Maximize Chemical-Injector Pump Performance;
For the
Carwash Industry
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There are two primary pump
classifications that spawn a multitude of subgroups, or branches.
Displacement and dynamic are both essential pumps that are used
throughout the carwash industry.
Displacement pumps include two important categories,
and further sub-categories:
1.) Reciprocating
2.) Rotary
Dynamic pumps also include two categories:
1.) Centrifugal
- Axial flow (impeller)
- Radial
2.) Special effect
Carwashes today use the majority of these pumps.
Centrifugal pumps, which are an essential asset in low water pressure
areas, are used for pumping large amounts of water.
Piston pumps are important in water reclamation
and reverse osmosis systems.
Displacement style pumps, or more specifically
reciprocating diaphragm, are the preferred way to pump carwash
chemicals; rotary peristaltic pumps are also used for pumping specific
chemicals. |
Delivery pumps
These pumps are properly called displacement pumps.
Remember, both reciprocating diaphragm and rotary peristaltic are often
referred to, in the industry, as chemical dispensers, injectors,
metering pumps, diaphragm pumps or chem-feeds.
The rotary peristaltic is often referred to as a
tube or squeeze-tube pump.
Most modern carwashes come equipped with chemical
injector pumps as standard equipment. These diaphragm pumps inject
precise amounts of carwash chemical into the wash line. The chemicals
used vary; they could be soaps or various waxes, drying agents or
under-car cleaners.
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Displacement style pumps, being made here, are the preferred way
to pump carwash chemicals. |
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These diaphragm injector
pumps are not standard off-the-shelf pumps — they are a hybrid variety.
These special injector pumps are required to start and stop, in some
cases, hundreds of times per day.
They are also required to:
- Handle a wide variety of chemicals
- Be completely adjustable
- Handle wet environments
- Be field serviceable.
Chemical injectors require periodic maintenance, with
the amount of maintenance depending on the level of activity at the
wash.
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Get better performance
To maximizing your chemical-injector pump
performance:
- Avoid running chemical containers dry. While
the pump may not be mechanically harmed, pumping air will cause the
valves to build up a residue of dried chemical.
- After changing out chemical containers, make
sure the pump is primed and most air is purged out of the pump head.
- Inspect and, if necessary, replace your
diaphragm at least every six months. Also inspect the top and bottom
valves -- clean or replace as necessary.
- Keep spare liquid ends (assembled pump head
kits) handy. It’s far easier to replace a diaphragm and pump head
complete with valves (usually just four screws) than it is to detail
every o-ring and ball seat. Time is money.
- Inspect your
foot-valve strainer quarterly.
- Chemical injectors are easy to prime when the
discharge (pressure) line is removed or vented. After the pump is
primed, reattach the discharge line to the top pump-head valve or
close the vent relief.
- Always wear eye protection when working on
chemical injectors or when changing out containers.
- Avoid changing chemical brands without
researching the compatibility on your injector pumps.
- A flow
indicator installed on the suction tubing of your injector is an
outstanding diagnostic tool. At a glance, you can see if the pump is
working properly.
Robin Gledhill, President
Blue-White Industries
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
www.Blue-White.com
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