Overview
Selecting the right pump is essential when handling corrosive and acidic fluids to ensure safety, efficiency, and long-term performance. Our application engineers often recommend magnetic drive pumps for highly acidic fluids, as they provide excellent chemical transfer capabilities and withstand aggressive environments. As a result, operations using these pumps benefit from increased reliability and productivity. For this client, we proposed replacing their old pump with an FTI magnetic drive pump to meet their chemical transfer requirements.
The Problem
The client needed a replacement for an existing magnetic drive pump used to transfer sulfuric acid at a concentration of 98.5% at ambient temperature. Sulfuric acid is highly hazardous and corrosive, posing serious risks to both equipment and personnel. It can cause severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes and lead to irreversible damage if not handled with extreme caution.
Additionally, the client required expansion joints to integrate the pump into their 4-inch pipeline, which we successfully supplied.
The Solution
We supplied a Finish Thompson UC326 magnetic drive pump coupled with a mining spec motor to replace the client's old pump. This custom pump set operates with less power than their previous units, offering the client a more efficient and reliable solution for their acid-handling application.
Project Highlight
Magnetic drive pumps are an excellent choice for transferring chemicals and acids, providing reliable leak prevention, low maintenance requirements, and exceptional resistance to corrosive, toxic, and flammable liquids.
For this project, we recommended the FTI UC magnetic drive centrifugal pumps, as they are specifically designed for handling highly corrosive chemicals, including sulfuric acid at concentrations up to 98% and a specific gravity exceeding 1.8. These pumps feature a robust ductile iron construction with an ETFE lining for superior corrosion resistance in demanding chemical applications. Additionally, they are equipped with carbon bushings that provide dry-run protection, allowing the pumps to operate without damage even if they run dry for several hours.
The FTI UC pumps use neodymium magnets, the most powerful type available, to deliver direct-drive performance in a magnetic drive system. Thanks to their completely encapsulated magnets and a vapour barrier between the wet end and motor adapter, these components are protected from corrosive vapours commonly found in harsh environments.
Some key benefits the client will gain from their new FTI magnetic drive pump include:
1. Leak-Proof Design
The magnetic coupling eliminates the need for a traditional mechanical seal, effectively preventing potential leaks of hazardous sulfuric acid. By eliminating leaks, magnetic drive pumps significantly improve operator safety when handling sulfuric acid.
2. Corrosion Resistance
The pump components are constructed from highly corrosion-resistant materials, ensuring durability in demanding chemical applications. Additionally, these components are field-replaceable, making maintenance and servicing more convenient.
3. Versatile Handling of Acid Concentrations
FTI UC pumps are designed to handle various concentrations and temperatures of sulfuric acid, providing the client with a versatile and reliable solution for different acid handling requirements.
By coupling the FTI UC pump with a mine-spec WEG motor, the solution provides exceptional performance, reliability, and durability in the client’s challenging environment and demanding industrial setting. The W22 Mine Spec motor features IE3 Premium Efficiency and IE4 Super Premium Efficiency ratings, providing significant energy savings and reduced operational costs while ensuring compliance with global energy regulations.
