{"id":15779,"date":"2026-09-14T11:41:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T14:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/?p=15779"},"modified":"2026-09-14T13:25:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T16:25:23","slug":"pumps-chemical-product-transfer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/blog-en\/pumps-chemical-product-transfer\/","title":{"rendered":"Pumps for Chemical Product Transfer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Transfer Operation Within the Plant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The flow of a facility supporting the transfer of chemical products is shorter than that of a process plant, but it is no less demanding. It almost always follows the same sequence: arrival of a tank truck, unloading into the storage tank, transfer between tanks or to the process area, and finally loading back into the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pumps<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of these stages imposes a different hydraulic condition on the equipment. During unloading, the liquid is often below the pump shaft level, or the suction line may drain between operations, which requires priming capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During transfer between tanks, the pump usually operates under flooded suction in a more stable condition, but it must overcome the system head and operate continuously. During loading, the main requirement is high flow within a short period of time, because the vehicle\u2019s dwell time at the loading platform represents a direct operating cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superimposed on this hydraulic arrangement is the variable that truly distinguishes chemical transportation from other applications: the product itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acids, solvents, monomers, liquefied gases, ammonia, sulfur, urea, and organic products each require a different metallurgical and sealing solution. A pump that is perfectly suitable for handling process water may be completely unsuitable for the same service involving concentrated acid or a low-viscosity flammable solvent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Defines the Right Pump<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In practice, selecting a transfer pump for a plant or terminal is based on five key questions. They may seem obvious, but it is the combination of the answers, rather than any single answer, that determines the appropriate equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
ANSI\/ASME Centrifugal Pump \u2013 UND\/III | Self-Priming Centrifugal Pump \u2013 UND\/III-AE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. What is the product, and which material is it compatible with?<\/strong>

    Chemical compatibility is the first and most stringent selection criterion. OMEL UND process pumps are available in a wide range of materials, including ductile cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steels 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 317, and 420, as well as special alloys such as Duplex CD4MCu, Durimet 20 CN7M, Hastelloy B, Hastelloy C, among others.

    The choice of alloy is not merely a finishing detail: it is what determines the service life of the casing and impeller when exposed to the chemical being handled.

    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. What is the suction condition?<\/strong><\/strong>

    If the pump is installed above the liquid level, or if the suction line loses its prime between batches, a conventional pump simply will not start.

    This is the classic case in tank-truck unloading and collection sumps, and it is what distinguishes a conventional process pump from a self-priming pump.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Qual \u00e9 o risco associado ao vazamento?<\/strong>

    Here is a point that often surprises those who have never measured it: properly adjusted packing leaks from 30 to 60 drops per minute, and that is how it is designed to operate, because it requires this liquid film for lubrication and cooling.

    A suitable single mechanical seal reduces this value to up to 2 drops per minute. A magnetic drive, because there is no shaft passage through the casing, operates with complete leak-tightness.

    When the product is toxic, flammable, or has an aggressive odor, the difference between 30 drops per minute and zero is no longer just a maintenance detail\u2014it becomes a design requirement.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. What are the operating pressure and temperature?<\/strong><\/strong>

    Products heated to maintain pumpable viscosity, cryogenic products, and high-pressure loading lines restrict the applicable pump family and, above all, the type of sealing system and flange rating.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Does the pump follow a recognized dimensional standard?<\/strong><\/strong>

    This is the most overlooked criterion and the one that has the greatest impact on life-cycle cost. A pump built according to a standardized dimensional specification can be replaced by another pump of the same standard without modifying the baseplate, piping, or alignment. This is the case with standardized ANSI\/ASME pumps, such as the OMEL UND II pump.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Without standardization, every replacement becomes a small retrofit project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Descarga de caminh\u00e3o-tanque: bombas autoescorvantes UND\/III-AE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    From a hydraulic standpoint, unloading a tank truck is one of the most demanding services in the plant. The pump is installed at a fixed level, the product level gradually drops inside the truck tank, the suction line contains air at the beginning of each operation, and this cycle is repeated several times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A conventional process pump would require a foot valve, manual filling of the suction line, and an operator dedicated to dealing with loss of prime, introducing exactly the kind of manual intervention that should be avoided in an area handling hazardous products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    OMEL UND\/III-AE self-priming process pumps were designed for this type of service. The casing is manufactured as a single piece with an integrated priming chamber, eliminating the need for a separate chamber, air separator, or auxiliary valves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The pump operates with an effective suction lift of up to 6 [m] and maintains positive liquid retention inside the casing under siphon conditions, so the chamber remains filled at the end of each cycle and the pump is ready for the next operation without requiring manual priming. The design also provides automatic vapor purging, an important feature when handling volatile products. A non-self-priming pump, besides requiring priming at the start of the pumping operation, may also run dry at the end of the pumping cycle due to an operator oversight, potentially damaging the mechanical seal and other pump components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Self-Priming Centrifugal Pump \u2013 UND\/III-AE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Transfer Between Tanks and Process Lines: UND\/III<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once unloading is complete, the product begins circulating within the facility: from the storage tank to another tank, to the process area, or to the loading line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In general, this is a flooded-suction, continuous or semi-continuous service in which the main requirement shifts from priming capability to reliability and long-term chemical resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    OMEL UND\/III process pumps fully comply with ANSI\/ASME B73.1, the dimensional standard for horizontal centrifugal pumps used in chemical process applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In practice, this means that mounting dimensions, nozzles, and allowable flange loads follow an international standard, allowing the pump to be replaced by another unit built to the same standard without modifying the existing installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The operating range is broad: capacities up to 1,700 [m\u00b3\/h], heads up to 210 [m], and temperatures from -100 [\u00b0C] to 260 [\u00b0C], with special constructions available for temperatures up to 350 [\u00b0C].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From a sealing standpoint, one of the key strengths of this line is the flexibility of the seal chamber. Available configurations include packing, which can be converted to a mechanical seal in the field without additional machining, as well as SUPERBOX and CONEBOX chambers, which accommodate single seals, double seals, and cartridge seals according to the requirements of the product being handled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the chemical industry, this pump is traditionally used for transferring a wide range of products, whether corrosive or non-corrosive, for loading and unloading acids, and for handling organic products, sulfur, urea, ammonia, liquefied gases, solvents, monomers, and polymers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    ANSI\/ASME Centrifugal Pump – UND\/III<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Compact Installations and Line Retrofits: UND\/II-IL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Not every plant has the space, civil foundation, or available shutdown time required to install a complete horizontal pump set. For these cases, the UND\/II-IL vertical in-line centrifugal pump is available, which also complies with ANSI\/ASME B73.2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The logic behind this pump family is simple and worth understanding for the project team: the pump is installed directly in the piping, much like a valve. This eliminates the need for large bases and foundations and also removes the need for field alignment between the motor and pump, since both form a compact unit aligned at the factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition, because it can be installed in straight sections of piping, it reduces the need for elbows, bends, and joints that would otherwise be required simply to accommodate a horizontal pump set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The line offers capacities of up to 350 [m\u00b3\/h], heads up to 210 [m], and operating temperatures from -30 [\u00b0C] to 260 [\u00b0C].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    In-Line Centrifugal Pump – UND\/II-IL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Hazardous Products and Zero Leakage: UND\/MAG<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is a class of products for which the question of which mechanical seal to specify simply does not apply, because no leakage rate is acceptable. Flammable, explosive, toxic, lethal, carcinogenic, atmosphere-sensitive, pyrophoric, cryogenic, or strong-odor products require complete containment, and this is precisely the condition for which magnetically driven centrifugal pumps are designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the UND\/MAG model, power is transmitted from the motor to the impeller by means of a magnetic coupling through a containment shell, completely eliminating the shaft passage through the casing and, with it, the leakage path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The containment shell is manufactured as a single-piece, extra-heavy-duty component in Hastelloy C, produced by deep drawing and without welds, with alternatives in 304 stainless steel or titanium for high-pressure applications. The hydrostatic test pressure of the containment shell is 80 [bar].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The pump offers capacities of up to 300 [m\u00b3\/h], heads of up to 200 [m], and a maximum temperature of 120 [\u00b0C] with neodymium-iron-boron magnets, or up to 300 [\u00b0C] with samarium-cobalt magnets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The internal bearings are made of pure sintered silicon carbide and are mounted on the shaft using Hastelloy C tolerance-compensation rings, allowing operation at any temperature without mechanical compensation of clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is one important application detail that must be considered during specification: the minimum operating viscosity with standard bearings is 0.3 [cP]. Below this value, graphitized silicon carbide or graphite bearings must be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The pump is manufactured in accordance with ANSI B73.3 and also complies with ANSI\/HI 5.1 and 5.6, which are specific to magnetically driven pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Centrifugal Pump – UND\/II-MAG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The safety and reliability of an operation involving chemical products are determined, to a large extent, by the fixed equipment responsible for transferring the product from one container to another. A pump selected only on the basis of flow rate and price, without considering suction conditions, material compatibility, containment requirements, and dimensional standards, tends to become a source of recurring maintenance, unplanned shutdowns, and, ultimately, loss of containment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From a technical standpoint, the correct approach is the opposite: start with the product and the hydraulic conditions of each stage, and from there determine the appropriate equipment. For tank-truck unloading, with negative suction conditions and repeated cycles, the solution is the UND\/III-AE self-priming pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For flooded-suction transfer between tanks and to process lines, the appropriate options are the UND\/III process pump in accordance with ANSI\/ASME B73.1, or the UND\/II-IL vertical in-line pump in accordance with ANSI\/ASME B73.2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And where no leakage rate is acceptable, the solution is the UND\/MAG magnetic-drive pump in accordance with ANSI B73.3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Correctly selecting among these four configurations is what transforms a loading and unloading installation into a predictable operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scope of This Article and Further Developments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This article focused on the handling of liquid chemical products, which is the predominant service in storage facilities, terminals, and distribution centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is also worth noting that OMEL provides solutions for the handling and pneumatic unloading of bulk solids, whether in powder, granule, or pellet form, through its SRT Series Roots-type positive displacement rotary blowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Need Help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Send us your process conditions, product, flow rate, head, temperature, and suction arrangement, and OMEL\u2019s technical team will recommend the appropriate configuration for your installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Transfer Operation Within the Plant The flow of a facility supporting the transfer of chemical products is shorter than that of a process plant, but it is no less demanding. It almost always follows the same sequence: arrival of a tank truck, unloading into the storage tank, transfer between tanks or to the process […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15779"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15797,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15779\/revisions\/15797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omel.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}