A chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pump tube, designed to improve safety and operational efficiency during the transfer of aggressive chemicals used across industrial processes, has been introduced by German industrial pump manufacturer Lutz Pumps.

The company states that handling hazardous substances such as sodium hypochlorite, acids and alkalis continues to pose risks to workers, especially when chemicals are transferred manually from canisters or drums.

Lutz Pumps president and GM Markus Seitenberg says safer transfer technologies are required to reduce workplace incidents linked to manual refilling practices.

The company says that data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics shows that exposure to harmful substances and environments resulted in 820 workplace fatalities in the US in 2023, representing about 15% of the total 5 283 fatal occupational accidents recorded that year.

Seitenberg notes some of these incidents occur during the manual transfer of aggressive chemicals, stressing the need for controlled conveying systems.

The newly introduced pump tube is configured as a vertical immersion pump with an immersion depth of 99.06 cm, allowing direct insertion into drums and canisters. An electric or pneumatically-operated motor can be mounted on the unit, driving a radial impeller through a shaft to move liquids into a conveying line through centrifugal force.

“The system enables transfer rates of up to 95 ℓ/min, while aiming to minimise the risk of spills during chemical handling. Optional dispensing nozzles and flow meters support controlled dosing during transfer operations,” Lutz Pumps reports.

As it is manufactured from CPVC, the pump tube is resistant to aggressive media, precipitating and flocculating agents, as well as cleaning and rinsing chemicals commonly used in industrial applications. The design eliminates seals on components in contact with the medium, reducing potential leak points.

Lutz Pumps concludes that, compared with traditional polyvinylidene fluoride pump tubes, the CPVC model provides a more cost-effective alternative, as it costs about 20% to 30% less, based on market comparisons, while maintaining performance for suitable media.