Ram Pumps in Commercial Buildings for Drainage

[IBechir]

Greetings

I saw this video about ram pumps and it seems like a very good idea to apply to a drainage sump pit in a commercial building.
video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfgnvyLiboU

However, I have never seen such an installation. I only have experience with centrifugal submersible pumps. Is there a reason why ram pumps are not used in commercial building's drainage? Can anyone share his/her experience for a ram pump installation in a commercial building?

Thank you

 

[micalbrch]

It works with compressed air which means that the energy consumption can be pretty high. It can only work up to the max. available compressed air pressure. I do not know how much such a pump is but as long as are no big solids in the water I do not believe that it has an advantage over submersible centrifugals.

 

[bimr]

Would not think that it is as efficient as a centrifugal.

You also have to have a noisy air compressor giving you power.

 

[Compositepro]

That is not a ram pump (which uses gravity and the fluid's potential energy to operate). This type of pump is some times used to return condensate to boilers in chemical plants when electricity is not feasible. Why isn't it used? Probably because it is not readily available, not energy efficient, requires a compressor, and there are not really greatly superior to alternative pumps.

 

[MikeHalloran]

In addition to the compressor noise, the pump itself is going to make a bit of noise, with those great big flapper valves slamming shut and buzzing open.

If the building houses, say, a forge shop, no one will notice.

If the building is populated with office space, everyone will notice.

You may even get complaints from occupants of adjacent buildings.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IBechir]

Thank you everyone for the great feedback.

 

[LittleInch]

I'd never seen this type of pump before, but its major benefit seems to be the ability to deal with lots of rubbish in the water. There are other pumps able to deal with this - see sewage pumps - and would appear to have a number of issues including the lack of any ability to lift water. I couldn't work out how it pulsed the air in and out, but that's probably some sort of pneumatic relays.

Would make quite an interesting noise....

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way