Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

The College of New Caledonia is collaborating with Brew Creek Lodge 2000 Ltd. and Bionera Resources Inc. to develop a hydraulic Ram pump system used for off-grid irrigation. Ram pumps apply the energy of the falling water to lift a fraction of the flow to an elevation surpassing several times the input water head. Ram pump technology is a low lifetime cost, environmentally friendly and zero energy solution to deliver water for farm livestock, crop irrigation, off grid property, water intensive commercial enterprises such as golf courses, vineyards, hotels, water treatment plants, and humanitarian projects.This research will provide solutions to several technical challenges: (i) a high delivery head through developing a two-stage pump (in series) system at Brew Creek, (ii) a large delivery flow through installation of two pumps in parallel at Bionera, and (iii) filtering the water through a side stream bifurcated pipe filter. The study will benefit the two companies with significant savings from eliminating the use of conventional energy-based irrigation equipment. The savings are the result of lower pumping costs but also, of reduced capital and maintenance costs. The research outcomes will be shared broadly. Participating CNC students will acquire skillsets in the fields of clean energy, irrigation and hydraulic pumps.