What Is a Dosing Pump?
Dosing pumps are used to add a specific amount of chemicals into a flow of water or other fluid. These can be used for a variety of applications including wastewater treatment and process control.
Dosing pumps are available in a range of shapes and sizes. Some are designed for use in corrosive liquids or high pressure and temperature applications.
Installation
Dosing pumps are used to inject a chemical into a fluid or water stream for a variety of different purposes. They are commonly found in water treatment, agriculture, industrial plants, medical laboratories and petrochemical industries. They can be used to add corrosive chemicals to water to make it acidic or caustic and also to add chlorine for killing bacteria in water.
There are various types of dosing pumps on the market and they can vary in size, material, operation and control system. Some are simple pumps that only turn on and off with a timer or flow switch while others are integrated into a control system such as a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system with sensors for pH, chlorine and similar and variable rate control to raise and lower the level being dosed.
The basic components of a dosing pump are usually made from a variety of chemical resistant plastics, rubbers or stainless steel. It has a suction line and a dosing line attached to it with a foot valve and a filter between the tank and the pump to stop any unwanted product from entering the pump.
Once the correct pump has been selected for your application, you can begin installation by ensuring Dosing Pump that it is located properly. The pump should be next to a power source and protected from water, dust or damage. It should be insulated to avoid damage from freezing temperatures and the casing should have an IP rating of at least 20.
If the pump is to be used in a high pressure or temperature environment, it may need specialised parts. This can include the casing, inlet and outlet valves, and a dosing line made from a variety of materials including PVC, PE or reinforced hose. It should have bleed, pressure relief or air release valves on it to ensure the safe operation of the pump when required.
When the dosing pump is connected to a float switch or timer, it should be set to run for the calculated dosage each day based on your calibration results and how long you wish the pump to run each day. Once the system is installed, test your aquarium’s water daily to ensure stable chemistry.
Parts
Dosing pumps are a vital component of automated fluid handling systems in various industries. They are used to inject a particular chemical into a fluid or liquid stream, such as water or wastewater, to change the properties or make it safe to use.
This can include adjusting the pH level of water to combat bacteria, or carrying flocculants to separate solids from the liquid. Other applications for these pumps include corrosion treatment in high-pressure boiler feeds and smelter feeds.
The parts needed to operate a dosing pump are primarily mechanical and electronic. These can range from simple on/off switches to more complex control systems with sensors for pH, chlorine and similar that are integrated into a centralised operations system.
Generally there is a tank that holds the chosen product and a pump which is connected to this. This tank needs to be continually filled as required and there are valves that indicate how much is left.
A dosing pump is a positive displacement type of pump which pumps a very precise flow rate of a chemical into either a liquid, gas or steam flow. It uses several different methods to deliver this precision including drawing the measured amount into a chamber and then injecting it into the tank or pipe being dosed.
There are a number of different types of dosing pumps and each has its own special features. There are pumps that use a solenoid mechanism to move the dosing head forwards and backwards by switching on and off and there are motor-driven metering pumps which use a stepping motor to drive the pump.
Dosing pumps are also designed to be able to handle a variety of different chemicals and materials, which can include acids, bases, corrosives and viscous liquids. They are a great choice for industrial processes that require constant dosing and metering.
These dosing pumps can be fitted with a number of accessories to help them work more effectively and accurately. These can be as simple as flow indicators which send an on/off signal if they are not working properly, right through to more sophisticated variable frequency drives that allow you to control the pump’s output locally or remotely.
Controls
Dosing pumps are a type of positive displacement pump that is used to inject chemicals into steam, gas or water. Over the years, these pumps have become an indispensable part of integrated dosing systems that dispense chemical substances automatically.
In order to achieve this, dosing pumps use a variety of technology. These include reciprocating pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, and gear pumps. These types of pumps have a variety of benefits, including precision dosing, high efficiency, and leak-free construction.
They also have a small footprint and can deliver very accurate flow rates, making them an ideal choice for automated systems. They have also been adapted to handle a range of media, including corrosive liquids and flammable gases.
These types of pumps also have a wide range of pressure capabilities and can operate at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. They are very reliable and do not require lubrication or seals to ensure a leak-free operation.
When the pump is turned on, it draws a certain amount of the fluid into its chamber and injects it into the tank or pipe that contains the fluid being metered. This process is controlled by a pump controller that turns the pump on and off at specific times and manages the flow rate.
Once the fluid enters the chamber, it is mixed with the additive and sent through a non-return valve that is attached to the suction line. This is done to avoid product wastage as the fluid exits the pump, and prevent the additive from being misinjected into the side walls of the system.
In addition to this, dosing pumps can be equipped with a float switch that raises an alarm when the fluid runs out of supply. This can be especially useful for wastewater treatment plants that release a lot of waste water during their operations.
Another important feature of these types of pumps is their ability to make calculated adjustments to the dosing Dosing Pump schedule based on the outcome of one or more measurements. These measurements can include chlorine residual, flow rate, or recirculation levels.
Maintenance
The Dosing Pump can be a tricky little bugger to maintain but with the right care and attention it will reward you with many years of trouble-free service. The best way to keep it functioning at its optimum is to make sure you regularly clean the parts that need it most, this includes the blue cap and rollers as well as the holder.
The amount of product in the reservoir and how often it is topped up will also influence the required maintenance schedule. For example, if you are using an IBC container that you would normally empty, a service interval of two weeks will suffice.
Other considerations include the location of the device and the type of product you are metering. For example, a diaphragm-style pump that is mounted in a chemical tank will require more attention to detail than a stand-alone unit that you can easily move out of the way while you change a filter.
In a pinch, there is a simple solution to the problem of cleaning the pump by using a high-quality pump cleaner. This can be purchased from most water treatment manufacturers and will keep your system in tip top condition for many years to come!
There are many other things you can do to keep your equipment in prime shape. These include making regular inspections of the chemical tanks and keeping a close eye on the pump alarms as well as the level indicator. The most important thing is to keep your equipment clean and odour-free!