There are many different types of pumps that can be used for metering chemicals so we have devised a list to help you determine the most appropriate for chemical metering applications.
Progressive cavity, peristaltic, gear and air operated diaphragm pumps like a Wilden or Sandpiper, as well as piston, plunger and diaphragm metering pumps like LMI, Milton Roy and Madden may be used to control the flow of liquid chemicals.
When choosing the appropriate type of pump, a number of factors may need to be considered:
- Cost, installation, and cost of operation. For example the power for air driven pumps typically cost more than electricity for electric motor driven.
- Accuracy of flow control: does the pump flow change from time to time, up or down without control, or when it is set can you depend on the flow rate continuing at a steady rate until it is purposely changed?
- Chemical resistance. Having materials of construction that will resist deterioration from the chemical is a vital consideration
- Flow rate requirements: what are the maximum, minimum and average flows required
- Pressure requirements: what is the maximum pressure that will need to be overcome. Our diaphragm type metering pumps are available with up to 300 psi pressure capacity.
- Temperature of the liquid or environment: normally our pumps, for example, are limited to a maximum of 200 degrees F.
- What is the viscosity of the liquid to be pumped? Some pumps, like AOD diaphragm pumps and progressive cavity can handle high viscosity liquids very well
- Will the flow adjustment be made manually, or will there be an automatic flow control system in place?
These are just a few of the items that need to be thought of when determining what type of pump is required for your application and we offer a pump selection guide that will help guide the specifier to make sure that the chemical metering pump that is selected will perform up to expectations.
Our diaphragm type metering pumps are available in a wide range of capacity, from the smallest ( 0.1 to 1.0 gallons per hour), up to our largest (18-360 gph). We had a customer doing fabric dyeing several years ago that needed three pumps, small, medium, and large capacity, to handle the very wide range of flow rate they needed for different fabrics running through one dyeing system.
Madden technical representatives are available to help select the chemical metering pump that will perform as specified 24/7/365. Click here to contact us for more information about what type of pump will fit your application today!