If you are in the industrial sector, it is highly probably that your manufacturing and production processes are highly dependent on using a pump for transfer of chemical. This means that, you might be faced with the choice of selecting either a AODD Pump or a Centrifugal Pump.
Having been to the many manufacturing sectors in Malaysia like glove, oleochemical, pulp and paper, etc. the type of industrial pump that I consistently spot is the Air-Operated Diaphragm Pumps, or also known as the AODD pumps.
Here, we will delve into the 5 advantages of an AODD Pump over acentrifugal pump.
Dry Running
Dry running means to operate the pump in the absence of any flow of liquid. The foremost difference between an AODD Pump and a centrifugal pump is in the ability of the former to dry run. AODD Pumps are able to operate in dry run condition without suffering any damage, while a centrifugal pump will definitely breakdown under the same condition due to its need for the liquid to act as a lubricant and heat dissipater.
Self-priming
To prime a pump is to fill the pump with liquid. The ability to self-prime means that the pump is able to fill itself with liquid at the start of its operation. The pre-requisite of this is that a pump needs to be able to run dry. In short, a centrifugal pump’s inability to run dry also means that it needs help in priming.
If the setup requires the pump to operate at a negative suction condition, the AODD Pump would be your best option. While the centrifugal pump can definitely do the job, the work required to first prime it and to prevent it from losing the prime can be quite troublesome.
Versatility
Is the liquid you want to transfer abrasive and viscous? Does it also contain solid particles? If yes, then give the job to an AODD Pump. The AODD Pump is adept at transferring difficult liquids due to its robust design compared to the centrifugal pump.
For certain chemicals like polymer, centrifugal pumps would degrade the quality of the polymer due to high shear. AODD Pump on the other hand has low shear, ensuring that the polymer does its job effectively in the waste water treatment process.
Cavitation Tolerance
Cavitation happens when the fluid pressure drops below the vapor pressure, causing millions of air bubbles to form, and then rapidly burst, causing severe impact onto the pump, damaging it in the process.
A centrifugal pump is very susceptible to damage by cavitation due to its high velocity operation, creating huge difference in pressure between the eye and the tip of the impeller. Hence, it is highly important to ensure sufficient pressure at the suction side of the pump.
If this cannot be guaranteed, then the AODD Pump would be a safer option as their operating principle reduces chances of cavitation occurring, making it more suitable in cavitation-prone applications.
No Electrical Installation
At hazardous environment, where there is a risk of explosion, the air-powered nature of the AODD Pump makes it a better candidate than the centrifugal pump that runs on electricity.
Selecting the right pump for the right condition goes a long way in ensuring lower operation downtime, lower maintenance cost and higher energy efficiency. The AODD Pump is one of the best choices you can make in majority of the applications.
If you are looking for AODD Pumps to bolster your production, look no further than the 100% Italian-made Fluimac Phoenix AODD Pump.
Read more: 5 Steps to Selecting the Right AODD Pump
