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Low vs High Viscosity Performance - How AODDs handle both with ease
Low vs High-Viscosity Performance: How AODD Pumps Handle Both with Ease
When selecting a pump for your process, one of the most important factors to consider is fluid viscosity. Whether you're pumping water-thin solvents or thick, sticky slurries, viscosity can significantly affect flow rate, pump life, and overall system performance.
In this blog post we'll break down how viscosity impacts pumping, and why Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pumps are uniquely suited to handle both low- and high-viscosity fluids effectively.
🧪 What Is Viscosity?
In simple terms, viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. The thicker or more “sticky” the liquid, the higher its viscosity.
|
Example Fluid |
Viscosity Level |
|
Water |
Low (1 cP) |
|
Motor oil |
Medium (100–500 cP) |
|
Syrup, honey |
High (3,000–10,000 cP) |
|
Peanut butter, adhesives |
Very high (>50,000 cP) |
High-viscosity fluids move slower and require more force to pump.
Low viscosity fluids such as water, alcohols and light solvents flow easily and don’t require much suction or discharge pressure.
Why AODD pumps work well:
- They have a gentle, pulsing action which maintains control of fast flowing fluids.
- With no seals or impellers means less maintenance and no wear down from low viscosity erosion.
- Adjustable flow & pressure via air regulation.
High viscosity fluids are where AODD pumps really shine. Their positive displacement design and large internal clearances allow them to move viscous materials with ease.
How AODD pumps excel:
- They have no rotating parts to clog or stall.
- AODDs can move fluid at slower speeds to reduce shear ( handling fluids more gently, avoiding breakdown or damage).
- They have a strong suction lift to 'pull' heavy fluids into the pump.
- Finaly, diaphragms displace thick liquids without relying on velocity or centrifugal force.
⚙️ Performance Tips Based on Viscosity
|
Viscosity Range |
Considerations |
AODD Performance Enhancements |
|
Low (< 100 cP) |
Risk of cavitation if over-pumped |
Reduce air pressure to control flow |
|
Medium (100–5,000 cP) |
May require larger ball/seat sizes |
Use a larger port size to reduce restriction |
|
High (>5,000 cP) |
Risk of suction starvation |
Shorter suction line, larger bore hose |
|
Very High (>20,000 cP) |
Fluid may “settle” between strokes |
Use pulsation dampeners, keep short runs |
Whether you're pumping water-thin solvents or ultra-viscous resins, AODD pumps offer unmatched versatility and reliability across the viscosity spectrum. They adapt easily to changing fluid types with minimal adjustment — perfect for industries where flexibility and durability are key.
✅ Ready to find a pump that performs across all viscosities? Explore our full AODD pump range here, or speak to our technical team to match the right model to your process.
If you want to find even more out on AODD pumps visit our complete guide here.