One of the most powerful workhorses of the industry is also one of the simplest types of technologies inside factories and plants: AODD pumps.
Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps can handle the harshest fluids in the toughest environments. With just a handful of parts, AODD pumps remain reliable, while requiring little maintenance. They're also versatile, and well-suited for a broad range of industries—from mining to food and beverage production.
How does such a simple piece of machinery keep production moving at top speed? The answer is in the pump components.
How Each Component of Diaphragm Pumps Are Important to Its Operation
By understanding AODD pump basics, you can make choices that help your AODD pump perform at its best in a specific application.
These are the basic parts and components of an AODD pump:
Read on to find out more about each specific pump component.
Now that you know about the basic components of an AODD pump, let’s explore how they operate. Below is an example of a cutaway AODD unit that shows how the main pump components work.
Compressed air fills the left inner chamber, causing the opposing diaphragm to create suction, lifting the lower valve ball to pull in fluid at the inlet. Simultaneously, the left fluid chamber is in the “discharge” cycle.
Compressed air fills the right inner chamber, causing the upper valve ball to open and discharge fluid. Simultaneously, the left chamber is in the “suction” cycle.
When selecting a pump for a specific application, certain pump components can make a big difference in overall performance and meantime between failure (MTBF).
Tip: Heavy/weighted valve balls should be used when pumping thick, viscous liquids.
A heavy valve ball will cut through the thick product and seat faster when pumping thick liquid due to gravity. This will allow the pump to be more effective when pumping thick fluids. PTFE or stainless-steel valve balls, for example, are much heavier than valve balls made of Santoprene or other materials.
Tip: Choose abrasion-resistant valve seats.
When pumping abrasive fluids, consider using valve seats made from an abrasion-resistant material. For example, if pumping abrasive ceramic slip, replace rubber valve seats with stainless steel to reduce the wear associated with abrasive applications. For plastic pumps, PVDF is more abrasion resistant as compared to polypropylene.
Tip: For the air side of the pump, select a material that is chemically compatible with the fluid being pumped.
The fluid being pumped does not just contact the wetted side of the pump in most cases. The fluid is certain to encounter the air side of the unit as well, either by the environment around the pump or when a diaphragm fails. The surrounding environment can have fumes or the pump can get splashed with chemicals from the process. If that is the case, then you need to make sure the air side (air valve, center block, air chambers, etc.) is also comprised of chemically compatible materials of construction.
This is also true when a diaphragm failure occurs. When a diaphragm fails, the liquid can contact the air side of the pump, and can cause damage if the materials on the air side are not compatible with the fluid being pumped.
Using a material that is chemically compatible on both the air and wetted side will extend the life and performance of the pump and, in most cases, will be worth the additional upfront cost associated with some air side materials (such as stainless steel). Polypropylene and coated metal air side components are also good options to consider.
AODD pumps can handle a wide range of chemicals, flow rates and viscosities, and can perform well in a broad array of industries.
Though diaphragm pumps are very simple to understand, the more you know about some of their specific components, the easier it will be to find the best pump for your application.
When it comes to choosing a pumping partner, the decision is easy. For almost 40 years, Versamatic has been manufacturing AODD pumps to meet the challenges of industries across the world.
Whether you’re seeking a new pump or need replacement parts and accessories, you can count on Versamatic’s proven products and expertise.
Learn how the reliability and durability of Versamatic pumps serve a wide range industries in our most recent case study.
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