Also known as a membrane pump, a diaphragm pump is a type of positive displacement pump. The pump moves fluid through a combination of valves on either side of a rubber, thermoplastic, or Teflon diaphragm. Due to their versatility, efficiency, and relatively simple operation, diaphragm pumps are very popular and used in a wide range of industries. Essentially, people can use diaphragm pumps in nearly any industry that requires fluid transfer. We will address some of the most common uses for diaphragm pumps below.

Dosing and Dispensing

Because diaphragm pumps are accurate and efficient, people often utilize them for the process of dosing and dispensing. For example, healthcare workers can use diaphragm pumps in a hospital or pharmacy setting to dose the appropriate amount of a particular ingredient into a medication.

Transfer Applications

Diaphragm pumps help facilitate a wide range of transfer operations. They have excellent chemical resistance and can operate well with highly abrasive materials. Workers can use them to transfer a variety of liquids ranging from those with low to high viscosity. Some of the transfer applications of diaphragm pumps include:

• Transferring solvents
• Transferring abrasive slurries
• Transferring sludge mixtures
• Transferring oils
• Transferring vehicle fuels
• Bulk transfer of liquids
• Transferring paints, dyes, and inks
• Transferring wastewater
• Low shear fluid transfer

Metering

Another common use for diaphragm pumps is delivering fluids in specific adjustable flow rates. Diaphragm pumps can move a precise liquid volume during a specific time period to produce an accurate volumetric flow rate. This process of fluid delivery is often referred to as metering.

Cleaning Applications

Because diaphragm pumps can produce a substantial amount of pressure, people also use them in cleaning applications. For example, the pumps can create the powerful jets needed for spray washers.

USA Lab Equipment offers a wide range of new and used laboratory machinery and tools—from diaphragm pumps to solvent recovery tanks. To learn more about our high-quality equipment, shop our online collection or contact us today.