Chemical drum pumps are engineered to handle various corrosive chemicals, dangerous viscous products and flammable liquids from intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and 55-gallon drums. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the value added by chemical industry in the U.S. is worth approximately $250 million. In terms of international output, the U.S. contributes $770 billion and is the largest producer of chemical products in the world. Transferring these dangerous and corrosive chemicals from a 55-gallon drum is made much easier using chemical drum pumps.
Common Pumping Applications:
Many of the products transferred around the world using industrial drum pumps are dangerous and need to be handled with extreme caution.
·Sulfuric Acid — Sulfuric acid can cause chemical burns, dehydration, and permanent blindness.
This chemical can corrode skin, stone, metals, and other surfaces.
·Hydrochloric Acid — Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to mucous membranes, skin, and the eyes.
Coming in direct contact and inhalation with this chemical can result in excessive coughing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, hoarseness, inflammation, and ulceration of the respiratory tract.
·Nitric Acid — Nitric acid is highly corrosive to mucous membranes, skin, and the eyes as well. Mild contact with this chemical can cause minor irritation on the skin and hardening of the epidermis. Direct contact with concentrated nitric acid can stain the skin a yellow color and permanent damage resulting from deep burns. Inhalation of this corrosive chemical can be fatal in humans.
·Acetic Acid — Although diluted acetic acid is basically harmless, ingesting stronger solutions – more than 25% — is dangerous to both human and animal life. This liquid chemical is highly corrosive to the eyes and skin.
·Aqueous Ammonia — An explosive chemical compound that can harm the environment if improperly released from an industrial plant. Because this chemical is corrosive, contact to the mouth, eyes, skin, digestive tract and respiratory tract can all cause damage including blindness, lung disease, serious burns, or even death.
Because of all these dangerous chemicals — and many more corrosive and non-corrosive materials — being transferred by chemical drum pumps, the personal safety element for each operation is extremely important. All equipment is to be thoroughly cleaned after each operation and all operators must follow proper safety precautions and regulations.
Contact Standard Pump, Inc. for any questions regarding industrial applications today.
