Papplewick Pumping Station lift pump components.
The well under Papplewick Pumping Station is approximately 220 feet deep. Wooden rods extended from the end of each engine beam to these components at the bottom of the well which were situated in a vertical cast iron pipe known as a rising main.
The assembly on the right is the foot valve and remains fixed at the bottom of the rising main. It has two rubber flaps one of which can just be seen to the left of the large ring at the right hand end. These open as the pump rods rise allowing water to be 'sucked' into the space above the foot valve.
The other section, shown to the left of the foot valve, is the pump bucket which is fixed to the bottom end of the pump rods being moved up and down by the engine. Again it has rubber flaps which open as the pump rods descend forcing water into the space above the bucket. As the rods rise the weight of water closes the flaps and the column of water is lifted. Eventually it fills the rising main up to surface level where it flows to the force pump which sends it up to the reservoir for distribution.
When the station ceased operation the pump rods and valves were removed and are now on display alongside the road to the reservoir.
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Papplewick Pumping Station lift pump components.
The well under Papplewick Pumping Station is approximately 220 feet deep. Wooden rods extended from the end of each engine beam to these components at the bottom of the well which were situated in a vertical cast iron pipe known as a rising main.
The assembly on the right is the foot valve and remains fixed at the bottom of the rising main. It has two rubber flaps one of which can just be seen to the left of the large ring at the right hand end. These open as the pump rods rise allowing water to be 'sucked' into the space above the foot valve.
The other section, shown to the left of the foot valve, is the pump bucket which is fixed to the bottom end of the pump rods being moved up and down by the engine. Again it has rubber flaps which open as the pump rods descend forcing water into the space above the bucket. As the rods rise the weight of water closes the flaps and the column of water is lifted. Eventually it fills the rising main up to surface level where it flows to the force pump which sends it up to the reservoir for distribution.
When the station ceased operation the pump rods and valves were removed and are now on display alongside the road to the reservoir.
DSC_2145 L