Diaphragms separate air and liquid chambers of an AODD (Air Operated Double Diaphragm) Pump. Failure of the diaphragm will not only stop the pump operation but also result in leakage of the process fluid (with related spillage issues). It is imperative right diaphragms are selected for trouble-free, reliable, and safe pump operation. In this blog, we will discuss more the factors to consider
for diaphragm selection, material options available, and recommendations for general applications.
Factors to Consider for Diaphragm Selection
1. Prior Experience: Good starting point is the prior experience of handling diaphragms materials against the liquid pumped.
2. Chemical Compatibility: Each liquid is unique and chemical compatibility is the must. It is also important that diaphragms are compatible with non-process liquids as well (such as cleaning agents etc).
Most pump manufacturers publish detail chemical compatibility charts with respect to diaphragm materials options. Here is a useful link:
If in doubt, always consult your process personnel to ensure that diaphragms selected are compatible with the liquid pumped.
3. Abrasion Resistance: An abrasive liquid contains substances, often minerals and inorganic materials, that are harder than the material they rub against. This abrasion will wear out and damage softer materials, such as double diaphragm pump. There are diaphragms available to handle such abrasive liquids.
4. Flex Life: How long will the diaphragms last? The pump may cycle a hundred times in a minute. The diaphragm has to flex with each stroke. Some diaphragm materials have longer flex life than others even under the same ideal operating conditions, meaning these can cycle more without losing mechanical properties. Diaphragms will need to be replaced after its flex life is over.
5. Temperature: Operating temperature of the procedure liquid is an imperative thought for stomach determination. At high temperatures, a few materials can deteriorate and might not have the same erosion opposition (contrasted with lower temperatures). At lower temperatures, stomach adaptability is generally an issue. Every stomach materials have a scope of working temperature. Obviously, greatest flex life can't be normal as you work the siphon at the outrageous furthest reaches of the temperature ranges.
6.Suction Condition: Since AODD siphons are self-preparing, the application can be overwhelmed suction or suction lift. Be cautious about such framework parameters for stomach determination.
7. Clean Applications: For siphons utilized in sustenance, drinks, dairy, individual consideration, and pharmaceutical businesses, stomachs must satisfy sterile industry guidelines such US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and US Pharmacopeia Convention (USP) measures.
8. Cost: Each diaphragm material comes at a different cost. The total cost of ownership of diaphragm is determined by various factors such as initial purchase cost, flex life, cost of downtime, labor costs for replacing the diaphragms, etc.
Over the years, a number of materials have been tested extensively for use in diaphragms in AODD pumps.
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