Furrow Pump, Inc.

P.O. Box 1849

8525 SW St. Helens Dr.

Wilsonville, OR 97070

Phone: (800) 937-3666

FAX: (800) 377-9960

www.furrowpump.com

This is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the world of metering pumps. Instead, this will be a short form guide to the equipment you’re really going to have to deal with. Some of these basics may be of value to you, but most of what we’ll go over will be of the greatest value when you are teaching your new people.

I.  Piston Pumps

These pumps work best with low viscosity chemicals, preferably those with no solids or abrasives and a minimum suction lift. One of their advantages is the ability to produce a high output pressure (1,000 PSI+). Expect the packing to leak, calling for regular maintenance.

II.  Diaphragm Pumps

This type of positive displacement pump comes in a number of styles. As you would expect, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A.  Air Operated Diaphragm Pumps (AOD)

This pump typically requires up to 100 PSI and 20 SCFM of available air. The double diaphragms shuttle back and forth in their suction and discharge cycle, and the large volume of their pumping chambers literally allow them to pump a rope! They are not, however, able to pump accurately at their bottom output end – they are not really a metering pump, but rather a transfer pump.

         B.  Gear Pumps

Gear pumps are often platform-mounted, so they can be driven by air motors, close-coupled electric motors, or even a motor with a flexible shaft. Their intermeshing gears propel the pumped fluid between them, and are versatile in that they can pump a full range of high specific gravity and high viscosity chemicals. They can produce medium levels of output pressure (100 – 200 PSI). Generally, though, these pumps are somewhat limited in their corrosion resistance and handling of shear-sensitive products like polymers, and are not really precise in their output.

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