How Do Diaphragm Pumps Work?

Diaphragm Pumps are used across various industries to move and handle liquids. They are a type of "positive displacement" pump that can transfer liquids from one type of viscosity to the next. Due to how they are manufactured, they can even handle liquids with large solids in them or aggressive acids and chemicals. The pneumatic exchanger behind the diaphragms will introduce the compressed air to generate a “push” that takes your product into the final delivery duct while the opposing diaphragm operates to create a vacuum that will intake fluid. This cycle will continue until the product is displaced. The core of your diaphragm pump is the pneumatic exchanger. This is why advancing technology is so important. Having a reliable company and device is integral to getting the most performance out of your pump. There are many styles of diaphragm pumps on the market, powered by compressed air and other motors, each with their own cost and benefit.

Air-operated diaphragm pumps are the most popular and obviously use compressed air to supply their power. These types of pumps use air chambers and force liquids from one chamber to the next using a steady flow of air. Motor driven pumps use pressure to drive the liquid through the system. They tend to be less popular than the compressed air pumps, but the larger shaft driven diaphragm pumps are used often by those who have lawn spraying or vinyl cleaning businesses that require liquid to move great distances by their equipment. The largest of the shaft driven diaphragm pumps can provide pressures up to 2500 PSI and 36 GM flowrates. These can also be used to move hot and aggressive liquids.

Positive displacement pumps are quite useful which is why they are a utilized by many different types of industries. Finding the right one for you is a matter of defining your requirements, your budget, chemical compatibility, and the skill set of the future operator. Of those, the chemical compatibility may be the most important factor in what you buy as not all pumps can handle all chemicals.

Diaphragm Pumps versus Peristaltic: Which One Do I Choose?

When choosing a pump, consider your own needs. Both styles of pumps have advantages and disadvantages associated with their use. Peristaltic pumps are easier and simpler to use, at least for the novice, requiring much less experience before using. They can also be operated under conditions less than ideal. This is why many people choose this pump style over a diaphragm pump. Over the years, diaphragm pumps have gotten much easier to use. If you are an expert, you probably want to stay the course with the pump style because the cost to operate over time is less than the alternative.

Diaphragm pumps are more energy efficient, overcoming issues of line pressure is also easier than with the peristaltic, and there is far less danger of leakage. Although they require more experience to maintain than their competition, they are a better deal for most as they are a far more cost effective solution. Diaphragm metering pumps are good at pumping clean chemicals into high pressure system, while peristaltic take dirty fluids and pump them into low pressure systems. While diaphragm pumps are less than ideal when dealing with dirty fluids or trapped gasses, with a knowledgeable team they will still fulfill their role nicely and save you money. All new pumps will require you to spend more in maintenance than the cost of the pump over time, so when choosing which style of pump it is wise to consider the long-term. When you're looking at a range of $3,000 to $12,000 a year in operating costs, most people will want to lean towards the pump that is closer to $3,000.

Choosing between the two usually is a matter of cost, capability and the current breakdown of the system you are trying to maintain and use. Researching the two products and their manufacturer will enable you to have a good base of understanding when it comes to the installation and maintenance of these systems. Who will be maintaining it? What is your budget for the next five years? Be sure that you have a full understanding before investing money in a pump for your application.