
Pumps fail in abrasive service not because of the fluid, but because of the wrong design or material. Ball check pumps clog and wear fast. Flap valves pass large solids and resist abrasion. Cast iron and 316 stainless steel bodies withstand grit and sludge.
Ball check pumps have small flow paths and narrow seats that clog easily with solids over 10 mm. Flap valves open fully and allow 50 mm solids to pass without restriction. The DP3X series uses flap valves on all pumps rated for high solids.

Four steps to avoid premature failure.
Problem. A pump rated for 25 mm solids will fail quickly if the slurry contains 30 mm particles. The inlet spool and valve seat will wear or break.
How we solve it. Check the largest particle in your slurry. If it exceeds 10 mm, use a flap valve pump. The 3 inch model handles 50 mm solids. The 2 inch handles 35 mm. The 1 inch handles 20 mm.
Problem. 316 stainless steel wears in high abrasion slurry. Cast iron fails in corrosive sludge. A mismatched material causes rapid failure.
How we solve it. Use cast iron for abrasive slurry with low corrosion. Use 316 stainless steel for corrosive slurry with moderate abrasion. The seat is made from the same material as the body for consistent wear.
Problem. Running the pump at full speed increases diaphragm stress and seat wear. This shortens service life in abrasive service.
How we solve it. Reduce the air pressure to lower the stroke rate. A 3 inch cast iron pump can run at 3 bar (43 psi) instead of 6 bar (87 psi) to extend diaphragm life by up to 50%.
Problem. High suction velocity causes erosion in the inlet spool and air valve. This happens when the pump is oversized for the flow.
How we solve it. Ensure the suction velocity is below 2 m/s. For a 3 inch pump, this means flow should not exceed 897 LPM. For a 2 inch pump, stay below 651 LPM.

647 LPM and 8.3 bar from a 130 kg pump built for 50 mm solids. The only AODD in the range with a horizontal fluid path.
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897 LPM and 8.3 bar from a 96.7 kg cast iron body. The heavy duty volume pump in the DP3X range.
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651 LPM and 8.3 bar from a 56.4 kg cast iron body. The heavy duty workhorse of the DP3X range.
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897 LPM and 8.3 bar from a 100.79 kg stainless body. The high volume workhorse of the DP3X range.
View Specifications →Follow one full stroke through the pilot valve, the major air valve and both liquid chambers, and the rest of the pump stops being mysterious.
Buying GuideSizing an air diaphragm pump from the existing pipe size or the headline maximum flow guarantees poor performance. Here is how to select the right displacement and port size from actual duty conditions.
Material GuideCompare aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel and non metallic bodies by fluid, duty and weight, not by habit.
No. Ball check pumps have narrow flow paths and small seats that block at 10 mm. Use a flap valve pump for solids over 10 mm. The 3 inch model handles 50 mm solids.
The 3 inch cast iron pump is best. It has a wear-resistant body and seat. The flap valve design allows large solids to pass without damage.
Running at full pressure increases wear. Reduce air pressure to 3 bar (43 psi) to extend diaphragm and seat life. The pump will still deliver 897 LPM at lower speed.
Use 316 stainless steel for corrosion resistance. The body and seat are made from the same material. The flap valve design handles solids up to 50 mm.
No. The standard spool is designed for high solids. Use NPT or BSP threads as needed. The inlet diameter matches the port size to avoid restriction.
Tell us the maximum solid size, the fluid type, the flow rate and the expected duty. We will recommend the right pump and material.