Pumps for alkali
Pumps for alkali
The main field of application of alkaline pumps is the chemical industry. Such equipment is distinguished by its high resistance to aggressive environments. Most units have explosion-proof design.
When selecting equipment, it is necessary to take into account that alkalis not only aggressively affect metals, but are also able to crystallize quickly. For this reason, alkaline pumps need regular flushing after operation.
Titanium, stainless steel, hastelloy alloys are used for the production of pumps used in pumping alkalis. For the manufacture of seals, fluoro rubber resistant to the aggressive effects of alkalis is used, as well as EPDM, FFKM resistant to high temperatures.
Types of alkaline pumps
Various types of pumps are used to work with alkalis. One of the most popular options is centrifugal. They pump the product due to a rapidly rotating impeller with blades. The impeller is put on the shaft, which is connected to a powerful electric motor. To prevent alkali from penetrating from the working chamber to the drive, a reliable shaft seal is used. In an aggressive environment, it wears out faster than usual. Therefore, the equipment periodically needs maintenance with stopping and disassembling the pump.
When working with alkali, it is advisable to use vertical centrifugal pumps (if conditions allow it). At the same time, they are installed so that the cylindrical body is immersed in a container with a substance, and the drive remains above it. The product leaves the working chamber through a separate outlet pipe. Accordingly, in such conditions, leakage towards the electric drive is excluded, and seals, in principle, are not needed, in an emergency situation, the liquid medium simply flows out of the device back into the container.
Diaphragm air pumps are also used for pumping alkali. They belong to volumetric devices. The main working body here is an elastic membrane. Its reciprocating movements alternately reduce and increase the volume of the sealed chamber. This forms zones of increased and decreased pressure inside the housing, and the substance is absorbed and pumped. When working with such a pump with alkali, it is necessary to be especially responsible for the timely replacement of the diaphragm. Otherwise, in case of wear, a rupture of the membrane may occur, and the aggressive liquid being pumped first enters the air chamber, and then into the pneumatic distribution mechanism. This will disable the equipment and create an emergency situation.
