Versatile Pump Solutions For Handling Challenging Fluids

Key considerations for selecting pump solutions to ensure safe and efficient operations

Selecting the right pump solution for corrosive, hazardous, and otherwise challenging fluids is a critical decision for businesses in industries ranging from chemical manufacturing to water treatment. This guide explores three key factors to consider when choosing a quality pump solution: (1) reliability of supply chain, (2) versatility and applicability, and (3) environmental and safety benefits. These considerations ensure that hazardous and difficult to transport liquids stay contained and operations can continue to run smoothly, safely, and efficiently with zero emissions.

1. Reliable Supply Chain

One of the most significant factors in selecting a pump provider is the reliability of its supply chain. The availability of pumps and parts, particularly in times of global disruptions, is crucial. A company with a well-established worldwide distribution network and domestic manufacturing capabilities can mitigate supply chain challenges, reducing lead times for new orders and parts and maximizing uptime for businesses.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries faced unprecedented delays in acquiring essential equipment, whereas companies with a robust supply chain structure could maintain production and delivery schedules, often turning out products two to three times faster than competitors. This reliability not only ensures continuous operation, but also provides peace of mind to customers who cannot afford downtime.

Pump manufacturer Finish Thompson, with its extensive global distribution network and factory headquartered in Erie, PA, exemplifies a company with a strong supply chain. Our products are designed, engineered, manufactured, and assembled in-house, ensuring high-quality standards and quick turnaround times. This level of control over the production process is critical for industries requiring immediate and reliable access to pump solutions.

2. Versatility and Wide-Ranging Applicability

Pumps must be versatile enough to handle various liquids and operate in diverse settings. The ability to handle different fluids, from corrosive chemicals to clean water, and to operate in various environments is a hallmark of a reliable pump. Companies should seek pump solutions that offer versatility, as this flexibility can significantly impact operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

For example, pumps that can manage everything from deionized (DI) and reverse osmosis (RO) water to brine and chemicals are invaluable in industries with diverse fluid transfer needs. This versatility should extend to the materials the pump is constructed from as well, which should include options like non-metallic materials or stainless steel to handle corrosive fluids effectively.

Finish Thompson’s range of products, including centrifugal pumps, self-priming pumps, drum pumps, and air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps, showcases this versatility. These pumps can be powered by electricity, air, or engines, providing flexibility in operation, regardless of the setting. Finish Thompson constructs its pumps from materials like polypropylene, PVDF, ETFE and stainless steel, which allows them to handle a variety of fluids, including those that are highly corrosive.

3. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Benefits

In today’s industrial landscape, ESG considerations are increasingly important. Pumps used in handling hazardous substances must be effective and minimize environmental impact while ensuring operator safety. Sealless pump technology is a key advancement in this area, offering significant benefits over pumps with mechanical seals.

Traditional pumps with mechanical seals are prone to leaks, especially when handling abrasive or corrosive fluids. These leaks can lead to environmental contamination and pose serious safety risks to operators. In contrast, sealless pumps, such as those offered by Finish Thompson, eliminate the need for mechanical seals, significantly reducing the risk of leaks. Plus, the use of mag-drive technology, which employs powerful, neodymium magnets to drive the impeller, ensures a fully enclosed system. This zero-emissions design feature prevents fluid leakage, making the pumps ideal for hazardous and corrosive applications.

Moreover, sealless pumps also contribute to improved environmental safety by eliminating potential points of leakage. This is particularly crucial when handling harmful substances, as any leak can result in costly clean-up efforts and environmental damage. For example, when a national food and beverage company had concerns with its corrosive fluid transfer process, they reached out to Finish Thompson for a solution to prevent incidents. Finish Thompson can transfer chemicals or fluids safely and directly from any originating container, offering adaptable solutions in time of environmental need.

Pump Solutions from Finish Thompson: A Product Overview

DB Series: The DB Series features end suction, non-metallic, mag-drive pumps made from molded polypropylene or PVDF. With the non-metallic wetted components and pure, unfilled polypropylene or PVDF magnet encapsulation, these pumps are particularly suited for handling corrosive fluids. The mag-drive design ensures there are no mechanical seals, preventing leaks and ensuring safe operation in chemical processing and transfer applications.

SP Series: The SP Series is a self-priming, non-metallic, mag-drive pump also constructed from polypropylene or PVDF. These pumps excel in situations where fluid needs to be lifted from sumps, transferred out of the tops of tanks, or top unloaded from rail cars. Given the aggressive nature of the chemicals being transferred, the SP pumps are also constructed with pure unfilled polypropylene or PVDF magnet encapsulation. The self-priming capability means the pump does not need to be flooded to operate, making it ideal for diverse applications where fluid levels are below the pump or where air needs to be evacuated from the suction piping.

ULTRAChem (UC) Series: The ULTRAChem Series includes ANSI-dimensional, mag-drive pumps with ductile iron construction and non-metallic wetted components molded in ETFE. The sealless design in an ANSI-dimensional pump allows the flexibility to replace sealed ANSI pumps where aggressive chemicals are a concern, without piping modifications. The UC Series leads the industry in design with pure, unfilled ETFE components, making it a reliable choice for chemical manufacturing, or any industry that requires transferring highly corrosive fluids.

Drum or Container Pumps: Designed for use with standard portable containers, including 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon IBCs, and a variety of other sizes. These pumps are constructed from polypropylene, PVDF, or stainless steel. Their sealless design and robust construction make them ideal for safely transferring chemicals from containers without risk of leakage. FTI also offers container pumps for fluids with higher viscosities. With the variety of materials and pump sizes, FTI drum pumps allow the user many choices to transfer chemicals easily, directly from portable containers.

FTI Air AODD Pumps: Finish Thompson's FTI Air line of AODD pumps are constructed from various materials, including polypropylene, PVDF, stainless steel, and aluminum. These self-priming pumps are portable and versatile, capable of handling fluids with varying viscosities. AODD pumps are particularly useful in situations where electrical infrastructure is limited, as they can operate using compressed air.

Summary: Key Considerations for Choosing a Pump Provider

When selecting a pump provider, consider the company's ability to maintain a reliable supply chain, offer versatile products, and address ESG concerns. Make certain the products are designed to handle challenging fluids effectively, ensuring operational reliability and safety. Whether you are dealing with corrosive chemicals or need robust pump solutions, choose a provider that delivers products meeting the highest standards of quality construction, performance, and safety.

Will Weathers is the National Accounts Manager for Finish Thompson Inc., a global pump manufacturer headquartered in Erie, PA. Will has been with Finish Thompson since June 2011, starting as their Southeast Regional Manager. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Will lives in North Carolina.