Papa Pump Development
Traditional ‘ram’ pumps were manufactured using cast iron which has and remains the base material for many other water pumps because it is relatively strong and can be cast into reasonably intricate profiles to suit efficient flow characteristics.
Disadvantages of using cast iron are that whilst it is a strong material is also ‘brittle’ and is susceptible to cracking if subjected to high impacts or freezing. As ‘ram’ pumps operate by utilising the energy generated by hydraulic impacts such pumps utilising cast iron construction require relatively thick material sections which means that they are also heavy.
The traditional ‘ram’ operating mechanism utilises a ‘disc’ valve whereby its large surface area is acted on directly by the water flow causing it to close. The housing to accommodate these valves therefore needs to also be large – which dictates the overall size and design of these traditional pumps which are therefore both big and heavy.
Engineered for Reliability - Optimized Performance Valves
Simple to install. Works forever.
The initial fundamental technology advance in developing the Papa Pump was the innovation of a smaller valve. This valve operates utilising the ‘venturi’ effect whereby its curved profile allows a high flow to pass through a relatively small area thereby generating a low pressure on one side causing it to close quickly without the need for a large operating surface. This reduction of valve size enabled significant reductions of overall pump size, weight and cost.
Additional benefits allowed the pumps to be manufactured from thinner higher quality, low corrosive materials such as stainless steel and bronze which remains the basis of the original and ‘patented’ Papa pump which was introduced in 1997.
- No. 23 — Supply head: min 0.6 m | Delivery head: up to 6 m (20 ft)
→ Low-head, low-flow applications. - No. 24 — Supply head: min 1 m | Delivery head: up to 10 m (33 ft)
→ Small community or garden irrigation. - No. 25 — Greater supply flow | Delivery head: up to 50 m (164 ft)
→ Medium head & higher-flow demands. - No. 26 — Greater supply flow | Delivery head: up to 100 m (328 ft)
→ High head, long-distance projects.
Note: Valve choice is critical to match supply head and flow. WPT’s valve range lets our pumps operate across an extended variety of site conditions.
Ancillary: The Sureflow device helps maintain operation when flows are small, variable or intermittent (useful in dry seasons)
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Small & Light
To maintain a technological lead and embracing new materials and manufacturing processes we embarked on developing a pump using new ‘composite’ materials that offered further advantages of optimised design, size, weight and cost.
The new material was a structural engineering composite that was starting to be used as a replacement for metal components in industries such as automotive and consisted of 50% glass and 50% nylon which benefitted from the combined stiffness characteristics of glass and the flexibility of nylon which together with its non-corrosive properties presented an excellent prospect for utilisation for the main pump body components.
This material could also be injection moulded which allowed it to be manufactured as a relatively low cost and mass produceable product.
However, even though the material was inherently strong – to withstand the high pressures and constant hydraulic shock cycle that ‘ram’ pumps endure, the material wall sections needed to be significantly thicker than would be required for singular static pressure applications which presented unique challenges both in terms of the material and injection moulding process.
Following much research and development, we were able to innovate changes to the conventional moulding and tooling process that enabled the product to be manufactured with suitable wall thicknesses that defied previous conventions and computer models which still remain ‘unique’ to this day.
The Papa pump remains the worlds first and only injection moulded product in its class and has received numerous industry awards.
World Leading Innovations
‘Venturi’ effect elastomeric valve
This unique and patented valve transforms the size and operation of ‘ram’ pumps.
In-line concentric design
Allows for strong compact and efficient operation with minimal number of components. The world’s first and only in-line ram pump.
Injection molded composite material
Using a very tough and non-corrosive material allows the pump to be mass produced and is the world’s first and only pump of its type.
Automatic flow control valve
Enables the pump to operate automatically and efficiently regardless of the water supply. The world’s first and only ‘ram’ pump to operate automatically.
Seradisc filter
A unique and patented multi disc, adjustable water filter screen manufactured using an injection moulding process with non-corrosive materials.
Venturo pump
Utilising the benefits of the ‘venturi’ valve on a larger scale enables the design of a pump capable of moving considerable quantities of water and is the world’s largest ram pump.
Seradisc Filter
A revolution in water filtration — The best screen filter protection for your pump!
Because ‘ram’ pumps generally operate on a continuous basis often using water from natural streams and rivers, the flow of water through the system and pump is significant compared to most other pump systems with an average flow through of around 80m3/day per pump. The potential for ingress of floating debris etc at this flow rate is high and conventional filter systems proved inadequate requiring regular cleaning to prevent blockages.
The Seradisc® Filter is better by design – The Seradisc’s unique design has increased the screen surface area, diffusing the flow and reducing the velocity at any given point. This helps prevent vortexing and subsequent cavitation. The design also allows for the discs to be squeezed together or expanded apart, giving you total control over the particle filtration grades.
To address this issue we embarked on research to identify the primary causes leading to filter blockages and discovered that much of the issue was due to the relatively high flow velocities of water entering the filter system causing debris to be drawn towards the filter. The solution to this was to design a filter that had a high inlet area thereby substantially reducing the flow velocity around the filter and thereby reducing the ‘draw’ effect of debris towards the filter unit. We also recognised that conventional filters were quite difficult to clear as the debris had a tendency to become locked into the screen membrane and often required removal of the filter to adequately clear.
Our solution was to design a ‘flexible’ filter screen that provided a large surface area thereby reducing the velocity of water and resulting debris entering it whilst also providing means to simply shake the filter whilst in place to clear any entrained debris from it.
The filter comprises a series of flexible circular discs that are mounted on barrel each incorporating ‘integral’ leaf springs which act in contact with each consecutive disc to provide a spacing between them which can be adjusted by installing more or fewer discs on the barrel. Water is drawn in from the periphery of these discs which constitute a large surface area and relatively low flow thereby dramatically reducing the suction current around and into the filter. If debris does become entrained on the filter the discs can be simply shaken which causes the discs to separate and the debris to fall off without needing to remove the filter.
Features & Benefits
Variable grade screening
The Seradisc filter includes 16 discs but can accommodate up to 42 to filter particulates from 4mm down to 0.1mm
Easy cleaning
The Filter is easily cleaned by simply brushing or rinsing debris off
Multipurpose 2” BSP adaptor
Each Seradisc kit comes with 2 BSP adaptors which are multifunction by way of a knockout inner disc
Modular & Expandable
For increased capacity or larger pipe work the Seradisc may be utilised in many configurations
Protection cage and float
Increase Seradisc versatility by floating filters in the cleanest water — below surface debris and above the bed.
Adaptable for shallow use
The Seradisc is adaptable to very shallow applications via break-off tabs allowing use in water levels as low as 130mm
See the Seradisc in use
How to make a Floating Manifold
Additionally, the filter is adjustable by simply adding or removing the number of discs which can be adjusted from a 6mm to 0.1mm screening grade. The filters can also be connected together in series with the included joiners or configured on manifolds in multiple configurations to expand the screening potential for large scale water applications. There is also a ‘slide on’ stainless steel protection guard available for use in harsh environments together with a screw on ball float that enables the filter to float below the water to avoid debris entrainment where it can move up and down automatically according to the water level.
The filter is manufactured from a thermoplastic non-corrosive material using an injection moulding process and has a life expectancy of many decades.
If the supply water entering the supply tank reduces, the water level and float will gradually descend causing the float valve to then suddenly switch over allowing the pressurised water feed from the pump to flow through the valve connecting to the shut off valve via one of the small connecting pipes thereby pressurizing the top side of the internal diaphragm and closing the valve preventing water from exhausting from and stopping the pump from operating.
“Had the Seradisc system for 2 years, not one problem, not one pump breakdown. This system is so good, it’s amazing, it’s very cheap, economical, doesn’t wear out, non corrosive, the perfect system!”
– Customer quote – Charlie from Mineshop Cottages, Cornwall.
Awards & Recognition
Sureflow Valve
Often and increasingly, natural water flows tend to be generally more variable due to increased water abstraction and climate variables. Therefore, ram pumps that operate continuously during periods of high rainfall may require adjustment during drier periods to allow them to operate continuously which requires manual adjustment which can reduce the water delivery and may also reduce the ‘maximum’ pressure that the pumps can operate at.
Adjustment of ram pumps to accommodate reducing water flows requires the pumps to be ‘under adjusted’ to allow for excess water availability to avoid the ingress of air and pump stoppages.
To overcome this issue, we developed a novel automatic flow control system that can be ‘retrofitted’ to a Papa pump system and allows the pump to operate regardless of the incoming water flow rate. This was achieved by designing a mechanical diaphragm operated ‘shut off’ valve that is simply attached into the ‘exhaust’ port of the pump and connected via three small 8mm diameter control pipes from the delivery pipe of the pump via a ‘float valve’ situated in the supply tank.
If the supply water entering the supply tank reduces, the water level and float will gradually descend causing the float valve to then suddenly switch over allowing the pressurised water feed from the pump to flow through the valve connecting to the shut off valve via one of the small connecting pipes thereby pressurizing the top side of the internal diaphragm and closing the valve preventing water from exhausting from and stopping the pump from operating.
The system can also be utilized on multi-pump installations using a single float valve with separate shut off valves being installed on to the individual pumps as required.
The float valve and shut off valve are injection moulded using the same high strength material as the pumps and the Sureflow valve enables the Papa pump to be the world’s first and only automatically controlled ram pump.
Sureflow Valve : How it works
How it works — Papa Pump example – With a Sureflow system fitted to a Papa Pump®, as the level in the supply tank drops the float arrangement causes the rotary float valve to operate. This allows water pressure to act on the upper side of a diaphragm in the valve whilst venting pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm, thereby closing the valve and thus preventing water flow through the pump.
Conversely, as the water level in the supply tank rises, it will cause the float arrangement to reverse the pressure on the diaphragm and allow the flow valve to re-open, automatically restarting the pump.
At times of low-flow in watercourses, this system will also automatically restrict the abstraction of water when it is below a minimum level in accordance with environmental considerations. This allows the system to operate fully automatically to the mutual benefit of ourselves and the environment.
The system can also be utilized on multi-pump installations using a single float valve with separate shut off valves being installed on to the individual pumps as required.
The float valve and shut off valve are injection moulded using the same high strength material as the pumps and the Sureflow valve enables the Papa pump to be the world’s first and only automatically controlled ram pump.
Why Choose WPT?
Sustainable, Affordable, and Simple to Use
Zero Running Costs
No fuel, electricity, or batteries
No Carbon Emissions
100% clean, 100% renewable
Long Life
Pumps last 30+ years
Simple Maintenance
Just a valve change every few years
24/7 Operation
Day and night, rain or shine
Built Tough
No rust, no rot, and works even in remote valleys
Farmers save up to £20,000 a year. NGOs reduce long-term O&M costs. And communities get water without waiting on the grid.
Get in Touch With Us
Whether you’re a farmer looking for a pump, a partner or NGO planning a project, or a distributor interested in joining our network, we’d love to hear from you.
Tell us a little about your needs, and our team will connect with you to guide the best solution.