3.5.3 Barrel pump

Barrel pump

A Barrel pump are as the name implies intended for emptying small tanks. Consisting either of an externally mounted hand operated lever action type pump or of a motor section, immersion tube and a pump section. The pump section is located in the lower end of the immersion tube and is driven by the motor via an extended shaft. The shaft is protected by an inner tube. The pumped fluid flows between the inner tube and the immersion tube to the barrel pumps outlet at the motor end. For obvious reasons, a barrel pump should be lightweight and easy to transport to the next barrel which is to be emptied.

Barrel pumps are manufactured with a variety of immersion tube lengths. They can be made from materials having good resistance to chemical action and are often fitted with enclosed electric motors for use in explosive atmospheres. Low voltage and compressed air operated motors are also available. The pump section for fluent fluids is of the centrifugal type whilst eccentric screw pumps or similar types of pumps are used for viscous fluids.

Figure 3.53a Barrel pumps for fluent and viscous fluids.