By Grainger Editorial Staff 8/15/19
While a variety of industrial plants include liquid management, this is no easy task. Simply holding a hefty amount of a liquid, (i.e., anything above 50 pounds) can be a burden for drums and barrels. Although these containers are strong and spacious enough to store vast amounts of fluids, using or extracting fluids from the barrels is a nearly impossible job. Even a small 55-gallon drum weighs over 450 pounds. Something that heavy cannot be tipped easily to remove the liquid it stores. A drum pump is the solution to this problem.
A drum pump is an instrument placed on the upper opening of a drum or barrel, used to remove and transfer the liquid inside. This eliminates the need to pivot or tip a weighty drum to remove the liquid. There are two major types of drum pumps, and their sub types are available in different tube lengths, materials and models.
Since there are many types of liquids that need to be processed, transferred, transported and handled, drum pumps are not limited to hydro-based industries. In fact, since chemicals, oils and other liquids are heavier and denser than water, these industries are even more reliant on the use of this tool.
For instance, the pharmaceutical industry has grown to a domestic value of $770 billion thanks to drum pumps. These are a few other common industries and spaces that utilize drum pumps:
There are two major types of drum pumps: hand-operated drum pumps and electric-operated drum pumps. These types differ in their makeup, use and models.
Hand-operated drum pumps, as their name suggests, are powered by hand, instead of a motor. They are ideal for remote pumping applications and in instances where there’s little to no power available. Here are some more characteristics of this instrument:
Electric-operated drum pumps run on electricity to power the pumping. They resemble the hand pump but use electric power. They are great to use for tasks that involve a higher volume transfer. Here are some more characteristics of this instrument:
Hand-Operated Drum Pumps | Electric Operated Drum Pumps | |
---|---|---|
Fluid Types |
Oils, diesel, gasoline, anti-freeze, kerosene, soap solutions |
Additives, dyes, chemicals that need blending, exhaust fluid |
Volume Types |
Low-Medium |
High |
Use Intervals |
Intermittent drainage of drums |
Regular drainage of drums |
Working Mechanisms |
Must be twisted at the nozzle |
Can be plugged in or run on a battery |
Drum pumps are both a practical and useful option for emptying out and transferring the liquids in drums. In addition, the foremost benefit is the vast subtleties both hand-operated and electric operated-drum pumps have. No two are alike, whether it is in the length of the tube, voltage or the wetting material. This allows you to truly customize your fluid handling operation. It also allows the drum pump to match your industry and environment to the utmost degree.
Other benefits of drum pumps include portability, the ability to be hard-piped into the system and that they are available in metallurgic and non-metallic materials to minimize corrosion when the pump is in use with corrosive liquids.
http://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/pumps/how-to-select-a-drum-pump
http://www.pumpscout.com/all-pump-applications/drum-pumps-apid63.html
The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.