Diaphragm Pumps

Air-operated double diaphragm pumps (AODD pumps), also referred to as pneumatic diaphragm pumps, are the standard choice for transferring aggressive, flammable or shear-sensitive media in ATEX-classified environments. Driven entirely by compressed air, they contain no electrical components in the fluid path — eliminating the ignition risk at the medium. They self-prime from dry, tolerate solids and abrasive particles, and run dry without damage. Flow is controlled by adjusting air pressure: no frequency inverter, no motor controller required.

How an air-operated diaphragm pump works

Compressed air alternates between two chambers, each sealed by a flexible diaphragm. As one diaphragm extends into its fluid chamber, it displaces medium through the outlet check valve. The opposing diaphragm simultaneously retracts, drawing fresh medium in through the inlet valve. The cycle repeats continuously in opposition, driven entirely by the air supply. The only moving parts in contact with the fluid are the diaphragms and the ball check valves — no impeller, no shaft, no mechanical seal subject to wear. It is this construction that gives membrane pumps their tolerance for abrasive, viscous and shear-sensitive media. This is why AODD pumps are preferred in Zone 1 and Zone 2 ATEX areas: there is no electrical component present in the medium zone.

The Jessberger JP-810 Series

The JP-810 is Jessberger's ATEX-certified AODD pump series, covering connection sizes from ¼" BSP to 3" with flow rates between 8 and 1,050 l/min. All models run on compressed air at up to 8 bar and carry ATEX Zone 2 certification as standard. Four housing materials — PP, PVDF, aluminium and AISI 316 — span light chemical service through to aggressive acid and food-adjacent applications.

Many media handled by AODD pumps — resins, adhesives, palm oil, bitumen — require heating before they reach a pumpable viscosity. If pre-heating is part of your process, the drum heater range covers 25–200L containers as the preparation step upstream of the pump.

ModelConnectionMax flowMax viscosityHousing options
JP-810.8¼" BSP8 l/min5,000 mPasPP, POM, PVDF
JP-810.203/8" BSP20 l/min10,000 mPasPP, POM, PVDF, AISI 316
JP-810.35½" BSP35 l/min15,000 mPasPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.56½" BSP55 l/min15,000 mPasPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.60½" BSP65 l/min20,000 mPasPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.90¾" BSP100 l/min25,000 mPasPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.1201" BSP120 l/min25,000 mPasPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.1601" BSP170 l/min35,000 mPasALU
JP-810.1711" BSP170 l/min35,000 mPasPP, PVDF
JP-810.2501¼" BSP250 l/minALU
JP-810.2521¼" BSP250 l/minPP, PVDF, AISI 316
JP-810.4001½" DN40400 l/minPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.7002" DN50700 l/minPP, PVDF, ALU, AISI 316
JP-810.10503" BSP1,050 l/minPP, ALU, AISI 316

Selecting a housing material

Housing material determines chemical compatibility, temperature limits and applicable certifications. Each material ships with a Jessberger-recommended diaphragm and seal configuration as standard.

MaterialBest forStandard diaphragm & sealsAvoid
PP Acids, alkalis, water-based media, electroplating chemicals Hytrel diaphragm, PTFE balls, PP seats Aromatic and chlorinated solvents; concentrated oxidising acids
PVDF Halogenated solvents, strong oxidising acids (HF, HNO₃), aggressive chemicals PTFE/Santoprene diaphragm, PTFE balls, PVDF seats Strong bases (NaOH >20%), ketones, esters
ALU Light fuels, hydrocarbons, oils, non-aqueous media NBR/Santoprene diaphragm, INOX seats Aqueous media, acids, alkalis, any corrosive medium
AISI 316 Mild acids, pharmaceutical-grade liquids, food-adjacent applications Hytrel/PTFE diaphragm, PTFE balls, INOX seats Concentrated halide acids (HCl, HF), high-chloride environments

Product lines

  • Standard (Zone 2) — ATEX-certified for gas and dust atmospheres in Zone 2. All 14 models available.
  • Conductive (Zone 1) — Electroconductive housing variants (PP+CF, PVDF+CF) for Zone 1 installations where the pump body itself must dissipate static charge. Available on request.
  • FOOD — AISI 316 with electro-polished wetted surfaces, Tri-Clamp connections and FDA-compliant diaphragm and seal materials. Available on request.

Typical applications

  • Transfer of acids, alkalis and electroplating chemicals in chemical processing plants
  • Pumping adhesives, resins and UV lacquers in printing and surface coating operations
  • Transferring paints, inks and pigment dispersions — including abrasive formulations with solid particles up to 7.5 mm
  • Dosing and transfer of lubricants, motor oils and hydraulic fluids in industrial maintenance
  • Pharmaceutical and cosmetic liquid transfer requiring cleanable, seal-free pump construction
  • Pumping flammable solvents and fuels in ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas
  • Direct replacement for electric-driven transfer pumps in areas where compressed air is available and electrical installation is restricted
  • Emptying drums and IBCs containing high-viscosity media where no electrical drive is permitted near the container

Frequently Asked Questions — Air-Operated Diaphragm Pumps

Can AODD pumps run dry without damage?

+

Yes. Because the diaphragm is driven by air pressure rather than friction against a shaft seal, the pump sustains no damage when run dry. This is a practical advantage when emptying containers: the pump continues operating after the last of the medium has passed through, without risk of overheating or seal failure. Extended dry running at full air pressure will accelerate diaphragm wear over time, but causes no immediate damage to pump internals.

What does ATEX Zone 2 certification mean for a pump?

+

Zone 2 designates areas where a flammable atmosphere is present occasionally under normal operations. A pump certified for Zone 2 must not produce sparks or hot surfaces capable of igniting the surrounding atmosphere. AODD pumps satisfy this by design: the air motor and fluid path contain no electrical components, and the pumping action generates no metal-on-metal friction. The JP-810 Standard carries ATEX certification for both gas (Zone 2) and dust (Zone 22) atmospheres. For Zone 1 installations — where flammable atmosphere is present regularly — the Conductive version with electroconductive housing is required.

Which housing material should I select?

+

Chemical compatibility is the primary criterion, not price. PP covers the broadest range of industrial chemicals — acids, alkalis, water-based media — at the lowest cost. PVDF is the correct choice for halogenated solvents and strongly oxidising acids where PP would degrade. Aluminium suits non-aqueous, non-corrosive media such as hydrocarbons and oils. AISI 316 is selected where cleanability, FDA compliance or a metallic pump body is operationally required. If you are unsure about compatibility, contact us with the medium name and concentration before ordering.

What viscosity range can the JP-810 handle?

+

Validated limits vary by model. The smallest units handle up to 5,000–10,000 mPas; mid-range models extend to 15,000–20,000 mPas; the ¾"–1" models reach 25,000–35,000 mPas. Above approximately 10,000 mPas, flow rate is reduced and higher air pressure is needed to prime. Media that are semi-solid at ambient temperature — wax, palm oil, bitumen — typically need pre-heating to reach a pumpable viscosity before the pump is started. A drum heater upstream of the pump is the standard preparation step.

Do AODD pumps require lubricated air?

+

No. The JP-810 is designed for dry, non-lubricated compressed air. Adding oil to the air supply will contaminate the fluid path and degrade diaphragm and seat materials over time. A standard dry compressed air supply at up to 8 bar is sufficient. A water separator and inline filter at the air inlet is recommended practice — particularly in outdoor or high-humidity installations — to prevent moisture ingress into the air valve mechanism.

What is an air-operated double diaphragm pump?

+

An AODD pump uses compressed air — not electricity — to alternate pressure between two opposing fluid chambers, each sealed by a flexible diaphragm. As one diaphragm pushes fluid out through the outlet valve, the other draws fluid in through the inlet valve. The result is a continuous, pulsating flow with no rotating parts, no mechanical seal and no electrical source present in the fluid zone. This makes AODD pumps inherently safe in ATEX environments and tolerant of solids, high viscosity and abrasive media.