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Continued from Part lll (Metallic Diaphragm Liquid Ends)
The hydraulic contour plate does not cause any problems in pump operation since the hydraulic fluid passes easily through the contour plate holes. However, a process contour plate, required by traditional disc diaphragm liquid ends, places limitations on the types of process fluids the pump can handle (such as slurries) since the process fluid must also pass through contour plate holes. The process contour plate also creates a pressure loss which raises the NPSH requirement of the liquid end.
The MARS System The MARS System eliminates the need for a process contour plate by assuring that the hydraulic fluid can only be refilled when the diaphragm has traveled all the way back to the hydraulic contour plate. The diaphragm presses against the MARS valve, which only then permits a poppet valve to open from the vacuum created by insufficient hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic overfill is therefore impossible. With the process contour plate gone, the straight through path of the process liquid makes the HPD a perfect choice for slurries and viscous materials. It also lowers the NPSH requirements of the pump, since pressure loss through a process contour plate is eliminated.
The MARS system also simplifies HPD start-up. Unlike other hydraulic liquid ends, the refill valve does not need adjustment. Additionally, since the HPD hydraulic fluid cannot be overfilled, there is no need to perform delicate procedures to synchronize hydraulic fluid balances (a difficult task required for tubular and other double diaphragm liquid ends). With the HPD, you just fill the reservoirs, and turn it on.
Advanced Liquid End Technology
HPD Preshaped Composite Diaphragm
The HPD features a preshaped PTFE/elastomer composite disc diaphragm. On the process side, the chemical resistance of PTFE is utilized. On the hydraulic side, the elastomer imparts favorable elastic and mechanical factors.
The composite diaphragm eliminates the inherent problems of pure PTFE diaphragms. PTFE tends to cold flow when compressed between two metal parts (such as those required to seal the hydraulic side from the process side).