Evaluation of a treadle pump for low lift irrigation at NCAM, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

The treadle pump is a low speed foot operated single acting double cylinder piston pump for low lift irrigation. A scientific methodology is demonstrated for the evaluation of a metal treadle pump manufactured in Kenya to present pump performance data for the benefit of users. The experimental data indicated that the treadle pump cannot pull water from any source more than 7 m below the pump. Results showed an inverse relationship between discharge and delivery head with discharge varying from 1.3 l/sec to 0.8 l/sec for 1m to 6m delivery head respectively. The maximum overall efficiency of the treadle pump was found to be 89.7% at a static suction head of 2.5 m. Treadle pumps are suitable, ergonomic and economical for supplying water for drinking and small-scale irrigation in developing countries.

Key Words: Discharge, Efficiency, Manual pump, Small-scale irrigation, Treadle