A Guide To Diaphragm Pumps

Do you wonder how large volumes of materials would be conveyed from one point to another within a short time? Diaphragm pumps are an incredible choice for conveying high volumes of material at moderately low pressure. They regularly oppose wearing as they don’t have a cylinder travelling through a cylinder. 

Depending on the different manufacturers like KNF, there are two types of pumps commonly used; air-driven and electric-powered pumps, but air-driven have sailed to the top of the board as most preferred. In this guide, let’s look at how the air-driven pump works, how to get the right one for your plant, and the best applications, advantages, and disadvantages. 

How Does A Diaphragm Work?

An Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pump or AODD Pump is a response positive dislodging siphon driven by compressed air as opposed to an electric engine. This plan of the siphon comprises two chambers, each with its inlet and outlet check valves and a diaphragm; thus, the name is a double diaphragm pump.

The forward and backward movement of the diaphragm moves the air supply shifts from one chamber to the next, which empowers the two chambers simultaneously. As the diaphragm moves into one partition, it powers the liquid inside into the power source, while the other chamber tops off with fluid drawn from the channel. As the diaphragm moves again into the contrary section, the liquid in that chamber is constrained, and the other section starts to top off.

How To Choose The Right AODD Pump

Air Operated Double Diaphragm pumps are typically the best option for delivering large volumes of liquids. But, how do you consider the best AODD pump for your plant? Below are four factors that should be considered while determining the type of AODD pump you need. 

• Constituents of the Pump

Diaphragm pumps are manufactured in various material forms. In most cases, the seat and balls need to be made of stainless steel or PTFE diaphragm material. The stainless steel one is resistant to wear and tear, while PTFE material might not be appropriate for abrasive liquids.

• Pump Volume Requirement

Materials pumped through a range from gallon per minute to gallons per minute, depending on the pump’s general size and speed of operation. Getting a pump that can perform half of its maximum limit is highly recommended under normal circumstances. Therefore, getting a pump working at half its full capacity under regular use won’t strain the pump; thus, lower maintenance and more energy saved. 

• The Drive Type for Displacement Pump 

The flow of material in the pump is controlled by the back-and-forth movement of the diaphragm. There are a variety of drive options, but electric and air-driven pumps are mostly used. Depending on what you’re transporting, the choice of your drive type will have to create a safe and convenient environment. Air-driven pumps are safe because they can use compressed air, which doesn’t promote ignition. Unlike air-driven ones, electric ones might be dangerous for cases of flammable materials in a plant, and you’ll need to have electricity all the costly time. 

• Its Performance Curve 

The performance curve is how much volume of compressed air the pump will need to operate at different levels to how much the quantity of material is conveyed at various levels at a particular time. The curve is important to give you the estimated volume of material the pump can hold at its optimum activity.  

Ideal Applications Of AODD Pumps

AODD pumps are a flexible plan reasonable for siphoning low and high viscous liquids, including those that contain high solid percentage and shear-sensitive mediums. The materials that constitute the diaphragm make it easy to transport acids and highly corrosive liquids. 

Here are the best applications of AODD pumps in different industries. 

1. They’re used in chemical industries as shear-sensitive liquids, siphon acids, alcohol, and other solvents.
2. They’re used in water treatment plants while transferring sludges, chemical reagents, and dosing for pH levelling.
3. Used in hygienic application when transporting food products, cleaning liquid for CIP, and cosmetic products such as toothpaste and perfume.
4. Transfer adhesives, ink, solvents, varnish, blending & recirculation of ink, water- and solvent-based paints in the paint industry.
5. Convey oils, lubricants, and cooling liquids used in mechanical plants.
6. Best for conveying titanium oxide, bleaching products, and glue, which are raw materials in the pulp and paper industry.
7. Application during surface coating to convey chemicals from tanks and containers and to handle waste products.

Benefits Of AODD Pumps 

1. As the name suggests, AODD pumps are driven by compressed air and thus have no use of electric power. When you minimize the use of electric power, you’ve saved energy hence less cost. 
2. AODD pumps create a safe environment for transporting highly volatile or corrosive liquids that would otherwise cause harm on the occasion of a leakage. It’s because there are no motors as in the centrifugal pumps. 
3. Most AODD pumps are made up of quality materials that are durable and easy to maintain. Less maintenance means less cost of maintenance involved.
4. AODD siphons are flexible in their performance. You can constantly adjust the air inlet pressure whenever you want to maintain a specific flow rate or pressure requirements. Since it’s manufactured with many adaptable materials, most diaphragms are compatible with fuels, chemicals, and foodstuffs. If you want to convey more viscous fluids, the siphon can decrease its speed to adapt to thicker liquids.
5. Air pollution that would otherwise cause global warming is reduced. How did it reduce? Air-driven diaphragm pumps don’t have parts that involve the use of lubricants. Because the burning down of lubricants causes air pollution.

Disadvantages Of AODD Pumps

AODD siphons might produce a pulsating flow that could cause a “water hammer” on the off chance that legitimate throb hosing gadgets aren’t utilized. Water hammer is a strain flood or wave, made when a liquid moving is compelled to stop or unexpectedly take a different path, damaging the siphon and cycle channelling. It’ll force you to replace the seals to avoid leakage. 

One more significant thing to recall is the AODD siphon might be less costly initially; however, its capability to be operated by compressed air, running the pump might be 4-5 times more than the electrically driven pump.

Conclusion

Having understood how it works, how to get the right AODD pump, ideal applications, benefits and drawbacks, it’s always important to seek professional help from experts who will aid in proper instalment and further maintenance.