News Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Chemical Metering Pumps

Sizing your chemical metering pump and determining injection rate (#2 of 8)

This is the second of eight articles in the series Sizing & Selecting the Right Chemical Metering Pump. Read the previous article “Planning for your Application.”

A metering pump is used to inject chemicals precisely into a process to achieve a certain desired result. That result could range from a certain amount by volume or mass of fertilizer to a definite amount of acid into water to achieve a certain pH balance. Or it could even be a certain amount of disinfectant into water to achieve a predetermined amount of PPM (parts per million).

The actual injection rate or the rate at which the chemical needs to be added depends upon the application, desired result and also the concentration of the chemical. For example, in case of the amount of chlorine the formula for calculation of the chemical injection rate is:

IR = 0.006xQxC / S

Where Q – System flow rate in GPM, C – Desired PPM for the chemical and S – Concentration of the chlorine bleach in %

There are many methods to arrive at the desired chemical injection rate and usually engineers will specify the exact rate using such methods based upon the application. Once you know the rate of chemical injection which is usually given in Gallons Per Hour (GPH), you need to then start the process of sizing the pump.

The second most important piece of information is the pressure that the pump needs to overcome to inject the chemical. If you are injecting into a pipe then the chemical pump needs to be able to overcome the pressure in the pipe as well as the pressure drop in the chemical lines from the chemical pump to the injection point. A pump injecting into a pipe […]

By Al|March 30th, 2016|Metering Pumps Tips, News, Selecting the Right Pump|0 Comments

Planning for Your Chemical Metering Pump’s Application (#1 of 8)

This is the first of eight articles in the series Sizing & Selecting the Right Chemical Metering Pump.

Before we even start with sizing the pump, it is important to plan the application. We take into consideration various things such as the chemical, its physical and chemical properties, storage tank and its location, day use tank and its location relative to the pump and more especially its suction port, the injection quill and its distance from the pump, electrical power requirement etc.
Liquid to be pumped

The first thing we take into consideration is the properties of the liquid we are pumping.

Viscosity – If the liquid is viscous it would need to be pump with a slow velocity to allow for the flow of that liquid. If you pump too fast the liquid could cavitate or stall the flow.

Temperature – If the liquid is too hot or too cold it will affect the rest of the pump components. A very hot liquid could need a cooling jacket or materials that can withstand those temperatures. A liquid such as chocolate will solidify and clog the pump and may require a heating jacket to keep it flowing.

Specific Gravity – Heavier liquids will require flow capacity adjustments.

Off Gassing – Chemicals such as Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) could generate gas bubbles and cause air lock in the pump. These may require a de-gassing valve to be incorporated in the diaphragm head.

Concentration – Many times chemicals are diluted with water. A 10% concentration will have very different physical and chemical properties compared to a 50% concentration solution.

Particles – Particles in the liquid could clog the pump internals as well as the pipe. So design will have to keep in mind that the smallest areas in the pump will pass the […]

By Al|March 22nd, 2016|Metering Pumps Tips, News, Selecting the Right Pump|0 Comments

Sizing & Selecting the Right Chemical Metering Pump

In 2016 we will start a series of articles which address the very important issue of how to size, select, install and use a metering pump properly. As we all know, chemical metering pump applications are sometimes very complex and require planning and preparation from early on to ensure a successful installation. This series of articles are divided into the following eight sections:

1. Planning: Before we even start with sizing the pump, it is important to plan the application. We take into consideration various things such as the chemical, its physical and chemical properties, storage tank and its location, day use tank and its location relative to the pump and more especially its suction port, the injection quill and its distance from the pump, electrical power requirement etc.

2. Sizing: Here we start with the flow requirements and how much back pressure we encounter in the injection process. We also take into consideration the physical properties such as viscosity and density, and compensate for it. Dosage variation demands are also very important considerations.

3. Selecting the right pump: This is where you understand the different choices you have in types and brands of pumps and how to differentiate between them. We will also discuss life cycle cost versus purchase price of a pump.

4. Selecting the right material: Most chemicals are corrosive in nature and they require selection of material that is resistant to chemical attack. Knowing the exact chemical, its temperature and concentration is critical in selecting the right material.

5. Configuration: Do you want a leak detection system? Is the environment filled with flammable gasses or liquids in which case? What type of connections do you need for suction and discharge piping? These are the questions which will be addressed in this […]

By Al|March 18th, 2016|Metering Pumps Tips, News, Selecting the Right Pump|0 Comments

A Simple Solution for Degassing Problems

AquFlow Series 1000

Some chemicals are susceptible to giving off gas while being moved or pumped. This challenge is especially complicated when this gas could get trapped in a small volume pump. Then the pump would not move any liquid as the gas trapped in the pump chamber would expand and contract with each stroke without moving any liquid. Fortunately, this is an issue AquFlow can easily overcome.

We have a special degassing diaphragm head which senses and expels the gas through a valve at the top where the gas usually tends to rise. This special design of the degassing head is very popular among municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities that use 12% sodium hypochlorite. With our assistance in proper pipe layout and a degassing head the possibility of degassing is minimized.

Parts schematic of a degassing diaphragm head and suction lift

AquFlow over the last 42 years have come up with many such specialized industry solutions such as IVAX (Intelligent Verification and Control System), tubular pump for viscous liquids, etc. Please visit our website to learn about various configurations and newest product developments at www.aquflow.com

By Al|April 27th, 2015|Metering Pumps Tips, News, Products, Pump Accessories|0 Comments

Skid-Mounted Systems Built Specifically for You

AquFlow offers customized ChemInjector systems based on your specified applications. We provide everything you need for an accurate chemical injector system. Most assemblies are skid-mounted, which is then placed at the site. Some chemical injector systems are too large for skid mounting. For very large systems, AquFlow provides on-site assembly as well as the option for mobile chemical injector stations.

Features:
* Systems are customized for you based on your chemical dispensing requirements.
* A complete turnkey system that can perform dependably and durably with minimal down time.
* Every component that goes into the system is pre-matched and tested so there are no incompatibility issues.
* On-site assembly available for systems that are too big for skid mounting.
* Mobile systems mounted on carts / trailers or other vehicles for covering long distances.

For more information on our standard ChemInjector packages and other available skid systems, contact our sales team at sales@aquflow.com.

By Al|March 26th, 2015|Case Studies, Metering Pumps Tips, News, Products, Pump Accessories|0 Comments

Four Differentiating Facts – Solenoid Vs Hydraulic Diaphragm Metering Pumps

Hydraulic Diaphragm Series 900

Solenoid Series 200

1. Cost of Ownership: While it is true that solenoid pumps are often less than half the purchase price of hydraulic diaphragm metering pumps, the total cost of ownership tells a completely different story. Hydraulic diaphragm metering pumps last over 10-15 years in the field with almost no maintenance. Solenoid pumps usually need service and replacement diaphragms every 6-9 months depending upon usage. Typically, a solenoid pump is considered good if it lasts 2-3 years in the field.

2. Balanced Diaphragm Vs Imbalanced Diaphragm: Hydraulic diaphragm pumps have process liquid on one side and hydraulic liquid on the other side to achieve balanced pressure on the diaphragm. This results in the diaphragm experiencing almost no mechanical stress which ensures a long life. On a solenoid metering pump, you have all the process pressure on one side with nothing to balance against it on the other side. This puts a lot of mechanical stress on the diaphragm and eventually causes bulging and failure.

3. Accuracy Matters: Due to the very nature of its design, hydraulic diaphragm pumps are extremely accurate throughout its life. That is the reason they are the only pumps that can meet API-675 standards. Solenoid pumps cannot because the diaphragm could bulge out or balloon even before it fails, which causes the accuracy to drop significantly.

4. High Performance: Solenoid pumps are good for low flow and low pressure applications usually under 100 psi. The duty cycle also needs to be very light. On the other hand, hydraulic diaphragm pumps can achieve flows and pressures hundreds of times higher than solenoid pumps. Hydraulic diaphragm pumps are also made for heavy duty or continuous operations 24/7.

So while solenoid pumps have their place […]

By Al|March 10th, 2015|Case Studies, Metering Pumps Tips, News, Products, Pump Accessories|0 Comments

Introducing the Remote Pump Head

Occasionally we have to pump some liquids with extreme temperatures that are either too hot or too cold. In either case, these temperatures could potentially cause long term wear and possible damage to the internals of the gear housing and the hydraulic oil it contains. AquFlow’s Remote Pump Head is designed to keep that temperature related effect away from the rest of the pump components by separating the liquid pump chamber away. We use the appropriate intermediate oil to better handle the temperatures and help dissipate the temperature difference.

Essentially the working principle of this pump is similar to any other AquFlow hydraulic diaphragm metering pump. The only difference is that there is an intermediate hydraulic oil that transfers the pressure to a pump head that is some distance away from the rest of the pump. These pumps are highly engineered pumps and they need to be customized to each application specifically. Hence we would need to know all details of the application such as exact process liquid, temperature of the liquid, viscosity and specific gravity of the liquid, ambient temperature, duty cycle (how much time the pump is running before it is off), suction and discharge conditions etc. before we can determine the exact configuration most suited to the application.

For full features and specifications, download the brochure HERE.

By Al|February 24th, 2015|News, Products|0 Comments

AquFlow Pumps in the growing Global Metering Pump market

The Global Metering Pump market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 4.04% between now and 2018 according to Research And Markets report that came out last week. This growth is driven primarily by the increase in demand for safe drinking water worldwide. According to the same report the main trend in the industry is the popularity of digital solutions for measurement and control of these metering pumps. In addition this digital technology is capable of detecting flaws in the pumping system such as cavitation to further improve the efficiency.

AquFlow is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this growth as a vast majority of our pumps are sold in Water Treatment industry to municipalities around the world. What make AquFlow the preferred pump in these applications is the accuracy and durability of the pumps to operate without any maintenance for several years. This reliability of AquFlow pumps is the result of continuous product development for the last four decades.

AquFlow has also taken the lead in adapting digital technology to our pumping solutions. We have been offering automatic stroke controller ECCA and VFD that are both capable of taking 4-20 mA input from any wired or wireless system such as SCADA. AquFlow also offers different types of leak detection systems to make sure the chemical delivery is consistent and accurate all the time.

By Al|June 19th, 2014|News, Products|0 Comments

AquFlow Announces the Launch of their New Website

AquFlow an Irvine, California based manufacturer of chemical metering pumps announced the launch of their all new website which automatically adapts to various formats including tablets, mobile phones and PCs. After several successive years of double digit growth in sales and expansion in product line AquFlow developed a website that is more user friendly and interactive. The new website will be populated with graphic and video rich content to showcase AquFlow’s product line as well as its unique customized solutions.

“AquFlow’s growth over these years has been fueled mainly by the satisfied customers who keep coming back to us for many of their pump related needs. They are usually so satisfied with our product and especially our service that they often demand we offer more comprehensive systems and a wider range of solutions. Our new website is the first step towards providing them with a platform to get this information to them when and where they need it.” according to Akbar (Al) Hussaini, CEO. “New content in the form of instructional videos, case studies and application assistance will soon feature on the website to make the customer experience almost as delightful as using our AquFlow pumps and systems.”

The new website will also feature AquFlow Blog that will cover not only the latest news and developments in the chemical dosing world but incorporate archives of newsletters from the past for easy reference. Additionally AquFlow is also investing resources to incorporate social media and organic SEO to improve their ranking in major search engines. “This new website will be a huge factor in our domestic and international growth strategies” said Dan Lanman, Sales Manager.

AquFlow based in Irvine, CA manufactures a complete line of chemical metering pumps, accessories and […]

By Al|April 24th, 2014|News|0 Comments

2013 Record Sales Year

AquFlow has been registering impressive growth numbers over the last few years, growing as much as 35.4% in 2013. This growth is the direct result of the confidence we have established among our customers who have come to expect exceptional service and support in addition to the dependable quality they have known to expect from our metering pumps.

We introduced an additional line of pumps to cover the small flow and high pressure applications with Series 900 pumps. This line filled a niche that was needed in the market place. There are not too many pumps out there that can give flow rates in the range of less than a Gallon Per Day with a +/-1% accuracy. The pressure can go up to 3,000 psi. This line complies with API 675 requirements like all the other pumps manufactured by AquFlow.

Another factor that played a major role in the growth is our expansion into the overseas markets. Our sales to Middle East, and South East Asia especially did well during the year. Last but not least our sales of complete package systems also took off quite well during the year. We now have the capability to offer turnkey systems for most applications.

By Al|February 15th, 2014|News|0 Comments

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