Water pumping devices
A handbook for users and choosers
The handbook is intended to provide a basis for comparing and choosing between all present and (near) future options for lifting irrigation water on small and medium sized landholdings. {summary
Background
Smallholdings in the range 0.25ha to about 25ha are most numerous in many of the developing countries, and extension of the use of irrigation in this small-farming sector could bring huge benefits in increased food production and improved economic well-being.

The handbook
The handbook surveys the water lifting technologies and power sources that are available and appropriate for smallholdings. It is a detailed and practical review of the options, especially for irrigation but also for other purposes. The costs and general suitability of the different technologies are examined with the aim of enabling the reader to make more informed choices.

What it covers
The handbook begins with an overview of the general principles of water lifting. The principles of small scale irrigation are also outlined.

The review of pumps and water lifting techniques includes short descriptions and diagrams of the following:

  • Reciprocating and cyclic lift devices
  • Rotary direct lift devices
  • Reciprocating displacement pumps
  • Rotary positive displacement pumps
  • Reciprocating inertia (joggle) pumps
  • Rotodynamic pumps
  • Air lift pumps
  • Impulse (water hammer) devices
  • Gravity devices
  The review of power options for pumping includes:
  • Human power
  • Animal power
  • Internal combustion engines
  • External combustion engines
  • Electrical power
  • Wind power
  • Solar power
  • Hydro power
  • Biomass and coal

The final section of the handbook is a discussion to further assist the reader's choice of pumping systems. The discussion takes into account financial and economic and practical considerations.

Contributors
IT Power Ltd. UK.

Intended users
The handbook is intended to provide both farmers and policy workers with the information to make informed choices on pump selection for irrigation.


Fraenkel, P, 1997. Water pumping devices: A handbook for users and choosers. ITDG publishing, London. ISBN 1 85339 346 0.

For a hard copy of the book contact:
ITDG publishing, 103/105 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4HL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7436 9761, Fax: +44 (0)20 7436 2013, Website: http://www.itdgpublishing.org.uk/