Merry-go-round, solar-powered pump developed in Africa

A Fun Pump, as shown above, was recently donated by
Virgin Atlantic’s Fuji Climbers in Kyeleni, Kenya.

In what is called “a rare collaboration between a global company and an African NGO,” world-leading pumping systems designer and manufacturer NOV Mono(R) and Johannesburg-based NGO Water For All have partnered to develop a unique water system – the Fun Pump. Made up of an electric pump powered by a 160-watt solar panel, the system also uses a merry-go-round that can generate electricity while children are at play on it.

The Fun Pump's solar panel can generate at least of 5,000 liters of water daily, depending on the depth and yield of the borehole. While the children play, production increases by about 20%.

Mono and Water For All have also developed the Sun Pump, a 480-watt solar pump capable of producing 8,000-30,000 liters of water daily, based on borehole specifications. The system is equipped with several pumps that allow work in various settings and depths.

The World Health Organization says that 1.1 billion people around the world do not have access to safe water. If governments and businesses could invest in drinking water and sanitation, the following can be generated: 320 million productive days annually, 272 million school attendance days, and 1.5 billion healthy days for children under five years old.

Water For All has been providing access to clean water to hundreds of schools and communities in Africa since 2004. It works with local communities and advisors in assessing water needs and determining water technologies that can help. Aside from merry-go-round pumps, the organization uses other water technologies such as wind powered pumps, solar pumps, hand pumps, and purification systems.

NOV Mono designs and manufactures progressing cavity pumps, parts, grinders, screens, and packaged systems. It is owned by leading oilfield products and services provider National Oilwell Varco (NOV). NOV, which acquired Mono is 2003, has a $14 billion turnover.

-  Jen Balboa

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