Barrel Hand Pump

Drum pumps, also known as barrel pumps' are a vital addition to the transportation, storage, and transferrence of fluids throughout all industries. These convenient pumps are designed to prevent spillage, avoid contamination, and reduce the time needed to move fluid from one place to another.

Cromwell stocks a range of high-quality drum pumps designed to meet industry standards and improve efficiency when working with and storing industrial liquids.

What are drum pumps?

A drum pump is a portable device that allows various fluids to be effectively emptied from tanks, barrels, drums, or other liquid storage containers. While some models are powered, most drum pumps and barrel pumps are hand operated. This makes them easy to set up and vastly increases portability, since there's no need for a power source.

Why a drum pump?

Most liquids used in manufacturing or engineering plants are stored and delivered in large barrels (usually 100litres to 300 litres). This makes tipping the barrel to empty the liquids incredibly inefficient - not to mention the risk of spillage, injury, or damage.

Drum pumps are designed to extract liquid from containers without the risk or waste associated with tipping or pouring. When used properly, they effectively eliminate waste, chemical leakage, toxic fumes, and cross-contamination. The barrel hand pumps themselves are notoriously easy to use, cost effective, and durable.

When are drum pumps used?

Drum pumps are used wherever there's large amounts of liquid to be emptied or transferred from one place to another. These industries include:
• Manufacturing plants

• Workshops

• Hospitals

• Factories

• Agricultural plants

Drum pump types

Drum pumps are available in a range of materials, with each material suited to different types of fluid...

• Aluminium - Commonly used with all types of oils and fuels.

• Stainless steel - Strong enough to be used with flammable liquids and in high-pressure applications.

• Polypropylene - Used for most types of acids and alkalis, along with detergents. Temperature resistant up to 50°C.

• PVDF - PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is typically used for higher temperature fluids up to 90°C. It's suitable for use with bleach, chromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid.

If you're looking for the ideal drum pump but aren't sure about the best one for your needs, feel free to ask our experts for specialised advice.

Considerations when choosing a drum pump

• Container size - Fluid containers come in a range of sizes, from small 20L barrels all the way up to huge 300L drums. The size of the container directly correlates with the size of the pump that should be used.

• Fluid type - From water-like liquids to thick pastes, the viscosity of a liquid also affects the pump. Some fluids must be mixed before they are pumped, so keep this in mind.

• Seal type - Certain liquids can change when they are exposed to air. In this case, mechanically sealed pumps must be used.

FAQs

How does a drum pump work?

Most hand-operated drum pumps are hydraulic, meaning they contain fluid that is manipulated by a lever. When the lever is pumped, it moves the hydraulic fluid to create pressure that 'sucks' the fluid from the pump inlet, forcing it through the pump to the output.