Installing & Repairing Diaphragm Pumps

A diaphragm pump is used in more specialised situations and not as common as the sewer cutter pumps and mains water pressure pumps found in domestic applications. The diaphragm pump which can also be referred to as a membrane pump is a positive displacement style of pump and uses the reciprocating action of a rubber, thermoplastic or teflon material diaphragm and suitable valves (check valve, butterfly valves or any other form of shut off valve) on the other side to transfer many different types of fluids for all types of circumstances.

The Characteristics Of A Diaphragm Pump:

• This style of pump has good suction characteristics and depending on the requirements can provide either high or low flow rates. They are capable of pumping dirty liquids such sludges and slurries and can handle a high amount of grit
  with some solid particles.
• The way in which this pump has been designed can be referred to a as a dry pump. It pumps the liquid in way that sensitive parts are not in contact with the liquid.
• Due to the pump’s separation from liquids and the sensitive components being suspended in oil it promotes pump life longevity.
• Can be used to transfer corrosive, toxic, flammable and abrasive liquids.
• Good self-priming abilities and dry running characteristics.
• Can handle high viscous liquids. Across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills there are three different types of diaphragm pumps
  typically used mostly in commercial and industrial applications. Depending on the demand placed upon this pump their sizes will vary. Below are the 3 different styles we help our clients with service, repair and replacement across South Australia:
• A pump which has one or more unsealed diaphragms with the fluid to be pumped on both sides. The diaphragms are flexed causing the volume to change.
• Another is where the diaphragm is sealed with one side in the fluid to be pumped and the other side is air or hydraulic fluid. In this case a pair of non-return check valves prevent the reverse flow of any pumped fluids.
• The last is a style of pump where the machine uses volumetric positive displacement and the prime mover of the diaphragm is mechanical via electricity working through a cranked or geared motor. In this style of pump, it is a simple mechanical action and one side of the diaphragm is open to air.

Example Of A Diaphragm Pump Installation:

In a suburb called Stirling in the Adelaide Hills we recently assisted a client of ours with repairs/servicing on there diaphragm pump. The pump which was originally supplied by a local pump company in Tonsley called Global Pumps.

This diaphragm pump is dedicated to removing liquids from a sump which is installed below the people lift on the lower ground floor. The pump is designed to work in the event of the lifts motor well ever taking on water and protecting the expensive equipment located down there which operates the lift from water damage. Due to the nature of the set up this pump is located at ground level away from the lift well itself mounted on a wall in a non-trafficable location for easy servicing and repairs.

Inside the sump below the lift are two float switches. One is used to activate the pump when water fills up the sump (normal operation). The other is connected to a high-level alarm which sounds if the pump is not draining the sump and alerts the occupiers of this office building of a fault and a qualified pump technician should be contacted urgently to assess the fault and repair the pump.

Inside the sump is a 25mm suction line which retrieves the water from the sump once activated by the float and the water is then discharged to a nearby creek at Pomona Road and eventually makes its way through to Snows Road in Stirling. Given that this pump will rarely work if ever it is vital to ensure that half yearly servicing is performed on this equipment so that if ever the need for it to work our clients know that the pump is set up to perform its duty of protecting the lifts motors and various other controls.

At Mayfair Plumbing we are a preferred pump service agent for many manufacturers across South Australia. Known for our large team of skilled technicians which are trained in all types of pump repairs and installations. We work in some of the states remote areas and can accommodate our clients with emergency pump repairs all days and all hours.