Design and construction of a hybrid pedal and engine-powered water pumping system :

Abstract

Irrigation refers to the process of providing controlled amounts of water to a specific land area to aid in the growth of lawns, landscaping plants, and crops. Irrigation has attained increasing importance over the world because of the growing demand for food by a rapidly growing world population. Water pumps are currently vital tools for farmers, especially for those who live in regions with little or no rainfall. Diesel, solar, and electric water pumps are the most often used. An electric pump operates under the theory that electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy, which is then used to transport fluid from one place to another. The pumping system takes water from open wells, bore wells, streams, ponds, canals, etc. (W. Kiprono & Ibáñez Llario, 2020). The existing diesel and petrol pumps for irrigation would solve this problem but they are not affordable to most farmers in terms of initial purchase and maintenance. Solar and electric pumps are however not well adopted due to uneven electricity distribution and higher initial costs for solar systems. The major purpose of this study was to design a hybrid pedal and engine-powered water pumping system that enables local small-scale farmers to irrigate their gardens in different locations at reduced costs, and increase crop yield, and food production. The study therefore entails analysis of design requirements for a hybrid pedal and engine powered water pumping system, fabrication, and assembly of every part of a hybrid pedal and engine powered water pump for small to medium size farmers, carrying out cost benefit analysis of the system.