Metering Pumps and

Pump Systems

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 METERING PUMP DEFINITION
Convey (like any pump)
Measure (repeated displacement of defined volume)
Adjust
Volume per displacement
Frequency of displacements

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Convey Measure Adjust

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 METERING PHILOSOPHY
Think of the pump as a continuous fluid measurement
device
Converts batch processes (fluid measured, then mixed), to
in-line processes (fluids continuously measured and mixed)

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 What is a Metering Pump?

Hydraulic Institute Definition:

A controlled volume pump (also called a metering,
proportioning or chemical injection pump) is a
reciprocating power pump used to accurately displace a
predetermined volume of liquid in a specified time period
and is driven by power from an outside source applied to
the pump mechanism. It includes a mechanism for
varying the effective plunger, piston or diaphragm
displacement.

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Some Pump Manufacturers Add:
It includes a mechanism for varying the effective
frequency of displacements.
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 What claims to be a Metering Pump, but isnt?

Displacement per revolution not adjustable.

Gear Pump Not linear from high to low RPMs due to slip
at low speed.

Displacement per stroke not adjustable. Not

Air Operated
repeatable due to variable air pressure,
Diaphragm Pump flexible diaphragm.

Displacement per revolution not adjustable.

Progressing
Chemical incompatibility common w/ rotor.
Cavity Pump

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Displacement per revolution not
Peristaltic adjustable. Tube stretch prevents
Pump repeatability.
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Whats all This?

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 Metering Pump System Hydraulics
and Application of Accessories

The metering pump system design, the fluid pumped, and

the accessories installed all play a vital role in system
safety, repeatability and reliability.

Key Concept: Metering Pump System

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 Suction Head

Negative
Suction Head
(suction lift)

Positive
Suction
Head

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(flooded
suction)

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 Suction Lift

Atmospheric pressure always pushes down

on any fluid surface. When the pump
diaphragm creates a negative pressure in
the pump head, atmospheric pressure
forces fluid up the suction tube to fill the
cavity.
Atmospheric pressure at 500 feet above
14.5 sea level = 14.5 psia = 1 bar = 34 feet of
psia
water
If the pump pulled a perfect vacuum, the
maximum suction lift possible on earth,

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pumping water, is 34 feet.

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 Suction Lift

What happens if the tank

is not vented (open to
atmosphere)?

14.5
psia

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14.5 14.5
psia psia

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 Specific Gravity

Specific Gravity is the fluids density in relation to the density of

water (S.G. 1.0). For example:
Sulfuric acid density = 15.34 lbs/gal Therefore:
Water density = 8.34 lbs/gal S.G. = 1.84

Ammonia density = 5.25 lbs/gal Therefore

Water density = 8.34 lbs/gal S.G. = 0.63
Because atmospheric pressure forces fluid into the pump head
during the suction stroke, if the fluid has a specific gravity greater

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than 1.0, the suction lift ability will be reduced.
Specific gravity is independent of viscosity, and does not impact
pump capacity, only suction lift capability.

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Specific Gravity Impact on
Suction Lift

Actual Suction Lift =

Rated Suction Lift (water) / S.G.

Rated Suction Lift for VAMb04120

= 6.6 feet
Application: Chromic Acid (1.4
SG)
Actual Suction Lift = 6.6 / 1.4 =
4.7

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 Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of a fluids resistance to flow.
Viscosities greater than that of water increase friction
loss and result in reduced pump capacity.
When selecting a pump for viscous fluids:
Oversize the pump
Put springs in the valves to help seat the balls
Use high viscosity solenoid pumps
Reduce stroking rate to minimum possible

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Keep stroke length as great as possible
Provide flooded suction with oversized suction line

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Specific Gravity and Viscosity of Common Fluids

Fluid S.G. Viscosity (SSU)

Ammonia 0.63 29.5

SAE 30 oil 0.9 200 @ 130 deg F
Brine 1.2 33
Gasoline 0.73 30
Glycerine 1.26 2950
Nitric Acid 1.42 31.5
Sulfuric Acid 1.84 66
Water 1.00 31.5

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 Vapor Pressure

Matter exist as solids, liquids or gasses. The state of matter

depends on the compound itself, the pressure around it, and the
temperature.
The Vapor Pressure of any fluid relates to the pressure and
temperature at which it flashes from a liquid phase to a gas
phase. It is defined as the pressure exerted when a liquid is in
equilibrium with its own vapor.
The higher the vapor pressure, the more likely the fluid will
vaporize on the suction side of a pump during the suction stroke,
causing cavitation.

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 Pressure Relief Valve
Prevents over-pressurizing pump and piping system.

Pressure Adjusting Nut

Diaphragm Spring

Diaphragm Hub

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Pressure Relief Options - Flooded Suction

Pressure Relief may discharge back to

tank, but where tank is distant from pump,
relief back to suction line is common. 3-port PRV

2-Port
BPV on
Tee

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Pressure Relief Options - Suction Lift

Two port back-pressure valve

off of a tee on the discharge
line

Three port in-line pressure relief

valve discharges to tank through
relief port

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 Backpressure Valve
Provides backpressure to improve repeatability.
Prevents siphoning when suction head exceeds
discharge head.

Pressure Adjusting Nut

Diaphragm Spring

Diaphragm Hub

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Backpressure Valve

The injection quill can create a

venturi effect in a flowing pipe,
developing a vacuum. This can
draw chemical through the system
even if the pump is stopped.

The anti-siphon (backpressure)

valve prevents the vacuum from
causing chemical to be drawn into

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water line.

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Backpressure Valve

The backpressure valve

also prevents fluid from
simply free-flowing
through the system when
the suction port is higher
than the point of
discharge.

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Backpressure Valve

When discharging into a vacuum line, use

two backpressure valves to ensure
maximum protection against siphoning.
Regulatory agencies may require use of two
anti-siphon valves in certain applications
such as adding fluoride to drinking water.
The backpressure created by the two valves
(and the injection valve) is not additive.
Whichever valve is set at the highest

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pressure will determine the system pressure
at the pump.

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Pulsation Dampener

In a reciprocating pump
system, the entire fluid column
between the pump and
injection point stops flowing at
each suction stroke and is
forced to flow at each

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discharge stroke.
Overcoming inertia creates
large momentary pressure
spikes on the pump system.
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 Pulsation Dampener

AIR

FLUID

A pulsation dampener
minimizes the pressure
spikes by using compressed
air to absorb the forces due
to momentum of the fluid

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inertia.
The flow losses are called
acceleration/deceleration
forces.
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Pulsation Dampener
Principle of Operation: Air is compressible,
fluid is not.

Size dampener volume to 26 times

fluid displacement per stroke, or
consult piping program.
Charge dampener air pressure to
90% of fluid pressure. You must

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have backpressure for dampener to
be effective.
Locate dampener as close to pump
as possible, preferably as shown.
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Suction Lift vs. Flooded Suction
Suction Lift Flooded Suction
Actual lift = Rated lift Minimizes cavitation
(water)/ Specific and off-gassing
Gravity problems.
Requires foot Best for viscous fluids.
valve/strainer
Requires isolating
Short suction line best. valve.
Line should always be
Short suction line best.
sloping upwards.
Line should always be
Required for self- sloping upwards.
degassing pumps and

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Diaphragm failure can
degassing bleed
drain tank.
valves.

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Suction Side Pulsation Dampening

Where losses in suction

line cause cavitation, a
suction side pulsation
dampener may be
required. The air side of
the dampener should be
at atmospheric pressure
(not charged).

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 Foot Valve

The foot valve is Suction Tube

used in a suction
lift application to
Tube Fitting
prevent loss of
prime when the
pump is stopped, Check Ball
and to improve
repeatability by Ball Check Seat
preventing
cavitation. 30 mesh screen keeps
solids out

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Ceramic weight keeps
suction line straight,
ports let fluid in.
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Injection Valve
Injection quill puts chemical into flow for
good mixing

NPT thread to mount into pipe

Valve Spring (not used in PTFE valves) provides

backpressure, ensures ball seating.

Check Ball

Ball Check Seat

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Tube Fitting

Discharge Tubing from Pump

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 noelt:
noelt:
Real
Realpic
picofofcal
column
column
cal Calibration Column

Provide a verification of the

flow rate of the chemical feed
pump
Available in borosilicate
glass or PVC
Sizes from 100 mL to 10000

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mL
Marked in gallons or milliliters
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Multifunction Valve
Operated by smooth-action rotary
knobs which automatically return to
their initial position when released
Mounted directly on the liquid end of
the pump for:
Backpressure
Antisiphon
Pressure relief
Priming

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Draining the discharge line

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Float Switch
Monitors the fluid level in the chemical
tank
Single stage function
Minimum level indication with
simultaneous shut down of the
pump
Two stage function
First stage early warning
annunciation
Second stage will shut down the

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pump after an additional drop in
the fluid level

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Flow Monitor

The metering monitor is used to

monitor the volume per pump
stroke by using a plastic
encapsulated metal float that is
detected by the adjustable
proximity sensor. Adjustable
from 1-125 strokes. Plugs into
front of pump.

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 noelt:
noelt:
Ken
different Typical Accessory Installation
Kentotofind
find
graphic
different graphic
Suction Lift
Injection Valve prevents backflow from pipe
Backpressure/Antisiphon valve provides backpressure
for repeatability, prevents siphoning

Pressure gauge allows setting valve pressures

Pulsation dampener reduces head loss, pulsation

Pressure relief valve protects system components

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Foot valve/strainer prevents loss of prime, plugging
by solids
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 Piping Simulation

Used for motor driven pumps only

Shows if you need accessories

Solves problems BEFORE they happen

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Application will run well

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 Information Necessary
Pump type
Information from the technical data in the
catalog
Chemical being metered
Suction lift
Chemical tank pressure
Size and length of suction and discharge lines
Number of valves and fittings in the lines
Back-pressure
Discharge head

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Any Questions?

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