Fluid Handling

Fluid handling Products

In 1996, Kirk Martin working with Richard Cabral, both with Medusa Associates, and Dan Kaschalk of KAS Machine Products, developed the first positive displacement diaphragm pump that could reliably dispense fuming nitric acid. These first generation pumps were manufactured for use in the B&G Enterprises Model 300 nitric acid decapsulator. Few of these first generation pumps were built but several survived over 7 years of hard service dispensing one of the most corrosive acids known. In 1998, the same group developed a second generation pump that combined 3 source selection valves and the pump components into a single, monolithic, pump body. This pump was incorporated into the B&G International (Nisene Technology Group) Model 250F dual acid decapsulator and resulted in the acquisition of Medusa Associated by Nisene Technology Group. While at Nisene, Kirk Martin developed a third generation dispensing pump that combined multiple sources with multiple outlet paths and multiple dispense volumes resulting in the awarding of US Patent 6,350,110. Hundreds of these pumps were made for use in the then Model 350 dual acid decapsulator and for general chemical dispensing by other equipment manufacturers.

In 2002, Kirk Martin left Nisene starting a small consulting business. Later that year, he started work on a fourth generation dispensing pump design. This generation was much faster, stronger, and more reliable than all of the previous generations and allowed for greater flexibility in combining multiple flow paths and even multiple pumps into a single, monolithic, body. Working with Cabral and Kaschalk, the design was perfected and extensively tested both for operational parameters and lifetime.

Standard single path metering pumps

The RKD Engineering Model 230 series metering pumps are precision, positive displacement pumps designed for dispensing corrosive or high purity liquids. The units are constructed with all PTFE wetted parts with all mechanical components made of corrosion resistant polymers. All internal hardware used in its construction is made of stainless steel. The pump mechanism is enclosed with the electronic and electromechanical components in an air tight all plastic housing. The pumps are pneumatically operated to allow for full isolation of the flow path. The pumps deliver discrete volumes of fluid with the rate of dispense determined by an analog control signal.

Custom Capabilities

Because of the scalability of the RKD Engineering’s basic pump design and the versatility of the diaphragm design, it is possible to integrate a large number of fluid flow control functions into a single monolithic assembly. Several different sizes of pump and valve diaphragms are available along with a bellows and a paddle wheel flow meter. Valves can be included that are normal closed or three way. The only limit to the complexity is the size of the monolithic body and length of internal passages.