Diaphragm Pumps Review

Diaphragm pumps are also classified as positive displacement pumps because the diaphragm
acts as a limited displacement piston. The pump will function when a diaphragm is forced into
reciprocating motion by mechanical linkage, compressed air, or fluid from a pulsating, external
source. The pump construction eliminates any contact between the liquid being pumped and the
source of energy. This eliminates the possibility of leakage, which is important when handling
toxic or very expensive liquids. Disadvantages include limited head and capacity range, and the
necessity of check valves in the suction and discharge nozzles. An example of a diaphragm pump
is shown below.

Double Diaphragm Pumps Review

Double Diaphragm Pumps are classified as positive displacement pumps because the diaphragms
acts as a limited displacement piston. The pump is design and constructed such that two opposed
diaphragms are driven by the reciprocating motion by mechanical linkage, compressed air, or
fluid from a pulsating, external source. Double diaphragm pumps are design to delivery twice the
flow of single diaphragm type pumps.
The pump and diaphragms construction eliminates any contact between the liquid being pumped
and the source of energy. This eliminates the possibility of leakage, which is important when
handling toxic or very expensive liquids. Disadvantages include limited head and capacity range,

and the necessity of check valves in the suction and discharge nozzles. An example of a
diaphragm pump is shown below.
Positive Displacement Pump Characteristic Curve
Positive displacement pumps deliver a definite volume of liquid for each cycle of pump
operation. Therefore, the only factor that effects flow rate in an ideal positive displacement pump
is the speed at which it operates. The flow resistance of the system in which the pump is
operating will not effect the flow rate through the pump. Figure 21 shows the characteristic curve
for a positive displacement pump.
The dashed line within the illustration below, shows actual positive displacement pump
performance. This line reflects the fact that as the discharge pressure of the pump increases,
some amount of liquid will leak from the discharge of the pump back to the pump suction,
reducing the effective flow rate of the pump. The rate at which liquid leaks from the pump
discharge to its suction is called slippage.

Positive Displacement Pump Protection

Positive displacement pumps are normally fitted with relief valves on the upstream side of their
discharge valves to protect the pump and its discharge piping from over pressurization. Positive
displacement pumps will discharge at the pressure required by the system they are supplying.
The relief valve prevents system and pump damage if the pump discharge valve is shut during
pump operation or if any other occurrence such as a clogged strainer blocks system flow.
Hydrostatic Pump Review
Hydrostatic Pumps, are used to convert fluid power into mechanical power. Hydrostatic pumps
are used as a source of fluid flow. When the pressure within the associated system builds to the
level required to over come system mechanical load(s) then the pressure will drop as the fluid
begins to travel through devices performing mechanical work.

Many Hydrostatic pumps and motors are reversible. Not all pumps are capable of operating in
opposing directions of rotation due to design limitation of seals and rotational mechanism.
Hydrostatic pumps are available and designed to operate at most desired speeds.
Metering Pump Review
Metering Pumps are positive displacement type pumps which deliver a specific amount fluid
into a system. Metering pumps are available in a wide variety of flow, pressure, and fluid
compatibility. Metering pumps may be driven by an variable or fixed velocity electric motor or a
reciprocating engine power take-off (PTO). Pump metering rate may be fixed or adjustable.
Metering pumps are available with both mechanical and electronic flow / metering control
mechanisms.
Metering pumps are used when one or more of the following are required within a fluid system:

Contamination or leakage between fluid systems must be controlled.

Flow must be specifically controlled relative to discharge pressure.
Fluid output capacity must be accurate.
Fluids system isolation must be present.

Metering pump performance selection considerations:

Downturn ration accuracy, also called range, which is the pumps capacity to maintain the
required repeatability on various operating conditions.
Flow performance linearity, which is the metering pumps ability to achieve performance
relative to a predicted or measured performance curve. This performance curve is
normally pressure vs metering rate. The lower the percentage of the pumps deviation the
more accurate the pump is.
Steady state accuracy is the metering pumps ability to maintain a constant flow while
continuously running. Normally this is specified in percentage.
Pump isolation requirements of the pump should be matched to the fluid system isolation
requirements.