Emptying a 200-litre drum by tipping it is awkward at best and dangerous at worst, especially when it holds chemical and weighs the better part of 250 kg full. Drum pumps solve that. A long tube drops in through the bung, the motor sits on top, and the contents are pumped out cleanly through a hose with no lifting, tilting or splashing.
We supply drum pumps and barrel pumps from Flux, Aro and Graco, from hand units up to heavy-duty electric and air models, and can source other makes for a specific job. The ranges are below, or call +44 1332 913500 for help choosing.
A drum pump, also called a barrel pump or container emptying pump, is built around three parts: a motor on top (electric, pneumatic or manual), an immersion tube that reaches down inside the container, and a discharge outlet for the hose or nozzle. A shaft runs down the tube to an impeller at the bottom, and when it spins the liquid is drawn up the tube and out at the top.
The point of all this is safe handling. Drum barrel pumps let an operator empty a container through the bung hole alone, with no need to lift or tip it, which cuts the risk of spills, chemical splashes and back injuries that comes with manhandling heavy drums.
Electric drum pumps are what you will find on most industrial sites. An electric motor drives the impeller, giving steady flow across a wide span of viscosities, and variable-speed motors allow precise control for dispensing and filling. Brushless versions run longer with less maintenance.
Pneumatic drum pumps run on compressed air, which makes them intrinsically safe for flammable and explosive liquids and a natural fit for ATEX zones. Where a site already has compressed air, an air-driven electric barrel pump alternative often makes sense.
Battery drum pumps bring portability where there is neither mains power nor air, on delivery vehicles, out in the field, or in warehouses without fixed services. A lithium-ion motor covers several drum-emptying cycles per charge.
Manual drum pumps are simple hand-operated lever, rotary or piston units for low-volume, occasional dispensing where powered kit is not justified.
The tube has to suit the liquid:
Four things decide the pump: the liquid (composition, viscosity, temperature, flammability), the container size (which sets tube length), the flow and head you need, and the power source available. As drum pump suppliers, we stock Flux (the F300 and F400 series, Combiflux, Juniorflux and Viscopower ranges), Aro and Graco, and source other makes where needed. Tell us the container, liquid and duty on +44 1332 913500 and we will recommend the right model.
If your questions have not been answered here, get in touch with our team for more information.
A drum pump is a portable pump inserted into the top of a drum, barrel, IBC or other container to transfer liquids safely without tipping or pouring. It consists of a motor at the top, an immersion tube inside the container, and a discharge outlet. Drum pumps are also commonly known as barrel pumps or container emptying pumps.
There is no difference: the terms are used interchangeably. “Drum pump” is the more common term in the UK; “barrel pump” is also widely used. Both refer to the same type of portable container emptying pump.
Drum pumps handle a wide range of liquids, including chemicals, acids, alkalis, solvents, oils, fuels, lubricants, paints, inks, food ingredients, pharmaceutical products and water. Applications span chemical processing, manufacturing, automotive workshops, agriculture, food production and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Selection depends on four factors: the liquid being pumped (chemical compatibility, viscosity, temperature and flammability), the container size (which determines tube length), the required flow rate and head, and the available power source (electric, pneumatic or battery). Send us your application details and we’ll specify the right pump.
Standard centrifugal drum pumps handle low-viscosity liquids up to around 250 cPs. For higher viscosities such as greases, resins, adhesives and thick oils, progressive cavity or eccentric screw drum pumps such as the Flux Viscopower range can handle fluids up to 100,000 cPs or more.
If you are pumping flammable or combustible liquids or operating in an area classified as a hazardous zone, yes, you need an ATEX-rated pump and motor combination. Stainless steel tube construction with a pneumatic or ATEX-certified electric motor is the standard configuration for flammable duties.
