The Hydram in Principle The Blake Hydram is a water powered pump which uses only the energy contained in a flowing stream. The Hydram works continuously all day and every day. No fuel is used, thus there is neither cost nore pollution. The modern Hydram uses a very old principle of physics in a simple but effective way to move water from a stream or river to places where it is most needed. Where there is suitable clean water available, it can provide supplies to remote houses or communities, allow irrigation of inaccessible areas and maintain feed water for stock in areas at a distance from water sources. The working parts are limited to rubber valve discs and maintenance is simply a matter of ensuring waterways are clear and flowing freely. Click to enlarge When investigating the possibilities of a proposed Hydram site, a number of basic requirements must be examined. Most Important of thsee is that there must be a reliable continuous supply of water. Secondly, that a working fall or difference of levels not less than 1 metre (39 inches) can be obtained. It should not, however, exceed one-third of the vertical height to which the water is to be pumped, and proposals in which the working fall exceeds 15 metres (50 feet) should be referred to the Works. Finally, in order that waste water may drain away, the top of the Waste Valve of the Hydram must be higher than the level of the water into which it drains. Hydram Performance The performance of a Hydram is determined by the working fall down which the driving water has to travel, also by the vertical height to which the pumped water must be raised. These distances are as shown on the lower diagram, the horizontal distance over which the pumped water travels is taken into account, by selecting suitable pipe sizes, several miles are perfectly feasible. Perfromance figures for the Hydrams are provided. The first table lists the amount of water pumpted in 24 hours for a litre of water flwoing down teh drive pipe in a minute. Thus by knowing the working fall (metres) and the vertical height (metres) the output for 24 hours can be determined. E.g. with 6m fall and 20m vertical height, the Hydram will pass 282 litres of water in every 24 hours for every litre per min which flows into the Hydram. Thus if there is say 10 litres per minute flowing into the Hydram then 10 x 282=2820 litres per day will be pumped to a tank 20m above the Hydram. Alternatively if the total daily requirement of water is known and is, say, 20,000 litres per day, to find the amount of drive water required per minute it is necessary only to divide the total reuirement by the output of the Hydram per litre of driving water. E.g. 20,000 / 282=70 litres per minute of water flowing into the Hydram. Simililarly, using imperial measures, the table below can be used. Hydram Selection In the table set out below are listed the various sizes of Hydrams together with the volume of water per minute which each can accept. Using the previous example it was determined that to obtain 20,000 litres per day at a height of 20m above the Hydram, then 70 litres per minute would be needed when the fall on the input side was 6m. From the table it will be seen that the size 3 1/2 will accept the required drie water, and will allow for the volume on the input side to vary between 45 and 96 litres per minute. The lower limit indicates the minimum flow rate which the Hydram will accept during periods of drought, and at that throughput half the maximum amount of water would be pumped. Hydram Installation The provision of a complete Hydram installation requires a suitably prepared site to provide both water input to the ram and also the output side pipe runs. The information on this Web site details the basic Hydrams and their performance, further data sheets are available to expand on the information given. The diagram below illustrates the information which is needed to allow for quotations to be made and advice to be given, the measurements of length and fall can be in metres or feet, whereas the amount of water available at the feed tank needs to be measured in gallons or litres per minute. The total water needed to be pumped is best assessed in Litres or Gallons required in 24 hours. Should assistance be needed to obtain the various measurements, helpful information sheets are available. A simple application form is available to aid the collection of the required data. Back to Top