With the continuous advancement of industrial technology and the increasing maturity of pneumatic technology, the position and role of pneumatic pumps in industrial production are becoming increasingly important. It not only greatly improves work efficiency and reduces labor costs, but also enhances product quality and production safety. At the same time, pneumatic pumps can also be customized according to user needs to meet the requirements of different occasions.

Pneumatic pumps are suitable for various industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food, papermaking, printing and dyeing, and environmental protection. They can transport various media, including difficult to handle liquids with high viscosity, easy crystallization, and volatility. Pneumatic pumps have high conveying efficiency and can achieve continuous and stable working processes, saving energy consumption.

What is the difference between pneumatic pumps and electric pumps introduced by pneumatic pump manufacturers?

1、 Power source

Pneumatic pump

The power source is compressed air. It drives the pump by converting the energy of compressed air into mechanical energy. Compressed air is usually provided by an air compressor. The characteristic of this power source is that it is relatively safe to use in environments with flammable and explosive hazards. Because air itself does not generate electric sparks, it is suitable for places with flammable and explosive gases or liquids such as chemical, petroleum, and coal mines.

Electric pump

By relying on electric power, electrical energy is usually converted into mechanical energy through motors. The motor drives the impeller, piston and other components of the pump to move, thereby achieving the transportation of liquid. Electric pumps need to be connected to a power source, and their performance is affected by factors such as power stability and voltage fluctuations.

2、 Work performance

Pressure and flow regulation

Pneumatic pump: easy to adjust. By controlling the pressure and flow rate of compressed air entering the pneumatic pump, the output pressure and flow rate of the pump can be effectively changed. For example, in some chemical production processes that require flexible adjustment of flow rate according to actual working conditions, increasing compressed air pressure can improve the output pressure and flow rate of pneumatic pumps.

Electric pump: Flow and pressure regulation are relatively complex. Some electric pumps require devices such as frequency converters to adjust the motor speed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure. Moreover, the performance curve of electric pumps is relatively fixed, and the adjustment range may be limited by factors such as motor power and pump design parameters.

Self suction ability

Pneumatic pump: It usually has strong self-priming ability. Generally, it can self suction liquids several meters high, and some pneumatic pumps can self suction up to 8-9 meters. This is because during startup, the air inside the pump chamber can be effectively expelled, creating sufficient vacuum to suck in the liquid.

Electric pump: The self-priming capacity varies depending on the type of pump. Some centrifugal electric pumps have poor self-priming ability and need to be filled with liquid before starting to work properly; However, self-priming electric pumps have a certain self-priming ability, but their self-priming height is generally not as high as pneumatic pumps.

work efficiency

Pneumatic pump: The energy conversion efficiency is relatively low. Due to energy loss during the conversion of compressed air into mechanical energy in pneumatic motors, including friction loss, gas leakage, etc., the overall efficiency may only be around 30% -40%.

Electric pump: relatively high efficiency. Especially for some efficient electric pumps, the energy conversion efficiency can reach 70% -80%. This is because the energy loss of the motor is relatively small during the process of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, especially in well-designed combinations of motors and pumps.

3、 Applicable media

Pneumatic pump:

It can transport various media, especially suitable for transporting liquids containing solid particles, corrosiveness, and high viscosity. For example, it can transport chemical reaction solutions containing solid catalysts, fruit juices containing fruit pulp particles, strong acid and alkali solutions, etc. This is because the internal structure of pneumatic pumps (such as diaphragm pneumatic pumps) can separate liquids from moving parts, preventing liquid leakage and contamination of moving parts.

Electric pump:

The conveying effect is better for clean and low viscosity liquids. Although there are also some electric pumps that can be used to transport liquids containing small amounts of solid particles, special materials and designs may be required to prevent pump body damage when handling high viscosity, corrosive liquids. For example, electric centrifugal pumps are widely used in conveying low viscosity liquids such as clean water and lubricating oil; But for high viscosity asphalt, ordinary electric pumps may be difficult to work effectively.

4、 Working environment

Regarding noise

Pneumatic pump: There is a loud noise during operation. This is caused by factors such as the rapid release of compressed air, the movement of pistons or blades, and the flow of liquids, and the noise level may reach 80-90 decibels or even higher.

Electric pump: Generally, the working noise is relatively low. Especially for some well-designed low-noise electric pumps, the noise during operation can be controlled at a lower level, such as around 60-70 decibels, making them suitable for use in environments with strict noise requirements.

Explosion proof requirements

Pneumatic pump: Due to its power source being air, it has explosion-proof characteristics and high safety when used in flammable and explosive environments. It will not cause explosion accidents due to electric sparks, etc.

Electric pump: When used in flammable and explosive environments, special explosion-proof design is required, such as using explosion-proof motors, otherwise there is a risk of explosion. Moreover, the cost of explosion-proof electric pumps is relatively high.

Pneumatic pumps are generally divided into two types: reciprocating pneumatic pumps and diaphragm pneumatic pumps. The reciprocating pneumatic pump is mainly composed of components such as cylinder, piston, and valve. Through the action of compressed air, the piston moves back and forth in the cylinder, thereby achieving the purpose of suction and discharge of liquid. The diaphragm pneumatic pump uses compressed air to open the diaphragm, thereby achieving the suction and discharge of liquid. The two types of pneumatic pumps have different working principles and structures, but both have advantages such as high efficiency, energy saving, flexibility, and safety.

Pneumatic pumps are usually composed of pneumatic actuators, inlet and outlet valves, exhaust valves, hydraulic cylinders, and pneumatic test pumps. Among them, the pneumatic actuator plays a leading role in converting external energy into the motion force of its internal diaphragm, thereby driving the valve core piston to move up and down, producing suction and exhaust effects in the space inside the pump body, and achieving the delivery of liquid.