He declared that with just 5,000 VND, one could own an energy-efficient water pump (!). According to him, this initiative is not only beneficial for irrigation but also for any field that requires large-scale water pumping, including pumping water for high-rise buildings.
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Mr. Tong Van Dung at TechMart 2005 Technology Market |
Meet Tong Van Dung – the “barefoot” scientist from Hanoi, who only completed the seventh grade.
To be honest, if it weren’t for the handwritten letter from Professor Nguyen Lan Dung, Head of the Voluntary Program for Scientific and Technological Advancement in Rural Households, I would have thought he was a madman. He himself admits he is not normal, as no one else spends three years just “eating home-cooked meals while toiling away on experiments.”
The rooftop of his house has turned into a laboratory, and every day, people see a man in his forties fiddling with scrap metal, screws, and tangled wires, taking apart and putting together devices in a chaotic manner.
Initially, his family and friends supported him tremendously, but as they saw him struggle without tangible results for so long, many began to lose hope. They noticed he was neglecting his responsibilities to provide for his family, spending household money on seemingly futile experiments, leading some to think, “This guy has lost his mind.”
Results Born from Sweat and Tears
“Due to financial constraints, I had to abandon my studies to enlist in the military. After being discharged, I took on various jobs, from factory worker to motorbike taxi driver to electrician and plumber… Some people have outright told me: Others with higher degrees struggle to make ends meet; what can you do with only a middle school education? But I don’t know why, the urge to explore and research seems to have seeped into my being, so I couldn’t give it up” – he confides.
His wife, originally a quiet and gentle person, could hardly tolerate his obsession and has thrown his experimental equipment out onto the street more than once. In fact, just hearing anyone mention his water pump research would send her into a rage. Perhaps that is why he has put off inviting me to his home multiple times.
After persistent questioning, he scratched his head and said, “I have to wait until my wife is not home; otherwise, I’m dead.” Then, with a sadder tone, he added: “I say this, but I know it’s already a monumental feat for her to endure a husband like me. I often feel sorry for her, but I can only keep the experimental equipment out of sight for a few days; after that, I get restless and pull it back out. Then it gets noisy again…”
Few people know that he is the author of the traffic flow management idea at Nga Tu So (Hanoi) during the SEA Games 23, using a soft separation solution. This idea was introduced by a PhD from the Military Technical Academy in the Transportation Newspaper and was partially applied in practice.
Or like his idea for athletes to breathe oxygen to recover health, or the concept of “treating the Red River” by dredging and widening the water flow… However, for him, the most successful and labor-intensive achievement, which also cost him sweat and tears, is the energy-efficient water lifting system.
Not for Sale – Just Want to Transfer for Free
At first, I was skeptical when he presented his idea, but seeing the system in action convinced me. No water priming is needed; simply lifting the pump handle causes water to flow out of the pipe by itself.
He asked: “Have you ever flicked ink with a pen? Did you notice anything?” Seeing my surprise, he replied: “The ink sprays out, right? Whether it goes far or near depends on the force of your flick. So why not apply such a simple concept to produce hand pumps? It doesn’t require advanced knowledge; it’s all basic knowledge we learn in school. If we know how to apply it, the efficiency can be surprising.”
He explained that this idea was born when his family was digging a well. Watching the workers shake the pipe to make the water rise sparked a thought in his mind: Why not use this method for pumping water?
Over the course of three years, he repeated numerous experiments with various principles like leverage and counterweights, ultimately discovering that based on seventh-grade physics knowledge, the water pumping system utilizes the laws of nature (gravity, inertia, friction…).
In fact, the “pump” that Dung frequently refers to should be understood as the “energy-efficient water lifting system” rather than simply a pump. This system is incredibly simple as it utilizes scrap parts like chains, bearings, and bicycle rims. To lift water to a moderate height, only a water pipe, a one-way valve, chains, shafts, belts, and a speed motor are needed. One pumping operation can supply water to multiple pipe outlets.
The system has advantages: it is simple in both construction and tools (all available on the market) and saves at least half the energy compared to using a conventional pump. A major advantage of this system is that it can increase the volume of water pumped without additional electricity costs; it only requires adding some simple tools like water pipes and weights. However, the system’s drawback is its bulkiness.
Mr. Dung noted that because this system is extremely simple and easy to use, it is particularly suitable for rural areas. With just 5,000 VND, locals can own a hand-operated water pump, while a system with a capacity of 10m³/second costs around 2.5 million VND. He has successfully researched using batteries to operate the system and is continuing to explore generating electricity from this energy-efficient water pumping system, with promising initial results.
When I asked why he was so dedicated to this project, he said it was because he always thinks about how to help farmers pump water in the cheapest and easiest way possible. That is why for the past couple of years, he has been seen at various industrial and agricultural equipment fairs to introduce his product.
Then people see him diligently knocking on the doors of various scientific and management agencies, hoping someone will adopt his product – even if just for free. He sadly remarked: “I just hope to receive attention from a state management agency. They only need to verify and conclude whether my product meets the requirements. But it’s been too difficult to reach them.”
Most recently, he brought the “Energy-Efficient Water Pump System” to the TechMart 2005 Technology Market. Through this event, he received many requests for technology transfer from provinces and cities across the country. However, he continually reiterates his wish: he only wants to help the community, not sell. He has never considered registering for a patent.
“What’s the point of a patent when it’s so simple? Moreover, I want as many people as possible to know about this solution because it will help them save a significant amount on electricity costs while being highly effective. If anyone invites me, I’m ready to go anywhere to transfer the technology.“
