Diaphragm Pump
Diaphragm pump is classified as a positive displacement pump because it acts as a limited displacement piston. It is a common industrial pump to move liquids. Diaphragm pumps are highly reliable because they do not include internal parts that rub against each other. Diaphragm pump is one of the oldest pumping techniques used by man.
How does a diaphragm pump works?
The operating principle of diaphragm liquid pump is extremely simple. The pump includes a single diaphragm and chamber, as well as suction and discharge check valves to prevent back flow. In a diaphragm pump, a diaphragm is hydraulically moved backwards and forwards rapidly by a simple piston pump. The diaphragm is clamped at its circumference between the pump housing and the pump head. An eccentric imparts movement to the connecting rod, which in turn moves the diaphragm to and from. This produces a periodic change in volume of the working chamber. In combination with automatic inlet and exhaust valves, this change in volume produces a pumping action.
Types of Diaphragm Pump:
- Hydraulically Operated Diaphragm Pump : This pump does not need piston seals. This pump is activated by the plunger pump setup. The plunger setup provides high pressure operation. This pump is monitored continuously. The inlet valve and outlet valve may be eroded and blocked.
- Air Operated Diaphragm Pump : Two diaphragms are mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically oscillated to displace the liquid or gas. The diaphragm which pushed the fluid now sucks the fluid and the diaphragm which admitted the fluid now pushes the fluid out. This is also called the double diaphragm pump.
Applications of Diaphragm Pump:
Diaphragm pumps are used in a variety of industries and applications. They are as follows:
- Aerospace or Defense
- Agriculture or Horticulture
- Automotive
- Brewery or Distillery
- Construction
- Cryogenic
- Dairy
- Flood Control
- Food Processing
- HVAC
- Machine Tool
- Maritime
- Mining
- Municipal Applications
- Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Applications
- Power Generation
- Pulp and Paper Industries and
- Production of Semiconductors
- Packaging Industry
- Ceramic and Tiles Industry
Uses and Features of Diaphragm Pump:
- Rugged diaphragm pump can withstand high temperatures and may be exposed to various grades of water, oils, and other solvents.
- Some diaphragm pumps can handle hazardous materials, highly viscous fluids, liquids with solids, or liquids with oil.
- Diaphragm pumps can also handle lubricants, oil, potable water, salt water, wastewater, powder or solids, sewage, sludge, and slurry or ash slurry.
- Power sources include AC voltage, DC voltage, pneumatic or hydraulic systems, natural gas, gasoline, steam, water, or solar power.
- Cars often use a diaphragm Pump to move gasoline from the gas tank to the carburetor or fuel injection plugs.
- Diaphragm pumps are very common and come in many sizes.
- Speed motors and drives are not needed in diaphragm pumps.
- There is no contact between the chamber of pump and the pumping material. This feature is ideal for diaphragm pump to pump the slurries and abrasives.
- The diaphragm plays the role of membrane while separating the fluid and air.
- It is a totally submerging pump in many cases.
