How does a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump work?

 

How does a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump work?

A hydraulic diaphragm metering pump [a1] operates as a positive displacement pump, utilizing a flexible diaphragm actuated by a hydraulic system for fluid pumping. This mechanism involves a piston or plunger applying pressure to one side of the diaphragm, inducing flexion, and creating a vacuum on the opposite side. This design allows the pump to handle a diverse range of chemicals, including acids, bases, corrosives, viscous liquids, and slurries. The reciprocating piston, either in direct contact with the process fluid or separated by a diaphragm, generates the pumping action. Diaphragms are activated by hydraulic fluid situated between the piston and the diaphragm. These pumps find application in scenarios necessitating low flow rates, high system pressures, or precise and accurate feed rates. The pump's flow rate is adjustable through variations in stroke length, effective stroke length, or stroking speed, often facilitated by a micrometre screw adjustment. Industrial-grade metering pumps, when correctly installed, typically offer a steady-state accuracy of +/- 1.0% or better.

How Does a Hydraulic Diaphragm Metering Pump Ensure Accurate Dosing?

The hydraulic diaphragm metering pump is designed to deliver precise dosing through a combination of distinctive features and control mechanisms. As a positive displacement chemical dosing device, it displaces a fixed amount of fluid with each stroke, offering meticulous control over the pumped volume. The pump's flow rate is adjustable through various means, such as varying stroke length, effective stroke length, or stroking speed, often facilitated by a micrometre screw adjustment. Incorporating Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) enhances dosing accuracy, allowing for speed adjustments in response to changing process conditions. The pump's turn-down capabilities enable accurate chemical dosing across a spectrum of flows, adapting to variations in pressure and temperature. Remote adjustment of the flow rate is facilitated by actuators that modify stroke length or motor speed, ensuring precise chemical dosing even under fluctuating process conditions. These features collectively establish the hydraulic diaphragm metering pump as a reliable and accurate solution for chemical dosing applications.

Exploring the Crucial Role of Hydraulic Diaphragm Metering Pumps

Hydraulic diaphragm metering pumps play a pivotal role across diverse industries owing to their distinctive pumping mechanism and associated advantages. Renowned for their versatility, these pumps find application in a spectrum of sectors such as oil and gas production, refineries, chemical and petrochemical industries, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as food production and packaging, particularly in bottling processes. Precision is a hallmark of these pumps, offering meticulous hydraulic control with minimal maintenance requirements, as the robust diaphragms ensure consistently accurate metering. Safety is paramount, with features like a pressure relief valve guarding against overload and a diaphragm rupture warning system preventing the mixing of feed chemicals with hydraulic oil. The hydraulic fluid utilisation enhances efficiency by generating back pressure, reducing diaphragm stress, and extending its operational lifespan. Renowned for long-term reliability, these pumps are indispensable in the pharmaceutical sector, excelling in handling a broad spectrum of chemicals, including corrosive or viscous substances, and operating seamlessly at high pressures, making them essential for precise chemical dosing without wastage across varying flow rates.

How does a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump work?

The operational efficiency of a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump is orchestrated through a systematic sequence of movements and mechanisms. Initiated by the motor-driven motion of a piston or plunger, the first step involves creating pressure on one side of the diaphragm. This pressure prompts the diaphragm to flex, generating a vacuum on the opposite side that facilitates the intake of fluid into the pump chamber. As the piston retracts, the diaphragm returns to its initial position, expelling the fluid from the pump chamber into the discharge line—a decisive pumping action. Integral to the pump are inlet and outlet check valves that ensure the correct flow direction: the inlet valve opens during diaphragm-induced vacuum, permitting fluid entry, while the outlet valve opens as the diaphragm expels fluid, enabling its exit. The pump's flow rate can be finely tuned through adjustments to stroke length, effective stroke length, or stroking speed, typically facilitated by a micrometre screw. Acting as a protective medium, hydraulic fluid positioned between the piston and diaphragm safeguards the latter, prolonging its life and guaranteeing consistent and accurate metering. Through this meticulous process, the hydraulic diaphragm metering pump excels in the precise and consistent pumping of fluids, even amid fluctuating process conditions.

What is the function of metering pump?

Metering pumps, alternatively known as dosing pumps or proportioning pumps, hold a pivotal position across diverse industries, primarily attributed to their capability to deliver meticulous flow rates and uphold consistent dosing across a broad spectrum of operational conditions. Their fundamental role lies in the addition of small yet precisely measured volumes of liquids into various fluid streams or vessels. The significance of metering pumps spans multiple sectors, including water treatment, where they are instrumental in ensuring the precise dosing of chemicals for effective water treatment. In the chemical industry, these pumps find application for the accurate dosing of a variety of chemicals into the processing stream. In pharmaceuticals, metering pumps play a crucial role in the precise dosing of ingredients and chemicals during the manufacturing process. The food and beverage industry utilises these pumps for the exact dosing of additives, flavours, and other ingredients, ensuring precision in quantities. In the oil and gas sector, metering pumps are employed for injecting chemicals at high pressure into the reservoir, contributing to enhanced oil recovery. The selection of an appropriate metering pump is contingent on factors such as liquid viscosity, temperature, discharge pressure, flow rate, and the types of materials in contact with the liquid. Consisting of a pump head and motor, complemented by a manual or electronic adjustment system, the basic structure of a metering pump guarantees accuracy, ensuring the precise addition of measured amounts at the right juncture.

Idex: The leading manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic diaphragm metering pumps

For over 70 years, IDEX Corporation has been a pioneering force in diaphragm and dosing metering technologies, showcasing its expertise through the Pulsafeeder unit. Within this unit, the hydraulic diaphragm metering pumps stand out for their robust construction, reliable performance, and adherence to API-675 standards. A standout product in this line is the PULSAPRO 7120, a hydraulically balanced diaphragm metering pump renowned for positive displacement, leak-free operation, and engineered precision, ensuring enduring dependability. It also complies with API-675 standards, making it suitable for diverse industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemical processing, power generation, and water and wastewater treatment. Another noteworthy offering is the PULSAR Metering Pump, which represents a technological leap in chemical feed solutions with optimal features and streamlined selection processes. This pump promises a competitive cost structure, long-term value, and exceptional performance.

IDEX's commitment extends to tailored solutions for varied applications, ranging from basic manual pumps to advanced electronic counterparts equipped with features like remote control and monitoring. The metering pumps from IDEX are characterized by their diverse capabilities, encompassing high-pressure performance, precise dosing, and low flow rates.

Conclusion

The hydraulic diaphragm metering pump stands as a testament to precision, reliability, and efficiency in fluid dosing applications. Its positive displacement mechanism, facilitated by a hydraulic system, ensures accurate metering of a diverse range of chemicals across industries. The robust construction and meticulous engineering of these pumps, particularly exemplified by IDEX's PULSAPRO 7120 and PULSAR Metering Pump, make them indispensable in critical sectors like oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemical processing, power generation, and water treatment. The enduring dependability, compliance with industry standards, and innovative features, such as remote control and monitoring, underscore IDEX's commitment to providing tailored and advanced solutions for varied dosing needs. As a leading manufacturer, Pulsafeeder from IDEX continues to play a pivotal role in advancing metering pump technologies, ensuring precision, reliability, and efficiency in fluid handling processes across diverse applications.