High Viscosity Barrel Pumps

If you have a 1000 litre IBC you will require a 1200mm tube, a 205 litre drum requires a 1000mm and if you have a smaller container 700mm and shorter tubes are available. For larger containers we can offer longer tube sets on specification

The general rule of thumb is that for low-medium duty applications where viscosity is <250cP the F300 is sufficient. For heavy duty applications, flammable liquids and viscosities of <1200cP choose the F400. For shear sensitive fluids or viscosities that exceed 1200cP then the Viscopower is required. Upon disclosure of your application, we can confirm the best solution.

The F425 model is capable of emptying 99.98% of a container's contents. This drum pump is generally selected when the liquid is particularly valuable to minimise waste.

The F426 model is capable of both mixing and pumping the liquid within the container, which is a lower cost solution when compared to a separate mixer and pump.

For liquids with a flashpoint below 50°C, we offer our Stainless Steel F400 models and Viscopower series with ATEX approved motors or Viscoflux Lite EX.

Our range includes both FDA and 3A approved hygienic models. When the viscosity is >1200cP we offer the sanitary Viscopower F570 and F580 models and the Viscoflux Mobile. If <1200cP we typically select the F427, or the F430 food grade version when pumping alcohols or foodstuff with solids.

If you are pumping one liquid or very similar liquids, you can use the F314 or F424 seal-less models, if you are pumping multiple diferent liquids or where cross contamination is not desirable use the F310 or F430 drum pumps.

As viscosity determines the resistance of a fluid to motion or it's "flowability", viscous fluids need a pump that have limited frictional losses inside the pump. Whilst centrifugal pumps' flow rate rapidly declines as viscosity increases, positive displacement pumps operate very efficiently due to their internal clearances.

Some fluids' viscosity changes as their temperature does, making it important we know the temperature that the fluid is usually pumped at. For example, as oil, honey and butter get colder, they get thicker. Read our article for more information: https://www.castlepumps.com/info-hub/why-viscosity-is-critical-to-pump-selection/