Diaphragm Pump vs The EDDY Pump

Diaphragm pumps operate completely different from the EDDY Pump. Learn about the differences in mechanics and how the EDDY Pump can excel where a diaphragm pump cannot.
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This article includes:

  • What is a Diaphragm Pump?
  • Diaphragm Pump Applications
  • Diaphragm Pumps Compared to EDDY Pumps
  • Advantages of the EDDY Pump

What is a Diaphragm Pump?

Diaphragm pumps are either air or electric operated. Air operated diaphragm pumps are more common. Diaphragm pumps are positive displacement, self-priming pumps and are available in a variety of materials. Usually, they come with inlet and discharge port sizes ranging from 1/4-inch to 4-inch. They are considered portable pumps because they are lighter than most other industrial pumps of equivalent port sizes.

Diaphragm pumps differ from how other pumps displace fluid. These pumps are designed with diaphragms that act as a separation membrane that isolates the fluid being pumped from the air motor that powers the pump. The diaphragms are connected by a common shaft and reciprocates (shifts) back and forth. As the diaphragms shift back and forth simultaneously they displace fluid on one side of the pump displacing the fluid through the discharge port, and at the same time, draw fluid into the pump through the inlet port. The reciprocating action of the pump creates a pulsating flow vs a consistent flow which is common with other pump types.

Diaphragm Pump Mechanics

Diaphragm Pump Applications

Diaphragm pumps can be applied in a broad range of applications in many industries. They are offered in a variety of materials (metals and plastics) which makes them suitable for applications that involve many different materials. They are fairly popular for moving corrosive or acidic liquids. These pumps can pump slurries and solid laden materials where the solids are considerably smaller in size than the size of the liquid inlet and discharge ports. They can be used in applications that are not suited for pumps with electric or combustion motors. Considered to be positive displacement pumps the discharge pressure is limited to the total air pressure that feeds the air motor and drives the pump. They are suited for either flooded suction applications or can be positioned above the fluid source due to the high vacuum these pumps can generate.

Diaphragm Pumps Compared to the EDDY Pump

Both the EDDY Pump and traditional air-operated diaphragm pumps operate in a different manner. The air-operated diaphragm pump reciprocates back and forth, generating a vacuum on the inlet stroke which draws the fluid into the pump. Then, the pump transitions to the discharge stroke where the fluid is displaced from the pump. Eddy Pump technology is based on the principle of Tornado Motion of liquid as a synchronized swirling column along the center of intake pipe that induces agitated mixing of solid particles with liquid, creating suction strong enough for solid particles to travel upwards into the volute and generating pressure differential for desired discharge. The eddy current is caused by the pressure differential resulting from the rotor and strengthened by turbulent flow patterns in the volute and suction tube.

Eddy currents are reinforced by the presence of solid particles which increase the inertial forces in the fluid. The formation of eddy depends on the suspended solid particles that cause suction. Unlike vortex pumps, the rotor directly drives the fluid through the pump with no slip. The EDDY Pump uses the movement of particles and the wake induced from these solid particles to generate eddy Current and induce suction.

The EDDY Pump is designed to excel in applications that require pumping high viscosity fluids or fluids with high solids content. This pump features a large flow through liquid path that is well suited for high viscosity solid laden fluids. The EDDY Pump can pass solids that are almost the diameter of the pump discharge port.

Why EDDY Pumps Are Better.
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Advantages of the EDDY Pump

  • Non-Clog Pump Design – The EDDY Pump is designed with a recessed rotor which is essential to the large flow-through design of the pump. This large flow-through design easily passes solids that can fit through the inlet port of the pump. As an example, a 10-inch EDDY Pump allows the passage of solid objects up to 9 inches in diameter.
  • High Solids Handling – The rotor technology effectively agitates and pumps material of up to 70% solids by weight using a geometrically shaped energy-generating rotor.
  • No Critical Tolerances – The spacing in the flow path between the rotor and the volute are sized to pass extremely large solids. Most other types of pumps are designed so that they require a tighter tolerance in this area of the pump to operate properly, this includes centrifugal pumps.
  • High Viscosity and High Abrasives Handling  – Ultra recessed rotor creates an eddy current that keeps abrasive material away from critical pump components.
  • Low maintenance and minimum downtime.
  • Low Cost of Ownership – The low maintenance, non-clogging pump technology allows a much quicker return on investment over other pumps, making it the lowest life-cycle cost pump on the market today.

Best Applications – Industries Most Served

The EDDY Pump Corporation is a premier manufacturer of pumping and dredging equipment.  If you are pumping or dredging slurry, high solids, extremely viscous material, paste, high abrasives (sand & gravel), and material filled with solids, then you found the best-suited product for the job.  Go to:  https://eddypump.com/  or Call Us!

Mining, Fly Ash, Coal Ash, Oil, Fracking, Gas, Wastewater, Pulp and Paper, Chemical, Energy, Water Municipalities, Irrigation, and Dredging Companies.  For Access to Complete Product Line Go to: https://eddypump.com/products/ 

Order or Get Selection Help

Let our sales or engineering support help in your slurry pump and dredge equipment selection. Call (619) 258-7020

Why EDDY Pumps Are Better – Highlights

This video shows how EDDY Pump transports high slurry and abrasive materials. Featured dredge pump equipment includes the Remote Operated Subdredge, Diver Operated Pump and a Excavator Attachment Dredge Pump.