Advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic diaphragm pumps and common failures

Pneumatic diaphragm pumps use compressed air as the power source, for a variety of corrosive liquids, with particles of liquid, high viscosity, volatile, flammable, highly toxic liquids, can be pumped out.

As the name implies, pneumatic double diaphragm pumps use compressed air rather than an electric motor to operate. This unique operating characteristic allows them to be used in situations where the use of electric pumps is not recommended (for example, when pumping flammable liquids). However, these types of pumps must still be installed and maintained correctly to operate safely.

When the pump is running, this cycle is repeated over and over again, resulting in a pumping action. Specially designed check valves control the flow of fluid into and out of the pump's central chamber as the pump circulates, ensuring that the fluid flows in only one direction.

What are the uses of an air operated double diaphragm pump?

The pneumatic double diaphragm pump has good suction characteristics, is self-priming in most fluids and can be run dry. It can handle low to easily medium viscosity fluids (including those containing large amounts of suspended solids) and can be used to pump corrosive and flammable liquids.

Due to their simple design, air-operated double diaphragm pumps are relatively inexpensive to purchase and operate, and combined with their efficiency and accuracy, the stainless steel versions are ideally suited to certain food-grade sanitary processing applications, including filling, dispensing and metering fluids, and as de-watering.

Advantages of air operated double diaphragm pumps

Unlike most other pump designs, air-operated diaphragm pumps can idle for long periods of time without damage.

Due to their pneumatic design, air-operated diaphragm pumps are ideally suited for use in hazardous situations (for example, in environments where flammable materials are present), as the operating mechanism of these types of pumps does not generate sparks.

The design of the pump separates the process fluid from potentially sensitive pump components.

Air operated diaphragm pumps diaphragms are available in a wide range of materials to cover a wide range of temperature and chemical compatibility applications.

They are made from a wide range of metallic and non-metallic materials

Many air operated diaphragm pumps are designed for sanitary and food grade processing.