram. The project may need to be scaled up to 1" depending on what size swing check valves are available locally. If the project is scaled up to 1", there should be no problem, the only thing to keep in mind is that the delivery pipe needs to be 1/2 the size of the drive pipe and ram. The drive pipe is constructed of metal, as the source material that we found indicated that a metal drive pipe more efficiently carried the water hammer's shockwave, leading to better overall results.



My Second Task
I want to source the valves that we need, as well as the other parts. I would like to get a shopping list together, then see what is available in the work room. Whatever else is needed can be picked up from the hardware store. I would like to begin, and possibly complete, construction of the small scale ram this week.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
Still have not acquired all of the necessary components. Began assembly of a 1/2" drive pipe system, but this will be converted into components for a 1" system if the 1" swing check valve can be sourced.

Week2 Narrative
10/24/12: The team generated a decision matrix to determine what the best course of action was in regards to valve selection.

The following options were considered by the listed criteria, on a 1-5 points system, with 5 being ideal.

Continue with a 1/2" Valve: Time - 5, Cost - 4, Effective - 3, Labor - 5. TOTAL: 17

Source a 1" Valve: Time - 3, Cost - 4, Effective - 5, Labor - 4. TOTAL: 16

Construct the Waste Valve: Time - 2, Cost - 5, Effective - 3, Labor - 1: TOTAL: 11

After examining these criteria, the team decided to continue with construction of a system utilizing the 1/2" valve, but to continue to look for a 1" valve, due to efficacy concerns.

My Third task
Third week tasks include locating a 1" swing check valve, or barring that, completing a 1/2" system.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
After initial delays related to an inability to find needed valves, the week ended on a high note. The hydraulic ram is pretty much assembled, and will be ready for testing this week.

Week3 Narrative
10/28/12: Went to Lowes and Home Depot on route 40 to try and find a 1" swing check valve, but this was unsuccessful.

10/31/12: Called a local plumbing supply company, Schumacher & Seiler, and they had the 1" brass swing check valve and the PVC 1" non-return valve. They also had the 90 degree fitting for the brass valve. I went and picked up the valves, and the fittings for them. During class I started cutting off the needed pieces of 1" pipe to connect the various valves and fittings using a hacksaw.

11/2/12: I realized that I was missing the fittings to attach the ram to the delivery pipe and the hose from the water source to the drive pipe. Another trip to Schumacher and Seiler fixed that. It is really striking me how important it is to sort out a good supplier for projects like this. I have made a total of 8 trips to various hardware stores, three of which did not result in a purchase. Once I started going to the supplier that deals with professionals, all of the supply issues vanished. I brought the materials into the shop at school, and started assembling them. The ram is about 80% complete, I just need to get a 2"-2" coupler and a 1" stop valve.

11/4/12: Converted decision matrix into a graphical form and posted to team page

My Fourth task
This next week will be entirely devoted to testing. I am very curious to see what the rest of the team has come up with as far as a water source goes. Given the 1" diameter pipe, I am afraid that even a continuously filling system from the faucet in the shop room will not provide enough water to run the ram.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
This week went pretty much as planned. Extensive testing was performed on the ram, though the results were disappointing. It looks like we have some useful data to consider, and some possible solutions to the problems with the system.

Week4 Narrative
11/5/12: Stopped by Home Depot to pick up a 2"-2" coupling to connect the pressure tank to the 2"-1" bushing. Also picked up a 1" stop valve to prevent water flow into the ram from the drive pipe. Working on an updated materials list:


 * 1) 1/2", 1", and 2" PVC pipe from Home Depot


 * 1) PVC cement


 * 1) 1/2" and 1" ball stop valve from Home Depot ($2.52 and $5.15, respectively)


 * 1) 1" brass swing check valve from Schumacher & Seiler ($20.62)


 * 1) PVC swing check valve from Schumacher & Seiler ($17.58)


 * 1) Bike tire inter-tube (free from classmate)


 * 1) 1" PVC 90° bend from Schumacher & Seiler ($2.21)


 * 1) 2x 1"-1/2" and 1x 2"-1" PVC bushings from Schumacher & Seiler


 * 1) 2 1" PVC Tees


 * 1) 2"-2" and 1"-1" couplings


 * 1) Silicon sealant from Home Depot


 * 1) 5 gallon bucket

11/7/12: Testing continued on the ram. Results were inconclusive, the waste valve is still not operating independently.

11/9/12: The sealing job on the water source (5 gallon bucket) had completely fallen apart, so I re-sealed with silicon sealant. Unfortunately, the sealant takes 3 hours to set. We set up the ram in the shop, using the faucet as a water source. Results of testing were about the same as before. A snifter valve was cut below the non-return valve, and after this the water being pumped when the waste valve was manually operated increased dramatically.

11/11/12: Continued testing on the ram at home. First tests with an elevated water source, which was about 10 feet above the ram. Also the first test where a delivery pipe was actually run to a height above the ram. The waste valve is still not moving on its own, but when it is manually flapped, the rest of the pump is working as it should. Reviewed the source videos on Youtube, and I discovered that we had the waste valve in upside down. We had tested it before with the valve configured that way with no result, the water just flowed up straight through the open flap without closing it. I flipped the valve, but it still did not flap. When I manually pulled the valve up, it was closed with significant force behind it. I re-reviewed the source videos, and it turns out that the systems that they were demonstrating had a PVC non-return valve that worked differently from the one that we have in the system. It is the force of this non-return valve closing that drives the waste valve to close. I suspect that this "ball non-return valve" closes with more force than the one that we have resulting in more force against the brass swing check valve. If we proceed with this project for the next cycle, the first step would be to replace the existing valve with one of the ball non-return valves and see what kind of result can be generated. Shot and managed to upload a video to Wikimedia Commons, because Wikiversity has my Youtube mirror blacklisted. Also created group project Poster.







Complete Team Page
AT&T Hydraulic Ram