A solar force pump. Image credit sunfuel.co.in

A solar force pump. Image credit sunfuel.co.in

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Pumps: Force pump

  • A force pump:
  • Has a cylinder, piston, two valves and a spout (outlet)
  • It makes use of atmospheric pressure to force fluid/water into the pump through valves
  • The valves in the pump allow fluids to flow in one direction only
  • When one valve is closed the other one is open
  • Uses force to operate at depths above 10m
A force pump in action

A force pump in action

  • When the piston moves up
  • Valve A closes
  • and atmospheric pressure forces water up through valve B into the cylinder
  • As the piston moves down
  • Valve B closes and
  • Water is forced through valve B
  • into the reservoir (C) and out of the spout
  • Water flows continuously from the spout because of the pressure of the air trapped in the reservoir
  • The force pump is also known as a deep well pump

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page