Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is a versatile substance. It is used as a household cleaner, bleaching agent, and disinfectant. In commercial or industrial applications, a bleach transfer pump may be used to supply this substance in a water treatment process or other chemical application.
Any of these uses require careful control measures to ensure safe handling. Why? Sodium hypochlorite is considered hazardous by EPA and OSHA standards because exposure can cause severe health threats. It also reacts readily with other chemicals to release toxic gases that pose serious hazards. Potential effects range from minor skin irritations, to eye damage, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, and even death.
The risk of these hazards is higher in certain applications due to the concentration of bleach used in those applications. The higher the concentration, the greater the need for additional safety measures.
For example, standard household bleach has a sodium hypochlorite concentration of between 5% and 9%. Industrial bleach is formulated at higher concentrations which can reach more than 20%.
From household to industrial concentration levels, bleach is harmful not only to humans but can burn and corrode many materials – including the pumps used for transferring or mixing bleach. Because of this, it is critical to choose an appropriate bleach transfer pump for your application. Many pumps simply aren’t built to safely handle this substance. Let’s take a look at the ones that are.
Mag-drive pumps are ideal for bleach transfer pump applications. Other pump styles feature a direct drive mechanism which requires the use of a seal on the shaft. Exposure to high-concentration bleach can quickly corrode the seal and cause hazardous leaks.
Mag-drive pumps eliminate this risk. They offer a sealless design and heavy-duty construction that are ideal for success in bleach applications.
The magnetically driven bleach transfer pump design is simple yet effective. Powerful magnets are located on the impeller, and another set is mounted on the motor shaft. As the drive shaft rotates, it causes the impeller to rotate. With this design, no mechanical seal is necessary. The bleach that passes through the pump remains hermetically sealed within the housing – with no chance of leaking through a failed seal.
Not all pumps feature these key components that make them appropriate for bleach transfer applications. For a durable bleach transfer pump you can rely on for top safety and performance, turn to Finish Thompson’s industry-leading designs.
Finish Thompson offers a complete line of pumps for virtually every industrial application. Three of these pump series are ideal for bleach transfer pump applications.
DB Series Centrifugal Pumps
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SP Series Self-Priming Centrifugal Pumps
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ULTRAChem Series Centrifugal Pumps
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Finish Thompson Inc. designs and manufactures pumps for the safe transfer of a wide variety of corrosive liquids. Products include centrifugal sealless magnetic drive pumps with run-dry capability, mechanically sealed pumps, drum and barrel pumps, vertical mag-drive pumps, multi-stage pumps, and the FTI Air line of air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps. For durable solutions for your applications, contact Finish Thompson Inc.
