Diaphragm Pump Types and Applications

Diaphragm Pumps are widely applicable in a lot of industries, and they can handle an extremely wide range of fluids. These pumps come under positive displacement pumps due to their flow rates do not differ a lot with the expulsion of the pump. These types of pumps are used to transfer the fluids with high, low, or medium viscosities & also fluids with huge solids content. Diaphragm pumps handle numerous hard chemicals like acids as they can be designed with an extensive range of body materials as well as diaphragms. This article discusses the diaphragm pump definition, working, and applications.


What is Diaphragm Pump?

A diaphragm pump is a PD or positive displacement pump. It is also called as a membrane pump. This pump works with using a blend of the reciprocating action of a rubber, Teflon diaphragm otherwise thermoplastic & appropriate valves on any face of the diaphragm to push a liquid.

These pumps are widely used to handle a wide range of fluids in many industries. These pumps can push fluids with high, low, or medium viscosities. These can also be used to handle numerous violent chemicals like acids as they are assembled with an extensive range of diaphragms and body materials.

diaphragm-pump
diaphragm-pump

Working Principle of Diaphragm Pump

A double diaphragm pump uses two bendable diaphragms that respond back & forward to make a temporary hall, where both receives and ejects liquid through this pump. The working principle of the pump is on an air displacement principle which is like a separation partition among the air as well as the fluid.

working-principle-of-diaphragm-pump
working-principle-of-diaphragm-pump

Types of Diaphragm Pumps

The diaphragm pumps are classified into different types such as

types-of-diaphragm-pumps
types-of-diaphragm-pumps
  • Air-Operated Pumps
  • Small Air-Operated Pumps
  • Small Motor Driven Pumps
  • Motor Driven Pumps
  • Wanner Hydra-Cell Pumps

Air-Operated Pumps

This is the most accepted diaphragm pump. The working of these pumps can be done by using compressed air. These pumps also include two assembly rooms with a diaphragm namely inlet check valve as well as an outlet check valve in every assembly room. The supply of air can be moved from one assembly room to another using an air spool control device that can be built into the pump.

This recurrent shifting process of air from one assembly room to another can forces fluid out of one assembly room & into the expulsion piping through the additional assembly room is being filled with fluid. There is some discharge flow pulsation within this pump, which can decrease a bit with pulsation dampeners within the discharge piping.

Small Air-Operated Pumps

The small air-operated pumps handle typical liquid viscosities & no pulp liquid focuses with ease. These pumps are used in low-volume liquid distribute accounts. The inlet & outlet ports of these pumps have 3/8, 1/2, otherwise, 3/4 & flow rates are 2GPM to 10 GPM.

Small Motor Driven Pumps

The small motor driven pumps develop forces to 60 PSI & in some cases 100 PSI. This type of pump is designed in two separate styles. The primary one is the demanding style which comprises a fixed force switch to routinely end & begin the pump at precise force settings. This kind of style is very famous.

The secondary style is Bypass wherever the pump maintains to run in spite of force within the system except internally avoids flow if the expulsion valve is closed. However, if the expulsion valve is closed for a few minutes, then fluid-overheating can take place and internals of the pump can be damaged.

Wanner Hydra-Cell Pumps

This is the larger shaft driven pump, which will supply pressures to 1500 PSI otherwise 2500 PSI & flow rates to 36 GPM. These are designed with different metals as well as elastomers for acidic solutions, slurries, violent chemicals, abrasives, wettable powders, and hot fluids.

Diaphragm Pump Characteristics

The characteristics of the diaphragm pump include the following

  • The flow of liquid is with pulsation
  • When the fluid enters the tube with the functioning of a check valve, then it constantly supplies out from the higher side.
  • The check valve closing is complicated.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Diaphragm Pumps

The diaphragm pump advantages include the following.

  • These pumps are not expensive due to the proper maintenance
  • Self-priming
  • Explosion proof
  • Changeable flow rate and expulsion pressure
  • Portable
  • Easy installation
  • They can operate in the long term
  • These are energy-efficient as they apply extra force while the forward hit of the pump.
  • These are well suited for pumping chemicals otherwise other harming fluids
  • These pumps are suitable to conquer standing force within the flow line.

The diaphragm pump disadvantages include the following.

  • Most of the diaphragm pumps need approximately 20 typical cubic-feet for each minute & 100 PSI of air intake for operating powerfully.
  • These pumps are inclined not to push extremely accurate at their base end.
  • This diaphragm pump pulsates, so a dampener has to be fixed on top of the pump to decrease pulsing.

Diaphragm Pump Applications

The applications of diaphragm pump commonly applicable in many industries. These pumps are used to push liquids like corrosive chemical, volatile solvents, viscous, shear-sensitive foodstuffs, pharma product, sticky fluids, dirty water, smaller solids, creams, abrasive slurry, oils, and gels.

Thus, this is all about diaphragm pumps, and normally they work most excellent for dirt free fluids & hard chemicals within fewer pressure applications. These pumps are an extremely efficient kind pump because it can handles fluids with low, medium, or viscosities. Here is a question for you, what is an electric diaphragm water pump?