Gear Pumps vs. Piston Pumps

Which is More Accurate?

Both gear pump and piston pump technology are used in spray foam and polyurea spray equipment. Which of these is the ideal pump technology to handle the challenging spray parameters and conditions inherent in spraying foam and polyurea? To understand the answer to that question, it helps to first understand the how each of these pumps work.
 

How Gear Pumps Work

Gear pump

A gear pump is a type of positive displacement pump. Gear pumps move fluid repeatedly, enclosing a fixed volume using interlocking gears and transferring the fluid mechanically using a cyclic pumping action. Gear pumps are nothing new and have been around for hundreds of years.
 

How Piston Pumps Work

Piston pump

Piston pumps are positive-displacement pumps that use a piston and plunger to displace and pressurize fluids. Either single or double-acting, piston pumps operate by using the force of the pumping mechanism to expand and contract an internal movable volume of liquid.
 

Video: Gear vs. Piston Pumps

 

 

Side by Side Comparison

When doing a side by side comparison of gear pumps versus piston pumps, it’s easy to see which one is more accurate and has everything you need for successfully applying spray foam and polyurea:

Qualities of a Good PumpGear PumpPiston Pump
Accurate, repeatable dispensing with every stroke or cycle
Independently maintains ratio in plural component applications
Handles a large variability of ambient conditions
Handles a wide range of material viscosities
Handles varying triggering patterns and speeds
Handles the effects of isocyantes (gumming, crystalizing, hardening)
Holds static pressure when not triggering
Provides long-term reliability and minimal downtime for the user
Easy to service at a reasonable cost 
   

The Downfall of Gear Pumps

Although gear pumps may be capable of dispensing materials, when selecting a pump for two-component isocyanate, users should understand there are risks, costs, and other potential issues inherent to gear pumps. The biggest risk is built on the assumption that the flow meters used in gear pump systems are accurate, and will remain accurate.

Leakage icon

1. Leakage

Fluid leakage results from the imperfect fit between components in a gear pump assembly. Regardless of how well the two components conform to one another, gaps will exist, and fluids will move through them. Clearances at the gears and across the faces of gears are the largest contributors to internal leakage. Fluid leakage increases as the internal parts wear through usage.

Stall pressure icon

2. Stall Pressure

Due to internal fluid leakage, stall pressure cannot be maintained and ratio cannot be accounted for without being dependent on flow meters.

Ratio imbalance icon

3. Ratio Imbalance

Being unable to maintain stall pressure leads to ratio overshoots and undershoots as the flow is corrected to compensate for fluid leakage.

Recalibration icon

4. Recalibration

Depending upon flow meters will require field calibration of the meters to maintain accuracy. Calibration is necessary to account for changes in materials, viscosities, flow rates, ambient conditions, and equipment wear due to usage. If flow meters are not recalibrated, the system may not know the true ratio.

False Ratio icon

5. False Ratio

If the flow meters are not accurate, the ratio will not be accurate. However, the system will still report and display perfect accuracy and that the material is on-ratio, even if spraying off-ratio product.

 

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More Information

Gear Pumps vs. Piston Pumps - Overview

Types of Pumps for Foam & Polyurea

Pump Selection: Gear Pump or Piston Pump

Graco Piston Pumps for Foam & Polyurea

Ratio Assurance Whitepaper

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