SIZING RAM PUMPS

Although a method for the optimal design of ram pump systems using a p ump of given size now exists, there is no simple procedure for selecti ng the proper size of pump to provide a specific duty. This Technical Note shows how pump size may be determined from the required output po wer. The finding is supported by existing results and further tests on a 53 mm Wilcox pump. Examples are given to illustrate the sizing of s mall to medium pumps. A cost analysis indicates that economy of scale applies to ram pumps and that the use of multiple pumps is not cost ef fective unless low drive heads have to be utilized.