Diaphragm Pumps for Reliable Industrial Fluid Handling
Moving fluids through an industrial process is not always as simple as pumping water from one location to another. Manufacturing facilities may need to transfer corrosive chemicals, abrasive slurries, viscous materials, paints, coatings, oils, wastewater, or fluids containing suspended solids.
Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps provide an adaptable solution for many of these demanding applications.
Unlike many conventional pumps, diaphragm pumps have no dynamic seals in the fluid section. They can handle a wide variety of fluids, operate at variable flow rates and pressures, self-prime, and even run dry without damage. ARO PRO Series pneumatic diaphragm pumps are available in numerous sizes, materials, and diaphragm configurations to match different industrial applications.
Choosing the correct pump is critical, however. Flow requirements are only part of the equation. Fluid chemistry, viscosity, solids content, temperature, piping, pressure, and wetted materials all influence pump selection.
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Why Use an Air-Operated Diaphragm Pump?
An AODD Pump uses compressed air to move diaphragms back and forth, alternately drawing fluid into one chamber and discharging it from another.
The simple operating principle provides several important advantages.
ARO identifies the main benefits of its PRO Series pumps as:
- Seal less design
- Self-priming operation
- Ability to run dry without damage
- Low material shear
- Portability
- Easy installation
- Straightforward maintenance
PRO Series pumps can handle fluids ranging from clean, low-viscosity liquids to abrasive, corrosive, medium-viscosity materials. They can also pass suspended solids without damaging the pump, as long as the solids fall within the particular model's specifications.
That versatility permits one basic pumping technology to solve fluid-handling problems across many industries.
ARO PRO Series Diaphragm Pumps
The ARO PRO Series is designed for general industrial and OEM fluid-handling applications.
Rather than providing one pump for every situation, the series includes metallic and non-metallic pumps in multiple sizes and material combinations. That makes it possible to match pump construction more closely to the fluid and operating environment.
The PRO Series covers a broad performance range. Depending on pump size and configuration, ARO lists flow capability from as little as 0.26 GPM up to 275 GPM, with fluid pressure adjustable up to 123 psi for larger models.
Available sizes include pumps from 1/2 inch through 3 inches.
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Metallic PRO Series Diaphragm Pumps
Metallic diaphragm pumps are a good choice for many general manufacturing and industrial fluid-transfer applications.
ARO PRO Series metallic models are available with pump bodies including:
1. Aluminum
2. Cast Iron
3. Stainless Steel
The 1-inch PRO Series metallic pump combines a compact design with an air motor built for efficient operation. ARO's air-valve design is intended to provide reliable, no-stall operation, while bolted construction helps provide leak-resistant fluid handling. The design also provides access to ball checks and fluid caps for maintenance.
Larger metallic models notably increase flow capacity. 1-1/2” pump has flow rates up to 90 GPM, 2” models up to 172 GPM, and 3” models up to 237 GPM. Typical uses include fluid transfer, filling, recirculation and batching.
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Non-Metallic PRO Series Diaphragm Pumps
If chemical resistance is the primary concern, consider a non-metallic pump.
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ARO offers PRO Series non-metallic pumps in materials including polypropylene and PVDF, depending on the model. Multiple diaphragm elastomers are also available, allowing the pump's wetted components to match the fluid being transferred. For example, the 1-inch non-metallic PRO Series pump delivers maximum flow up to 47 GPM, while the 1-1/2-inch model reaches 100 GPM. Larger non-metallic configurations provide still greater flow capacity. Non-metallic pumps can be particularly useful for chemical transfer, water treatment, plating, cleaning solutions, and other applications involving fluids that may attack conventional metals. |
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Selecting the Correct Diaphragm Material
Pump body material is only part of chemical compatibility. The diaphragms, balls, seats, O-rings, and other components exposed to the fluid must also be compatible with the material being transferred.
ARO PRO Series pumps feature diaphragm materials including:
- PTFE
- Santoprene
- Hytrel
- Nitrile
- Neoprene
- EPR
- Viton
Available materials vary by pump model.
The best material relies on factors such as fluid chemistry, concentration, operating temperature, abrasion, and application requirements.
Selecting an incompatible elastomer can result in swelling, cracking, premature diaphragm failure, leakage, reduced pump performance, or contamination.
That is why you should evaluate chemical compatibility before selecting a diaphragm pump, not after a premature pump failure.
[Request a Diaphragm Pump Chemical Compatibility Evaluation]
Increase Throughput with the Correct Pump Size
A bigger pump does not necessarily mean better production.
Avoid unnecessary switching on and off of large pumps and compressed air. A pump that is too small may be forced to cycle too frequently to meet demand, which can increase wear and tear on components and limit production.
It is better to determine the process's actual flow requirements.
Things to think about include:
- Gallons per minute required
- Pipe length total
- Vertical lift
- Discharge pressure
- Fluid viscosity
- Diameter of pipe and hose
- Fittings and limitations
- Solids content
- Transfer time needed
- Production cycle
For example, if a process needs to empty a 500-gallon tank in a certain production window, it is not simply a matter of picking a pump with a theoretical maximum flow. The full fluid system affects the real output.
Throughput can be limited by the existing pump, piping, controls, or installation, and fluid handling analysis can identify restrictions.
[Inquire About a Fluid Handling Flow Analysis]
Reduce Compressed Air Costs
Compressed air is convenient and makes AODD pumps extremely flexible, but it is also a significant operating expense.
The goal is to move the required amount of fluid without consuming more compressed air than necessary.
ARO PRO Series pumps allow you to adjust flow and discharge pressure through the air supply using an air filter/regulator and needle valve.
Correct pump sizing can help avoid running a pump unnecessarily fast. Proper air-line sizing, pressure regulation, and elimination of restrictions can further improve system performance.
When evaluating a diaphragm pump, consider not only its purchase price but also the amount of compressed air required to perform the job over thousands of operating hours.
Reducing air consumption can produce savings long after the initial pump purchase.
Reduce Downtime and Increase Pump Service Life
One of the big advantages of AODD technology is ease of maintenance.
The PRO Series pumps are designed for serviceability. The various models include service kits for both air and fluid sections and are designed for easy access to parts such as ball checks and fluid caps.
Instead of repeatedly changing parts, you can increase the service life by addressing the causes of premature wear.
Typical considerations include:
- The right diaphragm compound
- Proper pump sizing
- Excessive cycle rate
- Abrasive fluid contents
- Air quality
- Excessive operating pressure
- Restricted suction or discharge piping
- Improper installation
For example, running an undersized pump near its maximum capacity all the time can cause more wear than a properly-sized pump running at a moderate rate.
Standardizing pumps and repair kits can also help facilities reduce spare-parts inventory and get equipment back into service faster.
Handle Abrasive Fluids and Suspended Solids
AODD pumps are particularly useful when the fluid contains particles that would create problems for other pump technologies.
Different PRO Series models can pass specified sizes of suspended solids. For example, ARO's 1-1/2-inch metallic and non-metallic PRO Series pumps can handle suspended solids up to approximately 1/4 inch in diameter.
That capability makes diaphragm pumps useful for slurries, wastewater, ceramic materials, coatings, and other solids-containing fluids.
Correct pump sizing remains important because particle size, concentration, and abrasiveness can affect both performance and component life.
Where Are Diaphragm Pumps Used?
The versatility of AODD pumps makes them useful across a wide range of industries.
General Manufacturing
Manufacturers use diaphragm pumps for transferring oils, coolants, cleaning solutions, process chemicals, wastewater, and other production fluids.
Chemical Processing
The availability of metallic and non-metallic bodies combined with numerous diaphragm materials makes AODD pumps suitable for many corrosive chemical-transfer applications when properly configured.
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Paints and CoatingsDiaphragm pumps can transfer paints, inks, coatings, resins, and related materials while their low-shear operation can help preserve sensitive fluids. |
Water and WastewaterTheir ability to handle solids and dirty fluids makes diaphragm pumps useful for wastewater transfer, filtration systems, sludge, chemical dosing support, and treatment operations. |
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Ceramics and Abrasive Materials
Slurries and abrasive fluids require pumps that can handle suspended solids and challenging media.
Mining, Oil and Gas, and Energy
Rugged diaphragm pumps can handle fluid transfer, dewatering, chemical handling, lubrication, and other demanding applications.
Other markets identified by ARO include printing, packaging, pulp and paper, adhesives and sealants, automotive, lithium-ion battery manufacturing, marine, and general industrial processing.
When Should You Evaluate Your Fluid Handling System?
A pump does not have to stop completely before it starts costing money.
Several symptoms can indicate that a fluid handling system deserves a closer look:
- Transfer times have increased.
- Pumps run continuously at high cycle rates.
- Diaphragms fail prematurely
- Air consumption has increased.
- Pumps frequently stall or lose prime.
- Fluid leakage occurs
- Production has outgrown the existing pump.
- Maintenance costs are increasing.
- Chemical compatibility is uncertain.
- Product or process fluids have changed.
- Pumps are frequently being rebuilt or replaced.
The pump itself may not always be the problem. Undersized piping, restrictions, poor air supply, improper materials, or an application change can all affect performance.
Inquire About a Fluid Handling Flow Analysis
Simply putting in a larger pump won’t necessarily fix the underlying problem if your fluid transfer process is limiting production.
A complete application can be analyzed in a Fluid Handling Flow Analysis, including:
- Flow rate requirements
- Size and type of pump
- Fluid viscosity
- Discharge and intake conditions
- Sizing of hoses and pipes
- Air pressure and consumption
- Cycling rate
- Distance of transfer
- Vertical lift
- Production needs
The objective is to identify the bottleneck and get the needed material through the system faster.
A carefully selected, properly set up pump can increase throughput, lower energy costs, reduce downtime, and lengthen equipment life.
[Inquire About a Fluid Handling Flow Analysis]
Request a Diaphragm Pump Chemical Compatibility Evaluation
Chemical compatibility is as important as flow.
Our fluid handling specialists consider the fluid being transferred, the operating conditions, and the existing equipment to help identify appropriate pump-body, diaphragm, ball, seat, and seal materials.
A Diaphragm Pump Chemical Compatibility Evaluation is particularly useful when introducing a new chemical, changing concentrations or temperatures, experiencing premature component failures, or replacing a pump in a corrosive application.
Choosing the appropriate materials before installation can help avoid leakage, premature wear, unplanned downtime, and unnecessary replacement costs.
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Find the Right Diaphragm Pump for Your Application
ARO PRO Series diaphragm pumps are a flexible pumping solution developed for a wide range of applications—from simple fluid transfer to demanding chemical, abrasive, and solids-handling applications.
The trick is to match the pump to the job.
Do not select a diaphragm pump just by the port size or maximum flow; look at the whole system – fluid chemistry, required output, pressure, viscosity, solids, piping, compressed-air needs, wetted materials, maintenance and expected service life.
Our fluid handling experts can help select the pump and configuration that best balances throughput, reliability, chemical compatibility, operating cost, and service life.
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[Shop ARO PRO Series Pumps]
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[Inquire About a Fluid Handling Flow Analysis]
[Request a Diaphragm Pump Chemical Compatibility Evaluation]