Wilden AODD Pumps for Food and Beverage Applications

Wilden Food and Beverage

• How do I pump high viscosity food products with an AODD pump?

  Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pumps are capable of handling thick sauces, pastes and other high-viscosity food products in food and beverage settings, meaning they can pump what is poured.

  To optimize AODD pump performance in high-viscosity applications:

  • Minimize Friction Losses: Use large suction lines, up to three times the size of the pump ports.

  • Positioning: Place the pump as close to or below the level of the fluid as possible.

  • Start-Up Procedure: Initiate the fluid flow slowly by using an air line valve. Set the air pressure and then crack the valve open gradually.

  • Performance Correction: Note that high viscosity affects pump performance; consult the viscosity correction guide for instructions on interpreting the performance curve for these fluids.

• Can AODD diaphragm pumps handle large solids in food processing?

  AODD pumps are designed to handle large food solids without damaging the pumps, as they do not have tight clearances or spaces for solids to accumulate. Wilden Saniflo™ Hygienic™ (HS) Series AODD Pumps have the option of flap valves to increase the maximum solid size to 2–3/8".

• What Wilden AODD pumps are best for food and beverage processing?

  Wilden Saniflo™ Hygienic™ (HS) Series AODD Pumps are designed for use in food-grade fluid transfer processes. These diaphragm pumps excel in food and beverage applications because they are designed to conform with sanitary standards (3A and FDA Guidelines, etc.) while providing gentle product handling, superior containment and easy maintenance. The HS pumps are ideal for food and beverage applications and are offered in food-grade materials with sanitary connections suitable for every food and beverage application.

• Are AODD diaphragm pumps suitable for shear-sensitive food products?

  AODD pumps are a great option to minimize shear damage to delicate food products, as they are shear sensitive and do not have tight clearances or fast-moving pumping elements that cause excessive shear in other pump technologies.

• Are Wilden AODD pumps clean-in-place (CIP) compatible for food applications?

  Standard AODD pumps are not clean-in-place (CIP) compatible, but Wilden Saniflo™ Hygienic™ Series (HS) AODD Pumps are uniquely designed for high-cleanliness requirements and feature a free-draining flow path that enables CIP capability. The HS flow-through liquid-path design also eliminates potential areas where product residue can be trapped and contaminate the product.