The pump test rig, a twelve meter high tower with on the bottom a water basin, is an installation used for testing various rope and piston pumps. The efficiency and wear and tear of pumps are some of the test parameters.

The piston pump test rig

The piston pump test rig consists of a motor controlled by a variable frequency drive, which is used to alter the pump stroke frequency. This is useful when comparing the efficiency of piston pumps for handpumps and wind pumps alike.

All the test data obtained by the pump test rig can be followed live on this page if any tests are performed.

The rope pump test rig

Driven by a different motor than the piston pump test rig, there is a rope pump installed at the top of the test rig. This means the rig can be used to pump water to a height of 12 meters. Both the water that would be collected by the user and the spillage flows back to the basin, each through their own pipe. Therefore, both outputs can be measured separately which provides valuable information about the efficiency and efficacy of the rope pump. Pumping speed and piston design are examples of important factors that play a role in this.

The hydraulic ram test rig

Another setup located on the test rig is for testing hydraulic rams. These devices can be attached to a pipe running from the ferro-cement tank located next to the Kijito windpump. The outlet is connected to a series of pipes and a pressure gauge, which allows the water to be pumped up to 12 meters to the top of the test rig. Intermittent valves provide the possibility to decrease the maximum pump height. The excess water flows into the basin below the test rig.