Plunger Pump vs. Diaphragm Pump – Which Pump Best Suits Your Application?

Selecting the right pump can make all the difference in pumping liquids for various industrial applications. It’s essential to consider factors such as flow rate, pressure, and the fluid you’re pumping. 

Two popular types of pumps are the plunger pump and the diaphragm pump. Each one has its unique features and is ideal for select applications. Read on to learn more about plunger pumps vs. diaphragm pumps and which one is right for you.

JAECO Plunger Pumps

JAECO plunger pumps are more suited for industrial applications, such as pumping fuel additives and fertilizer. Plunger pumps offer a 0.38-150 GPH flow rate and 75-2,000 PSIG pressure. They’re a low-cost and trouble-free solution for continuous accurate chemical and solution metering applications.

All JAECO plunger pumps have been thoroughly tested, epoxy painted, and completely assembled on a base plate. They’re available in simplex and duplex models and you can 

field-convert them from simplex to duplex.

Plunger Pump Features & Benefits

There is a wide range of features and benefits that JAECO plunger pumps offer:

• You can manually adjust the capacity only when the pump stops.
• You can reverse the pump arm to reduce the footprint. 
• They are available with or without a motor.
• The pistons usually are 180° out of phase, but you can synchronize them so that you’re simultaneously pumping two fluids, such as resin and a hardener.
• JAECO plunger pumps have an accuracy of ± .5% at steady state.
• They have an oil bath gear lubrication system.

Plunger Pump Options

JAECO plunger pumps come with several options:

• Double ball check valves with or without spring-loaded balls
• Purge-port plugs, available in the cylinder end, can help clean contaminates when switching between products
• Purge-port plugs also provide easy access to the cylinder without breaking pipe connections
• 440 hardened plunger for abrasive fluids

Plunger Pump Accessories

There are many accessories that you can add to a JAECO plunger pump:

• Pressure relief valves
• Back pressure valves
• Calibration columns
• Pulsation dampeners
• Pressure gauges

To learn more about JAECO’s line of plunger pumps, click here. To request a quote on a specific model, click here.

JAECO FRAM Diaphragm Pumps

JAECO FRAM diaphragm pumps are routinely used where the pumped fluid must remain pure and uncontaminated, such as in food and water applications. They offer completely leak-proof and accurate metering of liquids that are difficult to handle.

Our diaphragm metering pumps are hydraulically actuated, experience minimal wear, and require little maintenance. The separate chambers for gear lubricant and hydraulic fluid allow for the best medium for hydraulic diaphragm pulsing and gear lubrication. 

The result is a high-performance pump that lasts an extremely long time. The JAECO diaphragm pump is available in simplex and duplex models and you can also field-convert them from simplex to duplex.

Diaphragm Pump Features & Benefits

There are many different features and benefits that JAECO diaphragm pumps offer:

• A patented, high-performance, heavy-duty gear reducer system
• The hydraulically-actuated diaphragm minimizes fatigue
• There are no plunger seals to replace or leak
• You can adjust the capacity while the pump is idle or running
• The oil bath gear lubrication eliminates the need for maintenance typically required by auxiliary oil or packing grease systems

Diaphragm Pump Options

There are several options for JAECO diaphragm pumps:

• Double ball check valves with or without spring-loaded balls
• Double diaphragm available to ensure no cross-contamination in the event of a diaphragm rupture
• Specially designed for accurate, completely leak-proof metering of difficult-to-handle liquids

Diaphragm Pump Accessories

JAECO diaphragm pumps have many available optional accessories:

• Pressure relief valves
• Backpressure valves
• Calibration columns
• Pulsation dampeners
• Pressure gauges