What Is a Drum Pump?
It is a type of portable pump used for emptying IBCs, carboys, drums, barrels, and tanks. Since many liquids that are used in processing and manufacturing plants get delivered in 100 or 200-litre drums, usually they are too heavy to tip to decant the liquid stored inside of them.
Why Use a Drum Pump?
They are designed to provide a safe and easy way to transfer practically any type of chemical from barrels and drums. There are many different tube lengths and models that are available to meet a wide range of customer needs.
Step 1: Determine What Your Application Requirements Are
It is very important to determine how you are going to use the pump before you can choose the right motor type, tube construction, pump series, and accessories.
- Required flow and head – the majority of drum pump applications are basic transfer. However, some need higher flow rates (for emptying larger tanks or IBCs) or higher head (pressure) capabilities (to pump fluids with higher viscosities or to transfer liquids to the second floor or top of a machine).
- Chemical type or name – this information is very important and necessary to ensure that the tube materials in the drum pump are compatible with the specific fluid that is being pumped. It is also very important to determine whether the fluid is a combustible liquid or flammable.
- The temperature of the fluid to be pumped – there are maximum temperature limits on drum pump tubes. The maximum temperature will depend on the tube length, construction, and series.
- Specific viscosity and gravity – various drum pumps have various capabilities when they are pumping fluids with a viscosity higher than 1 CP and gravity higher than 1.0. These capabilities are based on the motor that drives the pump and the pump design.
- Container size – the tube lengths of the drum pump change based on the container. For instance, a standard 45-gallon/200-litre drum uses a pump tube that is 100cm long. Tanks and IBCs need to have longer lengths. Smaller lengths are used by 15 and 30-gallon containers.
- Motor preference – determine if a specific motor style is preferred by the site: air, explosion-proof air, or electric. Check the required voltage for electric motors.
Step 2: Choose the Right Tube Material and FTI Pump Series
After you have determined what your application requirements are, you can choose the right FIT pump to do the job.
Select pump tube materials that are compatible – first choose your outer tube materials. There are outer tubes that are available in pure polypropylene/PVDF, CPVC, PDVF, 316 stainless steel, and polypropylene.
A chemical resistance guide can be used to choose a material for the outer tube that is resistant to whatever material will be pumped. Our helpful info page has chemical resistance guides available.
Note: All pump tubes contain other materials that will come into contact with the fluid that is pumped along with the material of the outer pump tube.
Step 3: Choose the Right FTI Motor
Use motor preference information to select a tech flier motor that fits the requirements the best. Not every motor can be used on every pump series.
If the product that is being pumped is combustible or flammable (or the location is hazardous), make sure to use our static protection kit with an air drive or electric motor on a tube made of stainless steel.
Step 4: Choose Any Accessories
- Flexible PVC hose
- Static protection kit – to transfer combustible or flammable liquids safely when used with explosion-proof or air electric motors and stainless steel tube pumps.
- Drum adapters – ensure the tube inside the drum has a tight fit. They are available in a range of different materials.
- Flow meters – allow the liquid being pumped to be accurately measured.
- Lubricator/filter assembly – ensures that air drive motors have a lubricated, dry supply of air
- Nozzles – allow liquid flow to be controlled
- Strainers – protect the pump against damage by foreign objects.
Learn more from Flux Pumps.