Pumps Metering Pumps The most frequently used metering pumps for water treatment applications are the

packed plunger, piston, and diaphragm pumps. Rotary gear and progressive cavity pumps are also used occasionally. These all fall under the general heading of "positive displacement pumps." Design and selection of a metering pump and piping circuit are critical to ensure that pump output will match specifications. Parameters that must be considered include suction side static head, net positive suction head (NPSH), pump turndown, potential syphoning, pressure relief, and materials compatibility. In order to ensure accurate pumping, operating conditions must be close to design specifications. For example, with a plunger pump, an increase in discharge line pressure can significantly reduce pump output. Because many factors affect pump performance, output should be checked frequently with a calibration cylinder. Some computerized chemical feed systems automatically verify metering pump output and make adjustments as necessary. Packed Plunger Pumps. Because plunger pumps can be designed for high discharge pressures, they are often used for chemical treatment in boiler systems. Pumping action is produced by a direct-acting piston or plunger that moves back and forth in a reciprocating fashion and directly contacts the process fluid within an enclosed chamber. Motor speed and/or stroke length may be used to adjust this type of pump. The useful working range for packed plunger pumps is approximately 10-100% of rated capacity. Packed plunger pumps use packing rings to form a seal between the plunger and the plunger bore. In some circumstances, this can necessitate periodic adjustment or replacement of the rings. Diaphragm Pumps. Diaphragm pumps are becoming increasingly popular in water treatment applications. The diaphragm design uses the reciprocating action of a piston or plunger to transmit pressure through a hydraulic fluid to a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm isolates and displaces the pumped fluid and is activated either mechanically or hydraulically. Figure 35-6 shows a diaphragm pump that uses an electronic pulsing circuit to drive a solenoid, which provides the diaphragm stroke. Both stroke length and stroke frequency can be adjusted to provide a usable control range of 10-100% of capacity. Diaphragm pumps can be set up for automatic adjustment of stroke frequency based on an external signal. This capability is commonly used to control the ratio of chemical feed to water flow rate. The diaphragm pump illustrated in Figure 35-7 uses an internal hydraulic system to operate the diaphragm in contact with the treatment solution. The pump is available in models operating at discharge pressures exceeding 1500 psig. The delivery rate of the pump is manually adjustable while the pump is running and can also be adjusted automatically by a pneumatic or electric control signal. The internal hydraulic system has a built-in valve to protect against overpressure.

Some diaphragm pumps can be used to feed heavy or viscous materials, such as slurries and polymers. Figure 35-8 shows a tubular diaphragm pump that is often used in these applications. The tubular diaphragm design also uses a reciprocating plunger, but a tube-shaped diaphragm expands or contracts with pressure from the hydraulic fluid. Adjustable pumps with flow rates of up to 60 gal/hr at 100 psig are available. An air-driven diaphragm pump operates from 1 to 200 gpm. This design is usually used for viscous products, and because of its high capacity is generally used to transfer chemical from a storage tank to a day tank. It can be used for feeding shear-sensitive polymer solutions. The air-driven pump tolerates abrasive materials and is also used to pump sand and sludges. Discharge pressure is limited to approximately 100 psig. Rotary Pumps. Rotary pumps have one or two rotating members to provide positive or semipositive displacement. The pump may consist of two meshing gears or a single rotating member in an eccentric housing. In the full positive displacement type, delivery rate is fixed by speed of rotation. Semipositive displacement pumps have internal slippage, which affects delivery rate and discharge pressure. Rotary pumps generally depend on the fluid being pumped for lubrication. Most designs will not tolerate abrasive material in the fluid. They can pump highly viscous fluids and are particularly useful for polymer applications, in which low shear is desirable. Figure 35-9 shows a rotary pump with an idler gear moving inside a rotor gear. Pumping action is achieved by the meshing of rotor and idler gear teeth and by the use of close running tolerances. With every revolution of the pump shaft, a fixed amount of liquid is drawn into the pump through the suction port. This volume of liquid fills the spaces between the teeth of the rotor, progresses through the pump, and is forced out through the discharge port.
Reference : http://www.gewater.com/handbook/chemical_feed_control/ch_35_chemicalfeed.jsp