What are the reasons why a diaphragm pump doesn’t perform well in winter?
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The liquid ammonia transfer pump in the power plant’s desulfurization system does not generate sufficient power when started in cold winter conditions; it often takes several hours before it can start working properly. What is the reason for this? Could some expert help analyze this and suggest some ways to improve it? Thank you first
Forgot to mention that the liquid ammonia transfer pump is a diaphragm pump
Diaphragm pumps may not perform well in winter because low temperatures increase the viscosity of the liquid inside the pump, making it difficult for the pump to draw up and transport the liquid. Furthermore, the material of diaphragm pumps may become more brittle and hard at low temperatures, affecting their proper operation. Improvement methods can include enhancing the insulation of the pump body, using liquids or diaphragm materials suitable for low temperatures, or preheating the pump body and the liquid to reduce difficulties during startup. .
At low temperatures, impurities in ammonia water crystallize, causing blockages or a reduction in the diameter, which in turn leads to a decrease in flow rate.
Thank you both. The weather is warm again now; we’ll have to wait until winter brings problems again to see if it can be solved. Thank you once more
There is too much moisture in the air, which freezes inside the diaphragm pump; lower the temperature or use alumina or molecular sieve for drying.
Diaphragm pumps must be equipped with check valves at both the inlet and outlet; in simple terms, these are just balls. When liquid ammonia is cold, crystalline deposits can interfere with the sealing effect of these balls, preventing proper flow at first. Over time, however, these crystalline deposits fall off the balls, allowing the check valves to function properly again and restoring normal operation.