What Are Drum Pumps?
Drum pumps are a type of pump that is designed to pump liquid in or out of a drum. Pumps are capable of pumping many types of liquid, including water. The weight of water is approximately 8.3 pounds per gallon, but there are other types of liquid that can weigh more based on how dense they are. Because of this, it usually isn’t safe to empty a drum by tipping it. If a drum pump or IBC mixer is functioning properly, it’s able to draw liquid in and out of a container without spilling it.
You’ll see people using drum pumps in a wide range of plants, including manufacturing, processing, and chemical plants. If a plant stores pasty products or liquids in drums, a product like this can come in handy. It’s important for companies to have an efficient way to pump small amounts of liquid out of containers.
You’ll find that there are a wide range of liquids that need to be transported, transferred, handled, and processed. Because of this, drum pumps are capable of handling many types of liquids. You’ll find drum pumps used in many industries, including:
- Chemical processing plants
- Manufacturing plants
- Food processing plants
- Pharmaceutical plants
Auto shops
You’ll find a wide variety of drum pumps, including manual, electric, and pneumatically operated pumps. Some pumps are hard-wired to containers, while other pumps can be changed out as needed. While this equipment is portable, it can also be hard-piped into systems so that it can efficiently transfer liquids. Both plastic and metallic pipes are available, which means you can avoid issues with corrosion if you’re working with liquids that are corrosive.
How Do Electrically Operated Pumps Function?
Drum pumps that operate electrically are secured into a drum’s top opening via a narrow tube. Inside the tube, you’ll find a vertical shaft. Inside the drum pump, you’ll find a small motor that is connected to a shaft. The motor is typically operated by either a DC or AC electric motor. A switch is used to turn the drum pump on. The pumping mechanism of the drum begins at the base of the tube. This is where the liquid is sucked up. At the base of the tube, you’ll find either a rotor or a small pump impeller. While electric pumps are similar to manual pumps in many ways, they run on electric power. These types of tumps are well suited to jobs where high volumes of liquid are transferred. You can find wired and battery-operated pumps. You can find a range of voltages. Models with higher voltage tend to be on the thicker side. If you need to drain a large volume of liquid from a drum, an electric drum is the best option.
How Do Manually Operated Pumps Function?
Typically, manually operated pumps are operated by hand. They may use a piston pump or a crank. These pumps are well-suited to situations where electric power isn’t available. They are also a good choice for remote pumping. These pumps can be made from many types of materials, including PVC, super duplex stainless steel, plastic, and aluminum metals.
In some environments, you’ll find that pneumatically operated pumps are the best option. They’re a great choice for humid environments or for environments that are dirty or dusty. These pumps won’t easily be damaged in the same way an electric pump would. If you’re concerned that an electric pump will be damaged in a work environment, a pump like this is a great choice.
