Diaphragm pumps are the hidden heroes behind some of the most essential industrial applications. These prolific machines are used in a wide variety of processes across industries—agriculture, pharmaceutical, food processing, water treatment, construction, mining, and car manufacturing, to name a few.
If you’re wondering why pumps are crucial and how they help industries handle fluids, continue reading as we discuss the basics. Let’s start by understanding what they are.
Types of Diaphragm Pumps
For those who may not know, these devices are positive displacement pumps that use a diaphragm to create a compression chamber. The said chamber relies on back-and-forth movement to draw in and expel fluids through the pump.
Because of their versatility, diaphragm pump designs, types, and power sources vary. Each option caters to specific applications, with most industries using any of the following:
Single diaphragm pumps only have one pump chamber to control fluid movement. They’re great at managing simple liquids, gases, and slurries and work great in the food processing and pharmaceutical sectors.
Double diaphragm pumps are also known as membrane pumps. These units have two flexible membranes for handling a variety of fluids—from thin solvents to highly viscous liquids. Most are self-priming pumps, so they can start pumping even if they dry out.
Air-operated diaphragm (AOD) pumps draw power from pneumatic pressure or air pressure. You might know them as liquid diaphragm pumps or pneumatic diaphragm pumps.
AOD pumps have two flexible diaphragms, flap valves or ball valves, and a pumping chamber to transfer and pressurize fluids. Compressed air is applied to one chamber to push the liquid out while the other chamber draws in liquid as it retracts. Medical, food, chemical processing, and many different industries use them to perform several production tasks.
Electrically-operated diaphragm pumps excel at separating fluid and pump components. As such, they’re ideal for continuous and high-demand applications requiring precise fluid transfer and delivery.
Hydraulic diaphragm pumps rely on hydraulic fluid to operate the diaphragm. They’re ideal for applications requiring high pressure and flow rates, for instance, oil and gas, industrial cleaning, and wastewater treatment. Hydraulic diaphragm pumps have safety mechanisms like butterfly valves to manage pressure imbalances.
Each type above can handle a wide range of applications, contributing to operational efficiency. Curious about the advantages of diaphragm pumps? Head on to manufacturer websites like knf.com/en/us to learn more. Alternatively, you may continue reading to discover how different industries use these versatile devices.
Chemical and Fluid Transfer
Diaphragm pumps, in their simplest form, move substances from one location to another. Their ability to handle a wide range of fluids, including aggressive chemicals, corrosive liquids, and abrasive slurries, makes them suitable for transferring hazardous materials safely between storage tanks and reaction vessels.
The pharmaceutical industry, for instance, uses them for transferring acids, bases, solvents and other essential ingredients for drug manufacturing. Fluid transfers involving thick liquids or solids, for example, metal plating, ceramic production, printing and packaging, also use diaphragm pumps.
Chemical Mixing
Diaphragm pumps deliver accurate doses and consistent ratios. This functionality is crucial in chemical processing, where mixtures must be consistent every time. In the paint industry, for example, diaphragm pumps guarantee the production of high-quality paints, inks, and other coatings.
Chemical Dosing
Chemical dosing involves adding specific substances in controlled amounts. It’s crucial in many industrial applications, most notably in pharmaceutical production, where specialized pumps and control systems are necessary for product quality and manufacturing consistency.
As they’re capable of delivering small, accurate volumes of chemicals, diaphragm pumps are staples in water treatment facilities, where maintaining a specific chemical concentration is crucial. In medicine, they facilitate accurate doses of chemicals used in chemotherapy treatments or insulin for diabetes management.
Spraying Chemicals
You’re probably familiar with agricultural pumps used in irrigation systems. However, diaphragm pumps have their place in this sector. Low-pressure pumps are ideal for boom sprayers that apply pesticides and fertilizers to certain agricultural crops. Conversely, air blast spraying through high-pressure sprayers delivers chemical treatments in orchards and vineyards.
Speaking of high-pressure sprayers, automakers likewise use pumps to wash vehicle parts and for painting and coating car surfaces.
Pumping and Processing Viscous Liquids
High-viscosity fluids are thick fluids and, therefore, with high flow resistance. Imagine squeezing out tomato paste from a container.
Diaphragm pumps make food production easier. Manufacturers use them across different stages, including transferring and mixing ingredients and additives. Their design, which helps prevent contamination, makes them ideal for pumping viscous liquids like dairy products, juices, thick sauces, and other liquid ingredients. These machines don’t alter their properties and instead ensure accurate dosing to maintain product quality.
Their excellent chemical resistance capabilities also make diaphragm pumps ideal for the oil and gas industry—where thin, low-viscosity fluids like gasoline and thicker ones like crude oil are in constant use. Additionally, pumps are crucial for transferring hydrocarbons, which can either be in gas or liquid form, across various stages of exploration, drilling, refining and production.
Slurry and Sludge Handling
Diaphragm pumps have great operational capabilities. Apart from managing viscous fluids, they can handle abrasive materials like mining tailings and ore slurries, wastewater sludge, and construction mud. Their self-priming capacity is particularly great at handling these semi-solids.
Their simple yet robust design and durable materials can withstand harsh conditions and resist wear and tear, clogging, or damage. Still, they require proper maintenance and care.
Dewatering
Just as they can transfer fluids, diaphragm pumps can also remove water from construction sites, mines and excavations. This process, called dewatering, is crucial for safe and efficient operations.
Diaphragm pumps maintain optimal working conditions by preventing flooding and maintaining wall stability in open-pit mining. Construction projects rely on these devices for facilitating dry and stable conditions in excavation sites. Water removal likewise maintains the integrity of structural foundations.
Boost Machine Performance
Diaphragm pumps are essential in the manufacturing sector, where they circulate coolants and lubricants within the machines. In doing so, they prevent overheating, guarantee efficient performance, and extend the equipment’s lifespan. Car manufacturers use these devices to cool down cutting tools and workpieces, maintaining their integrity and the quality of machined parts.
Closing Words
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Diaphragm pumps are remarkably versatile and indispensable in modern industrial processes. Their ability to handle fluids with a wide range of viscosity and properties, including sensitive food products, makes handling liquids less challenging.
If you’re on the lookout for high-quality diaphragm pumps, it can be tempting to go with the popular choice. However, note that the diaphragm pump technology continues to advance, ready to provide businesses with bespoke solutions. Hence, explore customization options if you have specific needs. After all, like any other equipment, a diaphragm pump is only as good as the person picking and using it.
