10 Jul Diaphragm Pumps | Fluid Transfers
Diaphragm Pumps: Versatile Solutions for Fluid Transfer and Control
Where submersible pumps are normally used to push water to the surface, diaphragm pumps are used to push corrosive chemicals, shear-sensitive food products, and volatile solvents, to name a few. The versatility of diaphragm pumps makes them ideal for applications that require fluid movement and metering due to their efficiency and accuracy. With our principal range in chemical handling pumps, we at Prochem Chemical Pump Manufacturers design, manufacture, and supply pumps for industries that rely heavily on the precision afforded by these pumps.
What are Diaphragm Pumps?
What sets diaphragm pumps apart from others is their suction capabilities, enabling them to handle fluids of varying viscosities with relative ease. With most pumps being selected based purely on flow rates and pressure, what determines the correct amount of pressure and flow for these pumps is the size and rate of the chamber in the pump. Diaphragm pumps are self-priming and their versatility allows them to be completely submersed in liquid or above the liquid that is being pumped. Operating similarly to the valves of a human heart, two flexible diaphragms are used to fill the pump’s chamber with fluid and then push it out. Once the diaphragms have retracted from the chamber, the pressure is lowered and fluid then enters. When the diaphragms re-enter the chamber, the fluid is pushed out.
Applications that Rely on Metering Capabilities
Metering pumps are often required to dispense specific amounts of fluids for applications. Selecting air diaphragm pumps over other metering pumps ensures that accurate doses of chemicals or fluids are repetitively discharged automatically, making them ideal in water-treatment plants, for the processing of pharmaceuticals, and when using a metered amount of chemicals when precious metals are removed from ore, to name a few.
Ensuring Optimal Performance
As important as proper care and maintenance are to the longevity of pumps, so too is selecting the right diaphragm pumps to ensure optimal performance. With these pumps delivering precise measurements at fairly high volumes and relatively low pressure rates, it is vital in selecting the correct one for a specific requirement.
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Maximum Operating Capacity
With diaphragm pumps, select one that operates at half its maximum capacity under normal use. This gives you an indication that the pump can run for a long time without requiring any maintenance. The operating capacity for diaphragm pumps is usually stated under gallons per minute (GPM) but it can also be stated elsewhere.
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Materials
As diaphragm pumps can handle a vast range of corrosive and non-corrosive fluids, it is important to select one where robust and durable materials have been used for the ball, seat, and body of the pump. For example, stainless steel may cost more; however, it is more wear-resistant and heat-resilient, whereas PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is more affordable but it may not be capable of handling abrasive materials.
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Operating Curve for Air Diaphragm Pumps
Ensure that there is a proper amount of air for your pump to operate and that it will be able to deliver the measured amounts of fluid at the rate and distance required if necessary. This, together with the operating capacity of the pump, will determine the optimal performance or performance curve of the pump.
Where to Find Superior-Quality Air Diaphragm Pumps
Ideally situated on the East Rand, we at Prochem Chemical Pump Manufacturers have been designing and manufacturing pumps and pumping equipment in South Africa since 1987. We supply Finish Thompson diaphragm pumps – the ideal pumps for transferring large volumes of fluids quickly and effectively. Contact us and we will gladly assist you with your pumping requirements.