Above all, their simple design and the ease of maintenance and servicing. At the core of every diaphragm pump lies its diaphragm, the vital component responsible for effectively transferring various types of media. Tapflo, a trusted name in the industry, supplies pumps equipped with high-quality diaphragms renowned for their durability and reliability.
Meeting Diverse Challenges with Advanced Materials
Diaphragms often face demanding conditions, including exposure to highly challenging liquids, such as:
- Chemically aggressive and corrosive liquids
- Liquids with varying viscosities, from very low to very high
- Abrasive fluids
- Liquids containing solid particles
- Shear-sensitive media
- Flammable fluids
Aggressive liquids are only one aspect of the challenges diaphragms encounter. Many also operate in the food industry, where strict regulations apply. In such cases, the diaphragm comes into direct contact with food products, necessitating rigorous testing and certification to meet safety standards.
Trust Experts to Select the Right Material
When selecting an industrial pump, it’s essential to seek advice from experts. Tapflo has over 40 years of experience in developing diaphragm pumps, including the revolutionary LEAP® (Low Energy Air Pump) technology. This innovation minimises internal energy losses in the air distributor of conventional pneumatic pumps, enabling operation at lower air pressures and delivering up to 70% energy savings compared to standard models.
Equally important is choosing the right materials for the pump’s construction. To ensure safe and efficient operation, diaphragms must be tailored to the specific medium being pumped. Tapflo offers a wide range of diaphragms crafted from various materials to meet diverse requirements:
- EPDM: Suitable for acids, alkalis, and industrial inorganic compounds.
- EPDM WHITE: Ideal for polar (water-soluble) chemical compounds and the food industry, such as ethanol production.
- PTFE (with EPDM or NBR backing): Designed for aggressive organic and inorganic chemicals, commonly used in sanitary applications.
- NBR: Handles non-polar (oil-soluble) organic compounds such as oils, fuels, and solvents.
- HNBR: Similar to NBR but capable of operating at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for heated oils where reduced viscosity is required.
- FKM: Suitable for complex chemical solvents used in industrial applications.
- PTFE TFM 1705B with EPDM backing: Effective for aggressive chemicals prone to penetrating standard PTFE, such as fluids containing H2S or CS2. Recommended choice for pumping monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene or xylene.
These options represent only a portion of Tapflo’s extensive diaphragm configurations. The company’s ability to customise solutions ensures that even the most demanding conditions are met.
Popular Choices and Customisable Options
One of the most sought-after diaphragm types is the PTFE diaphragm backed with EPDM or NBR. This configuration is frequently used in the food industry, where the wet side—constructed from PTFE—contacts the medium, while the dry side, made of EPDM, ensures durability. Additionally, the diaphragm metal core can be customized based on application and pump size. For instance:
- Brass cores are available for smaller pumps (sizes 9 and 20).
- Aluminium or carbon/stainless steel cores are used for larger pumps (sizes above 50).
- In explosive environments, such as mining, steel cores are the preferred choice.
While brass cores are lightweight, they are not suitable for high-load applications. For double diaphragm pumps (such as the TB series), the space between the wet and dry sides can be filled with a supporting fluid, such as oil. This approach is particularly advantageous when pumping reactive substances like lithium compounds, as the oil mitigates undesirable reactions and distributes force evenly across the diaphragm.
Maintenance and Longevity
As with any machinery, regular maintenance of diaphragm pumps is essential. Key components, including the air distributor, diaphragms, and check valves, should be inspected annually. If signs of wear are evident, prompt replacement is necessary. The lifespan of diaphragms depends on the pump’s operating speed—typically one or two cycles per second. Tapflo’s diaphragms are estimated to last up to 80 million cycles, a testament to their exceptional durability.
Another advantage of Tapflo’s diaphragms is their smooth surface, which facilitates easy cleaning through CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Sterilise-In-Place) systems. What is more, there are no dead zones where liquid might remain leading to bacteria growth.
When reliability and efficiency are paramount, trust the expertise of Tapflo. Their advanced diaphragm pump solutions and commitment to quality materials ensure performance tailored to your most challenging industrial needs.
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