Santoprene Diaphragm Pump Case Study from Kelair Pumps

Altering existing equipment for better performance

A Victorian Solvent Processing Facility had been battling with failing diaphragm pumps, unable to keep them leak-free for more than nine-months at a time. Replacement costs were a continual problem and the hassle of repairs kept site performance at a standstill.

According to Frank Molinaro, Sales Engineer at Kelair Pumps Australia, the problem on site was the type of diaphragm used within each Sandpiper S15 Metallic Air-Operated Diaphragm pump.

"As the pumps were first installed over ten years ago, each had been originally fitted with Teflon diaphragms.

"Unfortunately, Teflon has poor elastomeric capabilities in comparison to other diaphragm materials, meaning that the flex-life of the diaphragm is relatively short. Because of this, each diaphragm had to be frequently replaced.

"Teflon diaphragms also require two separate parts, a rubber diaphragm and the Teflon overlay. Individually these parts are expensive, and as they are both required for a single pump, replacement costs are large," said Mr Molinaro.

Processing over 10,000 litres of solvent per day, failure of these Teflon diaphragms at the facility meant that solvent would begin leaking out of the exhaust of the pump. This was a major health and safety risk, as the solvents being processed were highly flammable.

To solve the problem, Kelair supplied the processing facility with Santoprene diaphragms to replace the existing Teflon ones.

"Santoprene diaphragms have far better elastomeric capabilities and do not require an overlay diaphragm to install.

"These one-part diaphragms are significantly more cost effective than the Teflon diaphragms - almost half the cost in total.