AODD Pump Applications in Electroplating and Anodizing Industry

AODD Pumps can be used for a variety of industries like chemical industry, mining and electroplating and anodizing, etc. Various sectors use a diverse range of pumps, and figuring out the best might be challenging. This case becomes particularly complicated when you have to choose the ideal pump in the electroplating and anodizing industry. Hence, to make things easy for you, let’s understand the best pumping solution for electroplating and anodizing industry.

What is Electroplating?

Electroplating is the method of depositing a metal on another by hydrolysis, which is mainly used to minimize metal corrosion or add a decorative touch to a surface. It is possible to achieve this result by applying an electric current to dissolve metal cations on the electrode, resulting in forming a thin cohesive conductive layer on the electrode.

It is common to use electroplating in the electrical oxidation of anions on a solid substrate, such as producing silver chloride on silver wire to make silver chloride electrodes oxidize anions on solid substrates.

What is Anodizing?

Anodizing is an electrochemical reaction that turns the surface of the metal into an attractive, resilient, highly corrosive, anodic oxide coating. Aluminum is ideally suited to electroplating; however other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, can be anodized.

Anodizing is achieved by immersing the aluminum into an acid electrolyte bath and conducting an electric charge to the medium. A cathode is affixed from the inside of the electroplating tank; the aluminum functions as an anode, such that oxide ions are removed from the electrolyte to join with the aluminum atoms at the surface of the item being anodized. Anodizing is, thus, a matter of strictly managed oxidation, the intensification of a found naturally.

Difference Between Electroplating and Anodizing?

The significant distinction between electroplating and anodizing is that electroplating is the process of depositing one metallic element on another base metal. In contrast, anodizing is the method of maximizing the density of the organic oxide layer on the surface of the metal substrates.

In the technique of electrolysis, the material of concern is utilized as the cathode of an electrolytic system, while in the anodization, the material functions as an anode, which contributes to its name, anodizing.

Electroplating is an analytical and industrial process, while anodizing is an electrochemical process in which passivation occurs. The purpose of electroplating is to increase wear and corrosion resistance and decorative purposes, while anodizing is used to expand the thickness of the natural oxide.

Similarities in electroplating and anodizing

The significant similarities between electroplating and anodizing are that they are electrochemical techniques. Other than this, both processes include the deposition of materials on a metal surface.

What are AODD Pumps?

According to their design, pumps with an air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) are classed as rotating, positive-displacement-style pumps. Once a stroke has been completed, they act by displacing fluid from one of the two fluids chambers in which they are contained. To function correctly, the AODD pumps require a specific level of pressure (defined in pounds per square inch) and air volume (analyzed in cubic feet per minute) to transport the appropriate fluid volume to the correct location.

AODD Pump Application in the Electroplating and Anodizing Industry

Air operated double diaphragm pumps are the ideal pumps for the electroplating and anodizing industries due to several reasons. Here are some of the major applications of air operated pumps in electroplating anodizing industry.

Provide Consistent Flow for Mixing of Plating Tanks without Introducing Air

It is necessary to use compressed air for the operation of AODD pumps, which can be found in almost all chemical-processing industries all over the globe. Incorporating the AODD pump into an existing electroplating and anodizing sector without the need for additional infrastructure changes is possible by utilizing the freely available air. The utilization of air to operate the pump is also the key to enabling it to perform one of its most sought-after functions: the capacity to deadhead without causing damage to the pump, system, or fluid. The operation of AODD pumps is simplified and made more versatile.

Fortunately, a newly designed air distribution system addresses this issue by including an air control spool that reduces the amount of air allowed into the pump at the end of each stroke. This reduces the amount of wasted energy that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere, as was previously the case.

Provide Flow-Through Filters to Keep Plating Solutions Clean

Another use of AODD Pumps in electroplating and anodizing is to provide flow through the filters to keep the plating solutions clean. To ensure that the plating solutions are clean, an AODD pump provides flow through the filters, which keeps the liquids clean. This ultimately also provides subsequent finishing in the processes like electroplating, electro-polishing, anodizing and electro-coating. Therefore, with the help of an AODD pump, electroplating and anodizing plating solutions can easily flow through the filters, which keep the solvents clean.

Empty and Refill Tanks with Plating Solutions

AODD Pumps are also used to empty and refill the tanks with plating solutions. Emptying the tanks right after the process is necessary to remove the dried residue to make sure they do not stick and mix with the new key. Thus, we can say that AODD pumps make the process of emptying and refilling tanks in the electroplating and anodizing industry a lot easier. Therefore, air operated pumps are the ideal for the electroplating and anodizing industry.

Transfer Chemicals and Rinse Waters from Sumps

Sumps are often used to collect unnecessary liquids that can be water and chemicals; the use of AODD Pumps in such a case transfers chemicals and rinse waters or any other kind of solvent from these sumps on time to accommodate more chemicals and solvents from the electroplating and anodizing processes. In this way, air operated pumps work at the core for clearing sumps and ensuring consistent recycling and disposing of materials.

Transfer Wastewater and Water Treatment Chemicals in On-Site Treatment Plants

Transferring wastewater and water treatment chemicals in on-site treatment plants is necessary to reduce the solvents' contaminations during the process. AODD Pumps are used in transferring the wastewater in the on-site treatment plants. These onsite treatment plants do the further process of electroplating and anodizing.

Why AODD Pumps Are Ideal for Electroplating and Anodizing Industry?

Here are a few reasons why AODD Pumps are ideal for the electroplating and anodizing industry. Read on to find out.

Non-Stalling Air Valve

One of the main reasons AODD Pumps is ideal for electroplating and anodizing is the non-stalling air valve. Because of the non-stalling nature of the AODD pumps in the electroplating and anodizing industry, the chemicals and solvents can be quickly processed, and the waste is removed consistently.

Variable Flow and Pressure

The AODD Pump is a diaphragm-actuated control valve operated by hydrostatic pressure and can perform two separate functions. No matter how much demand or how much upstream pressure changes, it retains both the pre-set flow rate and the reduction of higher upstream force to a lower constant downstream pressure.

This makes the pump quite advantageous in the electroplating and anodizing industry since the AODD Pumps helps in controlling the variable flow and pressure, causing the anodizing and electroplating procedures easier.

Handling of High Temperature

Since electroplating and anodizing involve the processing of chemicals at high temperatures, a durable and temperature-resistant diaphragm is necessary. An AODD Pump is one of the most powerful pumps in this case. The pump can handle high temperatures of the chemicals to be used in various electroplating and industrial anodizing processes.

Since the temperatures are usually high while processing the chemicals, using an AODD pump gives you an edge. Its long-lasting, durable, and temperature resistance design makes it convenient to carry out numerous electroplating and anodizing processes.

No Mechanical Seals

AODD pumps do not require mechanical seals because their sealing surfaces are static. With lifts more than 20 feet, they are self-priming, and they can run dry or against a sealed outflow without the aim of destroying the machine. In some instances, they are submerged in the process fluid while running. Because of its no mechanical seals factor, an AODD pump becomes quite significant for the electroplating and industrial anodizing processes, mainly because these processes involve liquids and solvents.

In addition to these operating benefits, AODD pumps are readily fixed and managed. They remain the best pick for electroplating and anodizing industrial applications, processing many substances, such as fuels, adhesives, varnishes, dyes, and food-based or dermatological liquids.

Self-Priming Option

In the case of liquid pumps, self-priming pumps are a specific form of liquid pump built to have the appropriate fluid within the cavity or pump body before the pumping operation begins. An AODD Pump in such a case is the best option for electroplating and industrial anodizing processes. The possibility for more significant productivity improvements in process facilities where pumps are employed for a range of repetitive but discontinuous methods is thereby enhanced.

An AODD pump is a surface tension pump that transfers liquids by using a blend of reciprocating action and then a flapper valve or a ball valve to control liquid flow. The self-priming nature of AODD pumps makes them particularly well suited for thick liquids, which means they are pretty helpful for the electroplating and anodizing industry.

Run Dry Ability

AODD pumps can operate without water for a lengthy period without causing damage to the pump or its elements. Pumps going dry is a pretty common occurrence. Running-dry conditions may cause harm to other types of positive displacement pumps, shortening their operational life and improving efficiency and effectiveness hours and costs. Because of its run dry ability, the AODD Pumps are used for various electroplating and anodizing processes.

Corrosion Resistance

Electroplating and anodizing industries usually carry out processes that involve chemicals - even the harsh and hazardous ones. These chemicals often harm the machinery or the pumps being used. Therefore, choosing one wisely is the key to preventing the damage. If you want a pump that doesn't damage quickly during the electroplating and anodizing processes, then AODD is the right choice. Since this pump is corrosion resistant, it is the right choice to use it in the electroplating and anodizing industry.

Cost-Effective

Throughout most cases, AODD pumps cost much below other cheerful displacement pump designs (such as lobe, gear, or progressive cavity). They also do not require pricey motors, electronics, or the necessity for specialist installation. But not in the case of AODD Pumps.

Considering that the durability and flexibility of AODD pumps make them trusted equipment of the electroplating and anodizing industry, they are a value compared to other pumps in the market. Investment and installation expenses, labor and replacement parts, energy prices, and waste transport and disposal costs all go into the cost of ownership of the pump.

The size of the pump and the materials used in its construction will naturally affect the price. Still, because there are many manufacturers to select from, the prices are usually reasonable. Pumps can be placed anywhere there is appropriate space for them, even submerged, assuming the liquid is suitable with the pump's substance and the exhaust is ported out of the liquid. As a result, installation expenses are modest.

Safe to Use

The safest design for pumping a variety of liquids, along with more aggressive chemicals, is considered to be the AODD pump. Since the electroplating and anodizing industries are mainly linked with chemical processes, an AODD pump is the right choice.

All that is needed to run an AODD pump is compressed air. No hazardous vapors are emitted due to this inherently safe design, which eliminates manufacturing line hazards. It's important to note that these containers can handle potentially dangerous materials because they are entirely sealed and leak-proof. Similarly, they can be submerged in a liquid for short periods without fear of contamination.

Conclusion

In conclusion, air operated pumps are widely used in electroplating and anodizing industry due to their unique characteristics and applications in the industry. Furthermore, air operated pumps are the better choice for electroplating and anodizing industry as compared to its alternatives. Hence, you should choose air operated double diaphragm pumps instead of other mechanical or electrical pumps.