How We Increased Production and Improved Operational Efficiency for Our Customer
The Challenge
A leading egg processing company experienced the continuous breakdown of their CIP pumps in their clean-in-place sanitary process. The pumps were leaking and needed replacement every six months due to their inability to handle the caustic chemicals used in the sanitation process, increasing capital costs. The constant breakdowns and replacement requirements caused unscheduled downtime and production loss, and the leaks were a potential safety hazard.
The Solution
Our Application Expert – Chris Slawson – met with the Customer and, after evaluating the process, found that the pumps being used were unsuitable for pumping caustic chemicals and recommended the Wilden Velocity AODD Pump as a replacement. This particular pump was chosen because of its competitive price, versatility, and reliability. The Wilden Velocity Pump consumed less air than the existing pumps and had fewer parts – reducing breakdown possibilities. Also, its bore-seal design eliminates leaks that result from torque decay. Since the installation of these pumps, the Customer has not had any problems.
AODD Pump Technology Used
The Wilden® Velocity Series compact air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pump was designed with versatility. Velocity Series pumps feature a unique detachable mounting foot. They can easily be reoriented into a vertical or horizontal position with multiple inlet and discharge port options, a critical consideration for systems and skids.
Pump Specifications & Benefits
- 4.3 m (14.2′) dry suction lift for better priming
- Startup pressures as low as 1.03 bar (15 psi)
How Wilden AODD Pumps Work
An Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm pump (AODD) is a positive displacement (PD) pump. It has two flexible diaphragms that alternate filling and discharging two pumping chambers as they move. Compressed air feeds into vents from air chambers that create the pumping action on opposite sides of the filling and discharging compartments.
Because of how the pump operates, it can self-prime, deadhead, and run dry with low shear. This operation allows it to quickly reach and maintain the desired flow rate throughout an entire production run and withstand the abrasion of the shear-sensitive fluids.
