Most people think of long black hair, electric guitars, leather, and illicit substances when they hear the word “Rockstar”. In the pumping world, we’re talking about a much different image, however. Rather than a rap sheet tied with a wild lifestyle that risks a premature end, our Rockstar air-operated double-diaphragm pump boasts just the opposite.

We’ve really pushed the envelope in developing this highly specialized ultra reliable AODD pump, and it’s all thanks to our existing customers. Based on feedback from customers around the world our team put their heads together and built a pump capable of handling some of the toughest environments a pump could live in. When it comes to lifestyle, Rockstar gets into some wild situations, but unlike many rock stars in 1980’s metal bands, our Rockstar has a rap sheet to be proud of. In fact, in every situation Rockstar has been tried, its “guilty” verdict is a badge of honor rather than shame.

High Character

We encourage you to play judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to Rockstar, our heavy-duty metallic flap valve pump. Other pumps have been in difficult and challenging applications before and none have ever been as guilty of succeeding as Rockstar, especially in solids-handling applications. You’ll find that, unlike the often-negative character qualities associated with some of the human rock stars, this pumps character qualities are what make it shine.

• Stainless steel flap valve and seat to prevent abrasion when pumping solids-laden fluids
• Rotatable lifting handles for easy pump transport
• Anti-Clog feature to oppose the accumulation of packable dust and small solids
• Light weight polymer for worker safety and enhanced mobility
• Ergonomic Handles that can be positioned either horizontally or vertically
• Clean-Out Caps for quick, simple maintenance and inspection without complete pump disassembly
• Proven diaphragm design and wear pads for extended pump life in harsh conditions
• All Bolted Construction for long term, leak free performance
• Best-In-Class Maximum flows and efficiency
• Ability to self-prime and dead head effectively

Rockstar also features top suction / bottom discharge ports which allow solids to pass easily with the assistance of gravity, making it ideal in slurry applications. Rockstar also utilizes a thicker chamber wall to increase abrasion resistance on the pumps wetted side. In short, our Rockstar has all the clout without any of the social baggage.

Coal Mine Slurries? Guilty as Charged

The underground music scene was big in the 1980s for up-and-coming rock bands before they hit it big. Similarly, Rockstar thrives in an underground environment, and we mean that quite literally. Where the sun never makes an appearance is where Rockstar shines brightest.

Coal mines are a tough and demanding workplace. Credit to the men and women to do the job day in and day out. Coal is still a valuable fuel source around the world and many of the modern amenities we enjoy would not be functional without those hard-working men and women in the mining industry. That’s why it was so crucial for our team to get to work building a pump that would make their lives a little easier in the bowels of the earth.

The dewatering process, a biproduct of the drilling required for continued underground exploration to tap into existing coal reserves, is one of the toughest places any pump could sit. This must be pumped away from the face of the mine to ensure a clean and safe work environment for the people down there, as well as the efficacious extraction of the coal. Before Rockstar, that meant fresh AODD pumps right off the line would be sent to their doom, destined to last just a couple weeks at best before needing some real TLC or being discarded all together. Rockstar climbed on top of that stage and has been playing sweet melodious head bangers ever since.

The slurries encountered in mine dewatering can include coal dust and debris of various sizes, excessive mineral concentrations, acidic water (low PH), among other challenging substances and slurry mixtures. Rockstar meets those trials head on with chemical and abrasion resistant materials of construction as well as metal flap valves capable of handling solids up to 1.8” (46mm) in diameter. It’s portable, great for tight spaces often found in mine shafts. It’s far simpler to service and repair if the need arises. It’s been tested in these harsh environments and far exceeds the standards set by other pumps in dewatering applications. In short, can it handle what mine dewatering will throw at it? Guilty as charged.

Other Guilty Pleas?

Mine dewatering is a great place to begin building a case, not against, but rather in favor of Rockstar because of the wide range of challenges and obstacles present in that environment. Many of the solutions our engineering team gave Rockstar translate directly to other applications where specific criteria must be met. A couple examples include meat and poultry processing and chemical sump applications.

Meat and Poultry Processing:

• Bleeding: The self-priming and solids-handling characteristics of Rockstar make it a perfect fit in meat and poultry processing plants. One ugly fact about these facilities is the need to handle and transport fluids containing blood, beaks, heads, and other solid matter without worrying about sheer damage or entrained air in the fluids themselves. Rockstar pleads guilty.
• Rinsing, Scalding, and Hair/Feather Removal: Other fluids can contain feathers, wool, hair, hooves, feet, toenails, and other solids that enter during the process of cleaning. A pump in this environment must be capable of passing those solids uninhibited. Rockstar pleads guilty.
• Evisceration: Just about any type of animal waste product can enter fluid during this step in the process. Many are potentially sticky or abrasive solids that flow quite easily through Rockstar that would present major challenges for standard AODD pumps. In this, Rockstar pleads guilty yet again.

• CIP and COP Chemical Cleaning and Sanitation Systems:At the end of a day of processing, cleaning the facility presents its own unique application. Often requiring chemicals for sterilization that must be handled without the risk of leaks. Rockstar pleads guilty.

Chemical Sumps

• Debris Contaminated Fluids: Debris like leaves, sticks, dirt, trash, needles, ear plugs, and other workplace discards often find their way into sumps inside and outside manufacturing facilities. Other pumps would clog or malfunction when encountering these items but again, Rockstar pleads guilty.
• Chemically Contaminated Fluids: Offered in a range of materials or construction, stray chemicals are no match for the versatility that Rockstar can offer. Another guilty plea.
• Variable Fluid Depths: Designed with two-inch construction and sporting best in class maximum flow rate (up to 170 gpm (644 lpm) and super-efficient air consumption, Rockstar can easily handle the variable depths of sumps at any given time. Yet another guilty plea.

Find the Right Solution for Your Application

Rockstar presents as a great choice for an operation needing a robust, lightweight, versatile solution capable of handling solids-laden fluids and slurries with the bonus of a tremendous reduction in down time due to the engineering behind the pump that makes it quick and easy to service. The removable end cap allows quick and easy access to the flap valve assembly means repairs can be done in mere minutes.

There has never been a better time to improve the quality of the heavy-duty flap valve AODD pumps in your operation and Rockstar fits the bill. To learn more, get in touch with the Versamatic team or your local AODD pump distributor today.