If your chemical lines chatter, gauges flutter, or injection points “spit”, you are seeing normal side effects of positive-displacement dosing. Metering pumps move fluid in tiny gulps, not as a smooth stream. The fix isn’t to crank down a valve. It’s to tame pulsation so the system runs calm and accurate.
Here’s a plain-speak guide to why lines shake, what to add, and how to set it up right.
Pulsation dampener (discharge side).
A small pressure vessel with a bladder or gas charge. It soaks up the pressure spike and releases it between strokes. Think shock absorber for your pump.
Back-pressure valve.
Adds a steady minimum pressure so the pump’s check valves seal every time. It stops siphoning on downhill runs and steadies flow on short lines.
Relief valve.
Protects the pump head and tubing if a valve is closed or a line plugs. Set it a little higher than normal discharge pressure.
Larger ID or shorter tubing.
Bigger, straighter, shorter runs reduce friction, so pulses fade faster. Gentle bends beat tight elbows every time.
Good suction-side practice.
A foot valve/strainer, straight shot to the pump, and a degassing head for gassy chemicals (like bleach) keep the pump from “gulping” air.
Common mistakes to avoid
When to call for help
Tuned pulsation control gives you quieter lines, steadier numbers, and more accurate dosing. That means better process results, longer component life, and fewer nuisance alarms.
If you’d like a quick review of your metering pump setup, we can help size and place pulsation dampeners, back-pressure and relief valves, and get your injection quill and tubing sorted. Call Vissers Sales Corp at 1-800-367-4180 or visit our industrial pump systems to get started.
A calm line is a reliable line.
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