How to Calculate AODD Pump Flow Rate

In order to select the appropriate air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pump, it&#;s important to understand the required flow rate in order to achieve maximum AODD pump efficiency. 

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Diaphragm pump flow rate is the volume of fluid you can transport within a given time. Knowing the diaphragm pump flow rate will help you:

• Assess if an existing pump isn&#;t working efficiently
• Determine the correct pump for your application
• Allows for efficiency calculations to occur showing cost savings

If you desire a higher flow rate, you&#;ll need a larger pump with larger port sizes. The higher the flow rate, the faster your job gets done. This ensures deadlines are met and allows increased production. When more product is produced in a shorter amount of time, profits soar. That's why it's important to purchase diaphragm pumps that require less air to operate and offer high flow rates.

Air-Operated Diaphragm Pump Flow Rate Calculation

There are two types of flow you can measure: total fluid that has passed by a sensor or time-based data like gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per minute (lpm). What kind of pump flow rate do you want to measure? 

There are many tools and accessories you can buy to measure the flow of fluid within a pipe. Common types include electromagnetic, ultrasonic, turbine and magnetic&#;each with their own pros and cons. If your system is not equipped with a flow meter but you&#;d still like an idea of flow, there are other ways to determine this.

First, you need to understand how many strokes the pump is making per minute. There are several apps that can track your count, or you can simply count how many happen in 10 seconds and then multiply that value by six. You will then reference the pump data sheet (performance curve and specifications). A pump performance curve will help you to determine a pump's ability to produce flow under the conditions that affect pump performance, such as air pressure. See below an example of an AODD pump performance curve.

Above the AODD pump curve, you will see displacement per stroke, which is 0.49 gal. (1.85 L). 

A stroke is one shift of the diaphragm assembly evacuating fluid out of one chamber. 

A cycle is two strokes or one on each side of the pump. To get the gpm of your pump, multiply the number of strokes by the displacement per stroke. 

AODD pump flow rates can be controlled to produce from zero to maximum flow simply by increasing or decreasing airflow or pressure.

Standard 1:1 ratio AODD pumps can produce pressures up to 125 psi (8.6 bar). With flow rates of up to 280 gpm (1,060 lpm), AODD pumps provide a wide range of flows without costly, sophisticated controls. 

Specialty pumps, such as 2:1 high-pressure units can produce pressures up to 240 psi (16.5 bar). High-pressure units are usually used in applications requiring greater force, such as injecting into a pressurized line.

Sizing an AODD Pump

To get the greatest efficiency and longevity when sizing an AODD pump, it is common to go up one porting size if possible.

For example, if you want to move 40 gpm (151 lpm) with 10 feet (3 meters) of head with a 1 inch pump, most AODD manufacturers on the market could achieve that flow rate pumping water. Unfortunately, the pump would have to work at near its maximum capacity and stroke rate, leading to greater wear and reduced AODD pump efficiency.

By going up to the next pump size, you can run the pump significantly slower (at reduced strokes per minute), which will extend the life of the pump and enhance efficiencies (i.e., reduced air consumption).

Need a Pump?

When it comes to choosing your pumping partner, make sure you select a manufacturer with deep pumping experience and a track record of maximizing AODD pump efficiency. Versamatic makes pumping easy with its complete line of bolted metal, bolted plastic and clamped metal AODD pumps offered in a wide range of sizes and flow rates. If you have questions about any pumping solutions or diaphragm pump flow rates, feel free to contact us or find a local distributor. 

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If there&#;s one thing a plant maintenance manager can&#;t tolerate, it&#;s downtime.

Production stoppages mean lost revenue. To avoid downtime, plant personnel must keep the plant&#;s systems and machinery running smoothly and handle all planned maintenance, upgrades and emergency repairs as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, one of the common pieces of equipment in plants&#;Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps&#;is designed to make maintenance simple and cost-effective. Still, an experienced plant maintenance manager will look for ways to optimize AODD pump performance to keep downtime to a minimum and improve pump efficiency.

Before steps to increase reliability can be taken, it&#;s best to know the basic components of an AODD pump:

In this AODD pump diagram, A and B are the diaphragms, 1&#;4 are the ball valves and I and O the inlet and outlet ports. An AODD pump uses compressed air to power the repeated back-and-forth motion of the diaphragms, which are mounted on C, a connecting rod. This continuous motion forces liquid out of one chamber for discharge while the other chamber fills with liquid.

Goto Huakai Anti-Corrosion Equipment to know more.

Tips for Maximizing AODD Pump Efficiency

1. Choose the Right Pump Position Within the System

A pump's location within the system is critical to its performance and longevity. This is because AODD pumps can be used in three main ways:

• As suction lift: AODD pumps are self-priming and can pull a suction lift up to 32&#; (9.8m), so the pump must be placed above the fluid, which is then pulled into the unit. Ideally, the length of the suction pipe is as short as possible. This will help with priming and reduce stress on the pump&#;s diaphragms.
• As submerged suction: AODD pumps can be submerged in the fluid that is being pumped. Before submersion, however, you need to ensure that all pump materials are compatible with the fluid and that the pump's air exhaust is above the fluid level. You also want to make sure that a suction screen is used if solids are present in the fluid. This ensures that solids larger than the pump can handle (pass) don't enter the unit.
• As flooded suction: In this scenario, there is fluid pressure coming into the AODD pump and the pump is below the fluid being pumped. It's important to place the pump as close to the fluid vessel as possible and reduce the length of the suction line. This will reduce diaphragm stress and valve ball chatter. Controlling the fluid pressure coming into the suction side of the pump is also important; ideally, it should be less than 10&#; of pressure. If the inlet pressure is greater than 10&#; (3.04 m), you should consult the pump manufacturer.

2. Select the Right Pump Construction Materials

AODD pump material selection will increase the reliability, performance and life of a pump, decreasing downtime and increasing profitability. However, these fluid characteristics must be considered before choosing a pump's material:

• Temperature
• Specific gravity (product weight)
• Abrasiveness
• Viscosity
• Overall chemical compatibility

Understanding the pump's external environment is also critical to an AODD pump's longevity. For example, if its environment contains fumes, the entire pump, including the air side, must be compatible. If the pump will be exposed to UV light from the sun, plastic pumps may not be ideal. And, if you're pumping abrasive material, you may want to choose harder casting and seat materials. In every case, you should consult the pump's manufacturer for details.

3. Size Up for Longevity and Efficiency

According to the Hydraulic Institute, pumping systems account for over 40% of industrial energy use. Energy saved equals dollars saved when it comes to powering pumps.

AODD pump up-sizing is one strategy to reduce AODD pump energy consumption. When you increase the size of the pump for the same desired flow, it increases the pump's efficiency&#;ensuring the maximum volume of liquid is pumped per amount of compressed air consumed. 

In other words, if a pump is running to the far right hand of the curve (i.e., the pump is running flat out) to produce the desired flow rate, going up one pump size can allow you to shift the performance point to the left on the curve. This means the pump will cycle less and you'll reduce energy consumption and extend pump longevity while getting the same desired output.

Displacement per stroke (or cycle) is also important to note, as there's a direct correlation in pump longevity and efficiency. In many cases, choosing a pump with greater displacement per stroke will reduce wear on the unit. 

Using a larger unit can also reduce wear when pumping abrasive liquids, such as ceramic slip. By upsizing the AODD pump and running it slower, you reduce fluid velocity, which, in turn, reduces abrasive wear.

4. Consider the Compressed Air Supply

Air filters/regulators play a crucial role in the performance of AODD pumps by preventing wet and contaminated air from entering the pump. When outside air is drawn into the compressor, it naturally contains moisture that can freeze when it expands inside the pump. The resulting ice can cause the pump to stall. Air filters/regulators protect the air valve of the pump by removing solids and liquid contaminants from the air lines while providing additional precise pump control.

The air filter/regulator can also help you start the pump in a gradual "soft" manner, which creates less stress on the pump's components.

5. Start the Pump Slowly When Pumping Fluids With Settling Solids

AODD pumps are designed to handle solids and slurries. When handling fluids containing settling solids, it's important to start the pump up slowly to allow the settled-out solids to evacuate prior to the pump being operated at full flow and pressure. If this doesn't happen, the settled solids can cause damage to pump components.

6. Control Pulsation From Pumping

Installing diaphragm pump surge suppressors virtually eliminates undesirable pulsation from pumping. It also provides virtually pulse-free discharge flow for steadier pressure with less system vibration (vibration can cause damage to the discharge system and loosen connections) and noise.

7. Install Liquid Level Controllers

Completely air-driven (i.e., pneumatic) and ATEX-approved for simple, safe pump control, liquid level controllers protect AODD pumps from inefficient dry running conditions. They essentially turn pumps on and off for intermittent applications.  

Common applications for liquid level controllers are: 

• Sump
• Dewatering
• Fluid Transfer
• Tank Filling

8. Choose Replacement Parts Wisely

When in need of replacement parts, order directly from the pump's manufacturer. This reduces downtime and multiple maintenance sessions, as manufacturers make parts specifically to fit their own pumps. Using replacement parts from a different source also will invalidate your pump&#;s warranty.

One-Stop Shopping&#;From Sales to Maintenance

AODD pumps are an investment that will pay off with proper installation and maintenance.

For almost 40 years, Versamatic has been one of the largest and trusted manufacturers of world-class, AODD pumps and replacement parts for a broad, global customer base.

Count on the consistency, reliability and trouble-free operation of Versamatic&#;s bolted metal, bolted plastic and clamped metal AODD pumps offered in a wide range of sizes and flow rates. 

A full line of specialty products and support from a team of design and engineering experts with decades of pumping experience keeps your process running smoothly and efficiently. Reach out today or find the closest Versamatic AODD pump distributor.