AODD+ Pumps: A Revolutionary Step Forward in Pump Technology
Discover why Flotronic® air-operated double-diaphragm pumps are so advanced that we had to call them AODD+.
Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps have been in use since the 1950s, valued for their versatility across numerous applications. However, a major downside of conventional AODD pumps is the lengthy cleaning process, typically requiring over two hours of manual labor.
For years, users accepted this inconvenience, but Flotronic's engineering team was determined to innovate. They focused on the key issue: the time-consuming process of disassembling an AODD pump, which required removing it from the line and dismantling significant pipework to access the pump chambers. With multiple bolts securing the chambers, the process was cumbersome.
Their solution? A completely reimagined AODD pump that’s quick to clean, compact, low-maintenance, and self-draining. For operators facing challenges like labor shortages, retiring skilled workers, and rising material costs, this new design is a true game-changer.
If you’ve used an AODD pump before, the Flotronic AODD+ is unlike anything you’ve seen.
Flotronic's engineers took a fresh perspective, proposing a radical idea: reverse the pump’s configuration. By routing the process fluid through the center of the pump rather than through external pipework, they eliminated the need for cumbersome piping. They then introduced another groundbreaking innovation: redesigning the pump body so that the entire assembly could be secured with just one large nut. This led to the creation of the Flotronic One-Nut® technology.
The One-Nut design brought additional benefits, such as a smaller pump footprint, reduced maintenance time, and minimized product loss during cleaning. Together, these improvements have culminated in a superior AODD pump, which we proudly call AODD+.
What Sets Slimline AODD+ Pumps Apart?
While Flotronic offers a full range of AODD pumps, the Slimline Series has earned the AODD+ designation due to its distinct advantages:
Space Efficiency: As the name suggests, Slimline pumps are more compact than traditional AODD pumps with similar capacities, making them easier to integrate into existing production lines.
Enhanced Durability: The One-Nut design optimizes piston stroke length, allowing for the use of reinforced diaphragms as a standard feature. These stronger diaphragms last millions of cycles, reducing the frequency of diaphragm replacements and making life easier for maintenance managers.
Minimal Product Residue: By eliminating pipework, the design ensures that minimal product remains in the pump during maintenance or cleaning, reducing mess and preventing waste, especially in high-value applications like cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
Rapid Cleaning: The Flotronic Slimline AODD+ pumps can be manually cleaned in just 15 minutes, a significant reduction from the two hours typically required for conventional AODD pumps. The labor savings over a budget year can easily justify the investment in these pumps.
External Cleaning Compatibility: Although Slimline pumps can be cleaned in place like other AODD pumps, they are also the only AODD pumps that can be used with external cleaning rigs at pressures up to 7 Bar (100 psi), which is ideal for facilities lacking Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems on every line.
The Advantages of AODD Pumps
In addition to the specific benefits of the Slimline AODD+ pumps, all AODD pumps, including Flotronic's models, offer general advantages such as:
Self-Priming Capability
Deadhead Operation
Gentle Product Handling
Handling High Viscosity Fluids
Simple and Reliable Operation
Suitability for Explosive Environments
Flotronic Slimline AODD+ Pumps: Versatility for Your Applications
Flotronic Slimline Series pumps are available in four sizes, catering to different process capacities and flow rates. Sizes are based on diaphragm diameter: 7-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch. They come with various connection options, including threaded, hygienic, and flanged, ranging from ½-inch to 3-inch. The pumps are also available in different materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, and specialty metals like Hastelloy®, to suit any application.
These pumps are designed for hygienic applications, particularly excelling in the transfer of viscous products where cleanliness is paramount—such as in cosmetics, personal care products, and food items like yogurt and mayonnaise. Engineered with 3A guidelines in mind, these pumps are manufactured from FDA-approved materials, with a crevice-free interior and no welds for maximum cleanliness.
The newest addition to the Flotronic Slimline family is the 14-inch model. This large-capacity pump offers a simple way to boost productivity per line, with 3-inch connections that double the flow rate of the 12-inch model. Effectively, it performs the work of two pumps without doubling the maintenance requirements. Additionally, the 14-inch pump can handle larger particles, up to 0.787 inches, making it versatile for more applications. It is also the first AODD pump of its size capable of accommodating CIP processes, reducing labor costs and the risk of pump damage during manual cleaning.
Solving a Contamination Issue with AODD+ Pumps
A Japanese food manufacturer faced contamination issues with metal particles in their kimchi sauce, detected by sensors in the process pipework. The source of the problem was the steel-on-steel friction in their rotary pumps, which led to metal fragments entering the product stream.
Each time contamination was detected, the production line had to be halted, and the pumps and pipework had to be stripped and cleaned, causing a loss of two to three hours of production and significant product waste.
After seeing the Flotronic Slimline AODD+ pump at an exhibition in Tokyo, the manufacturer was impressed by its easy disassembly and cleaning process, as well as the absence of steel-on-steel contact that could lead to contamination.
After installing the Slimline AODD+ pump, the metal particle issue was resolved, and the bacterial count in the sauce dropped to zero. The pumps are cleaned in place once a week at 90°C, using the optional reinforced high-temperature diaphragms.
Seeing is Believing
Thanks to its One-Nut design, a Flotronic AODD+ pump significantly reduces cleaning and maintenance time compared to a conventional AODD pump. A worker can disassemble, service, and reassemble an AODD+ pump in minutes rather than hours, freeing up time for other maintenance tasks.
Watch our video for a head-to-head comparison of maintenance on an AODD+ pump versus a traditional AODD pump. See for yourself how many fewer steps are involved and the impressive time savings achieved. Watch the video now.
In every aspect, AODD+ pumps exemplify how advancements in pump technology can transform product transfer applications. They enhance operational efficiency by saving labor, ensuring cleanliness, simplifying cleaning, and reducing product waste.
Contact one of our experts to discuss your application and learn more about how Flotronic AODD+ pumps differ from any pump you've seen before.
