Countless industries across the world rely on pumps to keep their processes working at a high level of performance. The reliability of industrial pumps is very important as a failure may cause unplanned production downtime, costly repairs and even a complete lost in products being produced. Therefore, selecting the right pump for your application can help you minimize and prevent such situations.
Within industrial positive displacement pumps, there are many options to choose from, such as gear, peristaltic hose, piston/plunger, progressive cavity, or air operated double diaphragm pumps.
So, how to choose which one suits you the best? Luckily, one pump combines both reliability and versatility, in addition to other advantages: AODD pumps.
Wide application range
Versatility is the main advantage of air operated double diaphragm pumps, as they are capable of pumping a wide variety of fluids. These range from shear sensitive fluids to slurries or even abrasive/corrosive fluids and, by choosing the right design and the right materials, they are able to meet the installation requirements without causing damage to the pump or the final product. Another important aspect is that the fluid does not necessarily have to be clean, it may contain suspended solids, making them suitable for even the most severe applications and working conditions.
Given their versatility, they can be found in many industries. They can be used for transferring acids in the chemical industry or for slip transfer in the ceramic industry. This demonstrates the pumps wide range of use and how they can adapt to any application. The most common uses are tank loading/unloading, fluid batching/mixing, recirculation and transfer, water extraction and treatment, coating and mold filling. Such uses can be found within the following industries:
- Petrochemical
- Mining and construction
- Paint and coatings
- Pulp and paper
- Textile
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Ceramics
- Marine
- Power stations (energy)
- Tank farms/ bulk transfer
- Waste water and water treatment
- Electronics
More performance benefits
In addition to their versatility, these pumps provide a series of competitive advantages compared to other technologies, in terms of performance features and cost reduction.
These pumps are capable of running dry without damaging the pump and they do not build up heat during operation. In addition, they are self-priming and ideal for suction lift applications. They are safer than other pumps, as they do not have any electrical hazards, they can be used in explosive atmospheres (ATEX certified models) and can operate completely submerged without diminishing their performance.
In addition to their performance, they are an economical choice for a wide range of applications when compared to other pump technologies due to their ease of operation and maintenance.
AODD pumps start automatically when the fluid outlet is opened which makes it simple and easy to integrate into a pumping system. Also, the fluid discharge pressure and flow rate are easily adjustable by using only one air pressure regulator. The absence of mechanical and dynamic seals makes service faster and easier, thus reducing the cost and time required to restore the pump.
Common uses and pump sizes
Diaphragm pump can be classified based on their application, sales channels and industry. According to this we can consider the following categories:
OEM applications
Applications where a pump is installed in an equipment or system, for example in concrete admixture dosing equipment, require compact pumps such as the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ported pumps that are capable of delivering low flow rates. Their small size makes them perfectly fit the manufacturers installation needs.
Applications using inks or paints
1/2" metallic pumps are often used for pumping ink or paint. The maximum viscosity for this application would be 3,000 - 4,000 cPs. In these cases, it is usual to offer different diaphragm materials depending on whether the paint is water based or solvent based. In paint manufacturing industries 2” and 3” metal pumps are the most common pumps for product manufacturing, transferring or packaging applications. 3/8” and ½” sized pumps are typically used in spraying equipment in paint booths.
Wastewater or waste oil applications
For wastewater treatment, the most common sizes are 2" and 3". 1" pumps, being a versatile size, are also used in applications of this type.
Ceramic and mining applications
2" or 3" pumps are usually used in these industries. They provide high flow rates, between 650 l/min (172 gal/min) and 1.000 l/min (264 gal/min). Their robust construction makes them perfect for tough conditions, such as pumping ceramic glazes, water with suspended particles, slurries or abrasive fluids, while providing maximum flow performance.
Chemical industry
Depending on the flow rate needed any pump size may be suitable for these applications. Specialty chemical companies (or tollers) that modify the percentage concentration of base chemicals or make custom chemicals typically use pumps sized between 1" and 2". However, base chemical manufacturing usually has side processes in which, bigger pumps like 1 1/2”, 2” or 3” pumps are the most commonly used. Most common material combination for these industries is stainless steel or non-metallic pumps with PTFE diaphragms.
General manufacturing
One of the main processes in most industries is the unloading of drums or totes. For this purpose, ½” pumsp are the most commonly used. Also waste water treatment is very important in many industries and in these cases ½" to 2" pumps with PTFE or Santoprene diaphragms are used depending on the water pH.
Conclusion
All things considered, AODD pumps are very versatile and reliable. Their adaptability is their most remarkable feature, making them capable of pump a wide range of fluids in almost any industry.
If you have decided AODD Pumps are the best solution for your application after discovering their characteristics and most common uses, let us introduce you to our Pivot Series AODD pumps.
They combine a universal design with a unique frictionless Pivot-Shaft Air Valve that provides maximum performance and energy efficiency to exceed performance expectations. Their innovative, patented air valve design facilitates air motor servicing, enables low pressure start up and the pump has less vibration and fluid pulsations due to the pivot valve’s fast changeover action. The pivot valve eliminates pump stalling and prevents icing of the air motor during continuous operation.
The optimised manifold design makes them super abrasion resistant, which reduces pump wear. In addition, the reduced number of parts in the pump and common bolt sizes used in the construction allows for easier maintenance.
If you still need help choosing the right pump for you, do not hesitate to contact us so that we can help you get the most out of your project.
