A new pump tube made of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) aims to reduce the risk of spills and injuries during the handling of hazardous substances such as sodium hypochlorite, acids, and alkalis.

Results from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the handling of aggressive chemicals not only causes frequent skin burns, eye injuries, and respiratory damage, but also fatalities. “Some of these accidents occur when manually refilling aggressive chemicals. This is why it is so important to provide workers with suitable technology for safe handling,” says Lutz Pumps North America MD Markus Seitenberg. “For this reason, we developed a new pump tube that enables the safe transfer of critical media from canisters and drums.” 

The pump tube is designed as a vertical immersion pump. With an immersion depth of 39”, it can be inserted directly into drums and canisters. An electrically or pneumatically operated motor can be attached to the top. The motor drives a radial impeller by means of a shaft, which guides the medium into a conveying line through centrifugal force. This enables the safe conveying of up to 95 ℓ/min without the risk of spillage. An optional dispensing nozzle and flow meter enable targeted dispensing.

The pump tube is made of CPVC, which makes it resistant to chemicals and ideal for transporting not only sodium hypochlorite, but also alkalis (including caustic soda and potash lye), precipitating and flocculating agents (including iron or aluminum salts), and cleaning and rinsing chemicals. The design does not use any seals on parts that come into contact with the medium, reducing the risk of leaks and further improving safety.

The company asserts that the CPVC model is more economical than polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) versions, without compromising performance for suitable media. "The CPVC drum pump represents our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable solutions that prioritize employee safety and operational efficiency," said Seitenberg. "By offering a cost-effective alternative to PVDF without sacrificing reliability, we're empowering industries to handle corrosive chemicals more securely and economically."