Metallic Flap Valve Pump: The Beast
Air Operated Double Diaphragm pumps, also known as AODD’s, have been a staple in the toughest of applications for decades, and Warren Rupp’s Sandpiper brand has been a leading producer for just as long. There are several challenges that have limited the efficiencies of AODD pumps in difficult slurry and solid-filled liquid pumping environments like coal mines and outdoor sumps.
A look at how solid particles move through the BEAST pump.
Solids often get bound up in ball valve pumps and the previously produced flap valves utilizing rubber or poly material were breaking down and requiring maintenance too often. A flap would get damaged and not effectively seal of a pump chamber, greatly reducing the pumps ability to perform. Sometimes those valves would be sheered off completely, rendering the pump inoperable. In many cases, similar to what we found in speaking with an underground coal mine in West Virginia, these pumps would often only operate for a week or two before needing maintenance and repair.
Armed with this information the engineering team at Warren Rupp got to work designing a solution to increase the longevity of AODD pumps functioning in abrasive slurry, chemical, or large solid applications. Warren Rupp had been producing poly flap valve pumps since it’s inception, but it was time for an upgrade. A stronger and sturdier flap valve construction needed developed, but it needed to remain lightweight and easy to move in underground environments. It needed to be resistant to chemicals and abrasion, able to pass solids nearly as large as the diameter of the pump, and remain in commission for more than just a couple weeks.
An exploded view of how to access the wet side of the pump for maintenance.
After years of ideation, months of development and testing, the engineering and product development teams landed on a metallic flap valve poly AODD pump aptly named the “BEAST”. The metallic flap rotates on a hinge rather than a fold like the previous rubber versions, making the rotation of the flap to clear and seal pump chambers smooth and resilient. The flap was also designed with a specific center of gravity to aid in sealing the chamber more quickly after each stroke to increase the pumps efficiency. Furthermore, the engineering team had foresight and recognized that this new technology is great for new production, but that a retrofit kit would be the best way to serve our existing customers, so they made it’s bolted design adaptable for previous Sandpiper AODD designs.
In the end, the “BEAST” is a product of using market research to accurately assess the pain points of AODD end users. Armed with information from case studies in those various harsh applications, we were able to evaluate the needs of our customers and develop a solution that enables them to operate their businesses more efficiently and effectively.