Almatec has announced that its E-Series line of Plastic Air-Operated Diaphragm (AOD) Pumps have the reliability and operational efficiencies mandated for use in the manufacture of solar cells.

The manufacture of solar cells is a precise, exacting and harsh process that can tolerate no inefficiencies or errors in production. Raw silicon is cut into “wafers” that are cleaned and polished with resulting hard, sharp waste silicon pieces that must be disposed of. Additionally, the liquids used to polish the wafers are also abrasive and have to be supplied to, circulated within and drained away during the manufacturing process. After the draining process, these abrasives are usually purified, filtered and re-used.

Almatec E-Series pumps have the capability to handle these demanding operations because they feature solid-block construction that increases their strength and life-cycle while eliminating many maintenance concerns. E-Series pump housings are constructed in either polyethylene (PE) or PTFE, giving them resistance to abrasion while also offering high chemical compatibility. Diaphragms and ball valves are available in EPDM or PTFE/EPDM with cylinders of PTFE.

E-Series pumps also feature the patented PERSWING P maintenance-free air-control system, which allows for greater flexibility in solar-cell applications. The pumps are self-priming and provide gentle displacement of fluids. Their compact, solid design makes them easy to install and provide unattended operation with long service life.

Picture: Almatec