The technology of chemical feed pumps
The use of the right type of chemical feed pump for a particular application is
an important decision when designing a system. In the past the chemical feed
pump market was separated into three distinct types of pumps.
They were
the mechanical diaphragm pump, electromagnetic solenoid dia-phragm pump and the
peristaltic (tubing style) pump.
The motor-driven diaphragm and solenoid
diaphragm style pumps held an advantage because of high pressure capability and
the means by which they could be controlled in order to feed in proportion to
flow.
The peristaltic design capable of metering against 100 psig, still
a good pressure, held the advantage of simplicity of operation and self-priming
with greater suction lift capability.
Recently the peristaltic pumps have
improved their technology by offering different methods of pump control. Now,
contact-type water meters and peristaltic pumps can be used together to provide
proportional chemical feed.
Newer peristaltic pumps can be controlled via
4-20mA signals, thereby competing with the solenoid-type pumps. In the future,
new technology will arise in the chemical feed pump markets that will make them
even more versatile than they are today.
2012-08-29
