Transfer Pumps
Suppose you're working in a large industrial setting such as a farm or factory, and you need to move some waste or fluid around. In that case, chances are you aren't going to want to do it by hand!
Transfer pumps can make moving fluids so much easier, but it's hard to work out the best for the average eye. Here we'll help you understand the different kinds of transfer pumps and which one is suitable for your job.
What is a Transfer Pump?
A transfer pump is a device that makes it easy to move fluids and other materials. Transfer pumps create suction, which carries the liquid from one point to another.
Transfer pumps transfer fluids (water and oil) and gases (gasoline, butane gas, oxygen, and nitrogen). Besides moving fluids from one place to another, transfer pumps are also helpful for non-liquid materials like dust or sand.
Generally speaking, transfer pumps suit applications where continuous flow helps to remove material from specific areas or supply material to these areas. It makes them great for large industrial scale uses such as on a farm.
What are the Different Kinds of Transfer Pumps?
There are many types of transfer pumps, and what you need will depend on what you're transferring and where it needs to go. Typically, these pumps are categorized by their use: sewage pipes need a sewage pump, water needs a water pump, fuel needs a fuel transfer pump, and so forth. But they are also organized by their mechanisms. Below is an overview of common types:
Fuel Transfer Pump
Fuel pumps to transfer fuel from one place to another while leaving unwanted components behind, using a filtration method. What these pumps do varies, but they all have one thing in common: they help you make moving fluids easier. Some of these transfer pumps can be moved from place to place, while others are stationary.
Diesel Transfer Pump
Diesel transfer pumps are a convenient tool for those who need to move diesel fuel from one place to another. There are different kinds of diesel transfer pumps, including those that can be assembled on-site by the user and those that come pre-assembled.
Water Pump
Water transfer pumps move large volumes of water from one place to another, be it a well, a reservoir, or even a fountain. The application of these transfer pumps is dependent on the specifications needed by their users.
They generally work well with water quality requirements as they require high pressure. Also, some water transfer pump applications require electrical energy while others run on pressure only.
Oil Pump
Oil transfer pumps are also known as oil suction pumps. These transfer pumps extract oil from one place and transfer it to another, including stationary ones. Others are movable by the user.
Sewage Pump
These transfer systems transfer solid waste and liquid from septic tanks or cesspools into inlets leading to the public sewer system.
Types of Pump by Mechanism
Choosing the right industrial pump also depends not only on what's moved but how the pump moves the fluid around. These are larger than household pumps and can have many moving parts.
They also do not tend to be very portable and need to be installed in one spot for the duration. Some of the different types include electric, hand, submersible, centrifugal, and plunger pumps.
Electric Pump
There are many different electric pumps, including air, displacement, and centrifugal. Electric pumps are ideal for jobs that require continuous flow. These pumps are also really quiet, which is essential for many industrial jobs.
Air Pump
Air pumps move air from a tank to a pressurized area, a compressed air line, a vacuum line, or an aerosol container. They use the same basic principle as car air conditioning systems: pushing air through the system and forcing it out of the way (think of your car's A/C system). Because these are stationary, they only have to work while they're in one place.
Displacement Pump
Displacement pumps can move fluids from one place to another through pipes and hoses. These pumps work by creating a vacuum with the liquid on one side of the pump and forcing it to the other side, but not pumping fluids through pipes.
Centrifugal Pump
These pumps have one moving part called an impeller. The impeller spins and forces fluids against a barrier, which creates a centripetal force that then sends the fluid through pipes or hoses.
Submersible Pump
These ‘sub pumps” are best for general cleaning, sewage, and groundwater removal. They require a tight seal around the pump for water to stay contained inside the unit. They are often used as basement pups or in boats to remove excess water that accumulates at the bottom.
Plunger Pump
Plunger pumps use suction to move fluids up and out of wells, tanks, or other containers. They do this by creating a vacuum that draws the liquid up through the center hole of its suction cups and then sends it out through its discharge point.
Hand Pump
A hand pump transfers fluid from a convenient location to the location where it is needed. It is portable, and the user needs to move it from one place to another physically. As the name implies, these manual pumps are operated by hand instead of a motor.
Drum Pump
Drum pumps are non-electric pumps which are used for pumping out liquids from barrels and drums. Drum pumps, or barrel pumps, are manually powered, high-capacity, positive displacement pumps. They are used to pump lubricating oils, fuel oil, solvents, waste water and other non-corrosive fluids, from barrels, tanks and drums. They have the capability to pump out liquid from any bottom surface of a drum.
These are just some of the different types of pumps out there. Always research the type of transfer pump that will work best for you before you buy it or install it. Consider your specifications and make sure you consider where the pump needs installing when looking at different manufacturer's products.
What Types of Pumps do Different Brands Offer?
Looking at all the brand names and types of transfer pumps can be confusing to a newcomer. So we've taken some of the biggest brands and made choosing a little easier.
Alemite Transfer Pumps
The Alemite transfer pump is one of the most popular brands of transfer pump. It's available in a wide range of different sizes. You can use it to move various fluids, including water, fuel, lubricating oil, air, and more. Each model comes with an electric start option, built-in pressure gauge, and a high-quality yet affordable construction.
Alemite Transfer PumpsParker Transfer Pumps
Parker offers various transfer pumps that are ideal for moving liquids and gases from one location to another. They also produce an extensive line of transfer tanks that come in different sizes and construction options. In helping you choose the suitable model for your situation, all their pumps and tanks have a 15-point inspection process during manufacturing.
Parker Transfer PumpsGraco Transfer Pumps
Graco is another household name that produces a wide range of transfer pumps. These pumps move water from one location to another, but you can also use them for other things like moving oil and grease. There are two different Graco transfer pump styles, depending on what you are looking for: portable and stationary.
Graco Transfer PumpsRaasm USA Transfer Pumps
Raasm USA produces a wide range of transfer pumps suitable for moving fluids indoors and outdoors. The variation in size between models means they also come in handy for moving fuels, grease, or other similar liquids.
Raasm USA Transfer PumpsFill-Rite Transfer Pumps
Fill-Rite transfer pumps are popular with both commercial and residential clients. They are usually used to move fluids and chemicals from one location to another. Still, they are also suitable for use in laboratories, workshops, and garages.
Fill-Rite Transfer PumpsSotera Transfer Pumps
Sotera is a company that manufactures and services pumps and drain and vent systems. They are one of the leading pump brands in the industry.
Sotera Transfer PumpsWhat Else Should I Look For When Buying a Transfer Pump?
Like most other things, it's important to take care of your transfer pump. Taking care of your transfer pump means that it lasts, is more efficient, and works better when you need it most. Here's how you can make sure you're buying the right pump.
Safety Certification
The best pumps are always going to be the safest ones. A transfer pump that is only safe for external use may have a different kind of safety certification than one that You can use indoors. You also want to make sure the actual pump you buy is certified, especially if it's going to be used in your home or outdoors.
Price
The price of a transfer pump varies depending on the brand and where you buy it. A reasonable price is between $300-$2000, though others can be as little as $100 and go up to the thousands.
Type of Pump
You will also need to figure out whether you need a portable or stationary pump before buying one. You can move a portable pump with great ease from one place to another. Still, stationary pumps are affordable and have added features like a pressure gauge.
Guarantee
There are many pumps on the market that come with a warranty. You need to make sure you're getting a pump that will last, and a guarantee means there's a way to get the pump fixed if it breaks down. That said, if you do find you need to repair a pump, then there are many guides to help online.
Construction
You will also want to think about the materials and construction of the transfer pump. One thing that has changed in recent years is that more pumps are coming with built-in safety features like pressure gauges and anti-clog valves.
And while some pumps are still made with metal parts, many are now made from plastic instead. The durability of these parts will decide how long your pump lasts. In some cases, you may want a pump with more durable parts if you want it to be reliable for years to come.
Buying the Right Transfer Pumps
If you want the biggest gains from your transfer pump, make an effort to make sure it's installed in the correct manner. Not only is this an important safety measure, but if you don't install the pump in the right way, it may not work very well.
When you buy a transfer pump, check out its warranty. The design makes sure you can get it fixed if something goes wrong with it and that it's safe for use in your home or workplace. Finally, take good care of your transfer pumps, so they last as long as possible.
If you're confident you know what transfer pump you need, visit our online store today, find the perfect part, and buy a transfer pump for your industrial needs!