Pneumatic Water Pumps for Water & Wastewater Applications

Wilden Water and Wastewater

• Can Wilden AODD pumps be submerged in water or wastewater applications?

  Yes, Wilden submersible AODD pumps are designed for safe operation in compatible water or wastewater systems. Check to ensure the fluid is compatible with the pump housing and fasteners, and the exhaust is piped above the fluid level or has a snorkel to prevent fluid from entering the pump through the exhaust port.

• Can Wilden AODD diaphragm pumps run dry without damage?

  AODD pumps can run dry without significant damage to the pump. This allows the pumps to self-prime and protects them when the fluid source runs dry. However, running the pumps dry does cause them to cycle quickly and increases wear on the diaphragms more significantly than normal operation, so it is best practice to limit running the pump dry when it is not necessary.

• How can I control the flow rate of a Wilden AODD pump using air pressure?

  The discharge rate of an Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pump can be regulated in several ways.

  Methods for Flow Control:

  1. Air Supply Adjustment: The flow rate is controlled by limiting the volume and/or pressure of the air supplied to the pump.

  • Pressure Control: An air regulator adjusts the air pressure.

  • Volume Control: A needle valve controls the air volume.

  2. Discharge Throttling: Partially closing a valve in the pump's discharge line increases frictional losses, reducing the flow rate. This method is especially useful for remote pump control.

  Pump Safety and "Deadhead" Condition:

  An AODD pump is inherently safe and does not require a bypass or pressure relief valve. The pump will stop when its fluid discharge pressure equals or exceeds the air supply pressure, a condition known as "deadhead." Pump damage will not occur in this state. To restart the pump, either the fluid discharge pressure must be reduced or the air inlet pressure must be increased.

  
  

• What Wilden AODD pumps are best for handling solids in wastewater applications?

  Wilden Stallion® Series AODD Pumps are built to handle high solids and abrasive fluids. These wastewater diaphragm pumps are ideal for water and wastewater applications because they can handle fluids with high solids content efficiently and effectively without damaging the pump. Stallion AODD pumps have larger internal clearances due to modified balls, seats, diaphragms and shafts, allowing them to better handle solid-laden slurries. The addition of a polyurethane screen base acts as an additional filter to prevent larger solids from damaging the pump.

• What AODD pump materials are best for transferring corrosive chemicals in wastewater?

  Wilden Pro-Flo® SHIFT Series Bolted Plastic AODD Pumps are specifically designed for safe and efficient handling of corrosive chemicals, making them ideal for wastewater treatment applications. The pump housings are constructed from chemically inert materials like PVDF and polypropylene, which resist most corrosive substances.

  Key features for handling corrosive and hazardous materials include:

  • Bolted Configuration: Provides superior product containment, minimizing the risk of leaks when pumping dangerous corrosive chemicals.

  • Material Options: Available in groundable conductive plastic versions for use in potentially explosive environments.

  Elastomers: Wilden offers a variety of diaphragm materials, with PTFE, Wil-Flex® and EPDM being the typical recommendations for corrosive chemical service.