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Diaphragm Pump Failures in Soup Can Manufacturing

Diaphragm Pump Failures in Soup Can Manufacturing

Problem: A manufacturer of metal soup cans located in New Jersey uses (8) 2" air diaphragm pumps to transfer the product which is used to line the cans. The suction of the pump is attached to the bottom of a 35' tall tank. The air operated diaphragm pumps are fitted with expensive PTFE diaphragms. The diaphragms were failing prematurely which resulted in loss of product, excessive downtime, and expensive part replacement. Additionally, leakage was occurring at the pump's clamping bands and the pumps were noisy during operation.

Diaphragm Failure Causes Repeated Spills in Paint Manufacturing

Diaphragm Failure Causes Repeated Spills in Paint Manufacturing

Problem: A nationally recognized manufacturer of quality paints uses air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps in process and transfer applications. In this application, the AODD pumps are used in a tank storage area to transfer Texanol, a solvent-based paint additive, to the production facilities within the plant. The AODD pump sits at the bottom of a 20' high Texanol storage tank. The inlet ball valves of the pump open and close several times per second. Each time the ball valve is closed or "seated", the fluid velocity is abruptly stopped. This creates high pressure spikes or "water hammer". The force of the spike severely weakens the integrity of the PTFE diaphragms by distorting their shape with unbalanced pressure loads and concentrating stress onto one area of the diaphragm, causing cold flow. The diaphragms were lasting only three weeks before failure. Every time a diaphragm failed, production halted and solvent was spilled into the containment dike and lost.

Chemical Manufacturing Excessive Inlet Pressure

Chemical Manufacturing Excessive Inlet Pressure

Problem: A major international chemical company in New Jersey uses 3” air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps with PTFE diaphragms to pump a highly aggressive chemical through candle filters from an overhead tank. Part of the filtered chemical is recirculated at 30 psi back to the pump’s inlet. Rapid diaphragm failure was occurring in the AODD pumps. These pumps are generally limited to a maximum inlet pressure of 10 psi when equipped with PTFE diaphragms. As a result of the excessive inlet pressure, the PTFE diaphragms in these pumps lasted only a few hours.

Label Adhesive Application

Label Adhesive Application

Problem: A manufacturing facility needed to apply glue precisely to labels on plastic containers, but they were experiencing significant quality control issues. Their existing AODD pump produced inconsistent and highly variable flow due to hydraulic pulsations inherent in the pump design. These flow fluctuations made it impossible to apply the adhesive evenly and accurately to the product labels, resulting in defective products, waste, and potential production slowdowns. The challenge was particularly difficult given the nature of the material—a water-based adhesive with high viscosity (110,000 centipoise)—which amplified the pulsation problems.

Reciprocating Pump Pulsation in Power Plant

Reciprocating Pump Pulsation in Power Plant

Problem: A 300 megawatt power plant required a chemical feed system to supply hydrazine to a boiler. The hydrazine acts as an oxygen scavenger, and must be delivered in a precise and consistent quantity. While metering pumps can deliver chemicals in precise amounts, their reciprocating action will not allow delivery in a smooth and consistent flow.

Chronic Pulsation Issues at Power Plant in Central PA

Chronic Pulsation Issues at Power Plant in Central PA

Problem: The facility experienced persistent pulsation and vibration in a process line operating with two pumps. Operators noted:

- Poor pulsation control
- Unstable pressure readings
- Concerns that the dampener was “not working”
- Consideration of taking the dampener offline


Initial discussions suggested potential equipment malfunction. However, system layout and installation practices had not yet been fully evaluated.

During the site visit, the system configuration was reviewed in detail. Two critical issues were identified:

1. One Dampener Serving Two Pumps
Both pumps were discharging into a single pulsation dampener—an arrangement not suitable for proper attenuation or balanced operation.

2. Improper Dampener Placement
The dampener was installed well outside the recommended 10 pipe diameters from the pump discharge. At this distance, the unit could not effectively mitigate pressure fluctuations.

These conditions explained the apparent performance issues despite the dampener itself being fully functional.

APPLICATIONS
View All Modular, Skid Mounted Chemical Dosing System Pulsation Control in Hi-Temp Coffee Extraction Towers Water Hammer in Wash-Water Header Diesel Transfer Pump Transport of Copper Bearing Solution in Remote Mining Spill Prevention in Contact Lens Factory Label Adhesive Application Chronic Pulsation Issues at Power Plant in Central PA Chemical Process Leak in Boston Achieving Even Application of Screen Coating Reliable Rosin Size Dosing Chemical Compatibility Diaphragm Failure Pump Inlet Cavitation in Power Gen Facility Deionized Water Dosing in R&D Lab Pulsation in Sulfuric Acid Feed Deep Well Injection Aeration and Pulsation of Cleaning Products Filling Hose Failure due to Pulsation Filter Screen Damage from Pulsation Clogged Filters Causing False Gauge Readings Chemical Feed Injection Pulsation Low-Viscosity Injection Pulsation Oil and Gas Long Suction Vibration Diaphragm Pump Failures in Soup Can Manufacturing Diaphragm Failure Causes Repeated Spills in Paint Manufacturing Chemical Manufacturing Excessive Inlet Pressure Reciprocating Pump Pulsation in Power Plant Chemical Injection Pump Vibration Steel Manufacturing Descaling Pulsation Effect of Improper Dampener Application AODD Pump Pulled from Concrete Submarine Constrained Piping Acceleration Head Wastewater Transfer Pulsation Hazardous Waste AODD Containment Failure Paint Manufacturing Abrasive Slurry Diaphragm Failure Decontamination Facility Spray Pulsation Poultry Processing Diaphragm Pump Vibration Pharmaceutical Pump-Induced Pipe Vibration Aerospace Pump-Induced Pulsation Wastewater Sludge Transfer Pump Pulsation Wastewater Sludge Pump Pulsation Bottling Line Water Hammer Tool Manufacturing Manifold Startup Shock Commercial Restroom Flush Water Hammer Resin Plant Drum Filling Water Hammer Pharmaceutical Valve-Induced Water Hammer Hydraulic Transients in Pump Station Surge Causes Highway Shutdown Check Valve Backflow Water Hammer