Air-Operated Diaphragm Pumps
Portable, self-priming AODD pumps for solids-laden, viscous and hazardous fluid transfer — ATEX-rated where required.
Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps are the go-to portable transfer solution on any site — self-priming, dead-headable, and available in ATEX/IECEx-certified configurations for hazardous-area service. They handle solids, high viscosities, and chemicals that would destroy an ordinary centrifugal.
Paragon supplies AODD pumps from 1/2" to 3" in metallic and plastic bodies with a full range of diaphragm and check-valve elastomers.
How it works
- 1Compressed air drives two opposing diaphragms via a central air-shift valve.
- 2As one diaphragm draws fluid into its chamber through the suction check valve, the other pushes fluid out through the discharge check valve.
- 3The air-shift valve reverses the stroke; flow is inherently pulsating and can be dampened with a pulsation damper on discharge.
- 4Flow scales linearly with air pressure and volume — the pump can be dead-headed against a closed discharge without damage.
Typical specifications
Specifications indicative — actual configuration sized against your specific process.
Typical applications
- Portable site transfer of drilling waste, slop and sludge
- Chemical drum decanting and dosing
- Sump and bund emptying in hazardous areas
- Tank stripping and cleaning operations
- Filter-press feed on batch dewatering rigs
Selection factors
Body material matches the chemistry
Aluminium is cheap but attacked by chlorides and many acids; 316L handles most produced water and chemicals; PP/PVDF is the right answer for strong acids and solvents. Spec for the worst case, not the average.
Diaphragm & check-ball elastomer
Elastomer choice drives service life and chemical compatibility. Santoprene handles most water service; PTFE-faced diaphragms are essential for aggressive chemicals and solvents.
Air supply sizes the duty
AODD pumps are only as strong as the air supply. Undersized compressors and long air lines starve the pump and cripple flow. Size air supply against actual duty, including line losses.
“If an AODD pump is running slow, check the air supply pressure at the pump — not at the compressor. Nine out of ten times the problem is line loss, not the pump.”
Spares we supply
Why Choose Paragon
30+ years of field experience
Our engineers have specified, commissioned and troubleshot equipment on projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Independent technical advice
We are not tied to a single manufacturer — recommendations are driven by fit for your process, not by margin.
Global sourcing network
Trusted OEM and specialist aftermarket suppliers, with dual-sourced wear parts to protect you from lead-time risk.
Delivered ready to work
Inspection, testing, commissioning and technical support included — not left as an afterthought.
Responsive engineering support
One working-day response on technical enquiries, and hands-on troubleshooting when you need it.
Long-term client relationships
Most of our work comes from clients we've supported through multiple projects and equipment life cycles.
Need help specifying a air-operated diaphragm pumps?
Share your flow rate, feed characteristics and site constraints — our engineers will come back with a concrete configuration and budget within one working day.
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