2 - Advice

Characteristics of the dosing pump

Definition Operating cycle
The principal characteristic of a dosing pump is that it has, by its construction, a variable swept volume. All Milton Roy Europe dosing pumps are adjustable, while operating or at rest, between 0% and 100% of the output marked on the pump nameplate. Being a reciprocating pump, the dosing pump shows two of these particularities: it generates a pulsed flow and this is practically independant of the discharge pressure. These properties are illustrated in diagrams.

Operating cycle Dosing pump characteristics

Dosing pumps belong to the family of reciprocating volumetric pumps. Differing from centrifugal pumps, which generate speed, dosing pumps generate volume. Pumps are classified into two main categories: pumps which generate velocity by applying mechanical energy to the pumped fluid: these are generally centrifugal-type pumps (or similar), pumps which generate, or more precisely, displace a controlled volume. The second category includes what are called positive-displacement pumps. These can be reciprocating pumps or rotary pumps of various kinds, such as peristaltic pumps, gear pumps, impellers, lobe pumps and progressing cavity pumps. Within this category, there is a further distinction between pumps which generate a constant fixed controlled volume and reciprocating-type pumps which generate a controlled volume which can be increased or decreased by mechanically adjusting the plunger stroke for example. The concept of dosing pumping applications is wider and not so easy to categorise. Some would use the term dosing system to describe an arrangement where a centrifugal pump is used in conjunction with a control valve which regulates the flow rate by adjusting the back pressure. The term more generally refers to positive-displacement type pumps. Changes to the pump rotation speed provide a relatively high degree of metering accuracy for a given controlled volume. The only available standard for metering pumps is very narrow in its scope, as it relates only to reciprocating displacement pumps having a mechanical or hydraulic system for adjusting the pump volume. The standard in question is API 675 (published by the American Petroleum Institute) and covers applications associated with the oil industry. Various parameters dictate the final selection of the pump: The first stages of selection come from considerations of flow rate and pressure. Additional consideration of the power required from the pump then determines which range to choose. Viscosity of the process fluid is the second factor to be taken into account; this determines the type of valve (standard ball or spring assisted) and the maximum stroke rate. Unlike a centrifugal pump, the reciprocating action of a dosing pump interact greatIy with the suction and discharge pipework in an installation. At last, NPSH must be also a consideration in the selection process for discharge pipework interaction and for NPSH calculations.

Dosing pump characteristics

Pulsed flow A dosing pump is a reciprocating pump with adjustable swept volume. The operating cycle of a simplex pump is illustrated below:
Instantaneous flow Hourly flow rate Suction Discharge Swept volume DISCHARGE PHASE

Time Complete cycle SUCTION PHASE

Stroke length

FLOW RATE = Swept volume x Number of cycles per hour Flow The flow is not proportional to the swept volume and therefore the stroke length. The flow is also proportional to the stroke speed and therefore that of the motor.
Flow Q Q max. Q max. 2

Zero flow

0%

50 %

100 %

Stroke setting in %

Flow precision The flow is not affected by variations in discharge pressure. The accuracy of an industrial dosing pump, correctly selected and installed, is generally better than 0.5%.
Flow Q Dosing pump

Centrifugal pump

Pressure P

Advice 2 - Characteristics of the dosing pump June 2007

www.miltonroy-europe.com