High Strength Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pumps for Metal Refining

Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump for Metal Refining: Precision Engineered for Aggressive Hydrometallurgical Processes

A corrosion resistant metallic pump for metal refining is not an ordinary centrifugal pump - it is a strategic asset designed to withstand the extreme chemical aggression, high temperatures, and abrasive solids encountered in modern hydrometallurgical plants. Whether your facility is recovering copper through solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW), purifying nickel or cobalt via pressure acid leaching, or refining zinc by electrolytic processing, the pump must reliably handle concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, mixed acid lixiviants, and metal-laden electrolytes day after day without failure. The metallic construction of these pumps, utilizing high-alloy stainless steels, duplex alloys, Hastelloy, and titanium, ensures that the wetted components maintain their structural integrity even when exposed to fluids with pH values as low as 0 and chloride contents exceeding 1,000 ppm. This is not a commodity pump - it is a highly engineered solution that integrates ASME B73.1 dimensional interchangeability with metallurgical expertise, advanced hydraulic modeling, and rigorous quality assurance testing.

The metal refining industry demands pumps capable of operating continuously in closed-loop circuits where process upsets can rapidly escalate into catastrophic corrosion failures. Our metallic pump range is built around a heavy-duty power frame, investment cast wetted parts, and a fully open impeller with rear adjustment, enabling precise clearance setting to maintain peak efficiency even as internal components experience wear. Unlike non-metallic pumps that rely on polymer linings or plastic casings, our corrosion resistant metallic pumps provide a homogeneous alloy barrier against the process fluid, eliminating the risk of liner debonding, permeation, or catastrophic cracking that can occur in lined equipment when subjected to rapid temperature cycling or vacuum conditions. This design philosophy directly addresses the critical requirement in metal refining for zero unplanned downtime and absolute containment of hazardous leachates.

From copper SX electrolyte circulation at 95 degrees Celsius containing 180 g/L sulfuric acid and entrained organic droplets, to nickel laterite autoclave discharge slurries with abrasive mineral solids, the pump must deliver stable hydraulic performance across a wide operating window. Advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimization of the impeller and volute ensures that flow separation and cavitation are minimized, even when the pump operates at reduced flow conditions during ramp-up or shutdown phases. The result is a metallic pump that achieves a longer mean time between repair (MTBR), lower lifecycle cost, and full compliance with stringent environmental regulations governing fugitive emissions in the non-ferrous metals sector. In every casting, every bearing arrangement, and every mechanical seal selection, the focus remains on providing a corrosion resistant metallic pump that becomes the most reliable asset in your refining flowsheet.

Why Metal Refining Operations Cannot Compromise on Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump Design

The aggressive chemical environment found in metal refining circuits, particularly in copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and precious metal hydrometallurgy, is characterized by strong mineral acids, high chloride concentrations, and oxidizing metal ions such as ferric iron and cupric copper. These species actively accelerate corrosion rates on standard materials, making it imperative that any pump in contact with the process stream is constructed from alloys specifically selected for their passivation behavior and resistance to localized attack. A general-purpose industrial pump constructed from 304 or 316 stainless steel will suffer rapid pitting corrosion, intergranular attack, or stress corrosion cracking in such services, leading to unplanned shutdowns, costly spill containment, and safety hazards from the release of toxic or corrosive fluids. The metal refining industry has therefore standardized on specialized corrosion resistant metallic pump platforms that integrate advanced material science with robust mechanical design to ensure long-term operational reliability.

Beyond mere material selection, the hydrometallurgical process imposes extreme mechanical demands. Many leach solutions carry high concentrations of abrasive solids - silica sand, undissolved ore particles, and precipitated gypsum or jarosite - that can rapidly erode pump casings and impellers if not designed with appropriate hardness gradients and sufficient wall thickness. Our corrosion resistant metallic pumps incorporate heavy-duty power frames with oversized shaft diameters and generous bearing spans, enabling the pump to withstand the hydraulic radial loads that arise during slurry transfer. The fully open impeller design, combined with rear adjustment capability, allows field operators to compensate for wear without disassembling the pump, maintaining consistent head and flow performance even after thousands of hours of service. This synergy between corrosion-resistant materials and abrasion-tolerant hydraulics is precisely what a general-purpose pump lacks, making a specialized metallic pump an absolute necessity for sustainable metal refining operations.

Process safety and environmental compliance further elevate the requirement for a purpose-built pump. In copper tankhouses, leaks of sulfuric acid electrolyte not only damage surrounding infrastructure but also create severe slip and corrosion hazards for operating personnel. In high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) plants for nickel laterites, the containment of hot, acidic slurry at 250 degrees Celsius and 50 bar demands that the pump wetted components are manufactured to stringent quality standards with full traceability of material certifications and NDE testing. A metallic pump for metal refining is designed with seal chamber geometries that accommodate advanced dual pressurized mechanical seal systems, complete with API piping plans that maintain a clean barrier fluid environment for the seal faces, effectively preventing fugitive emissions even during upset conditions. Without such dedicated features, the risk of catastrophic seal failure and associated safety incidents escalates dramatically, underlining why the industry must insist on a corrosion resistant metallic pump engineered exclusively for its unique process challenges.

Critical Applications of Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pumps Across the Metal Refining Flowsheet

A truly versatile corrosion resistant metallic pump finds deployment in multiple unit operations throughout a non-ferrous metal refinery. The following applications illustrate the breadth of challenges where our pump platform delivers unmatched performance. Each service demands a unique combination of material resistance, hydraulic capability, and mechanical shaft sealing expertise that our engineering team has cultivated through decades of field experience in mining and metals projects worldwide.

• Copper SX Electrolyte Circulation: Moving lean and rich electrolyte between extraction and stripping stages at flow rates up to 1,000 m3/h. The pump must resist 180–200 g/L sulfuric acid with dissolved copper and entrained organic at 40–45 degrees Celsius, while maintaining stable flow to prevent organic carry-over into the electrowinning cells.
• Zinc Electrolyte Recirculation: In zinc refineries, the pump handles highly acidic zinc sulfate solution with free sulfuric acid content of 160–200 g/L at temperatures around 35–40 degrees Celsius, often with manganese dioxide solids present from the purification steps. Materials like Alloy 20 or super duplex stainless steel are essential to prevent pitting from chloride contaminants.
• Pressure Acid Leach Slurry Transfer (Ni/Co HPAL): Pumping autoclave discharge slurry containing 30–40 wt% solids (unleached laterite, hematite, alunite) in a solution of 30–50 g/L free sulfuric acid at temperatures approaching 95 degrees Celsius downstream of the flash letdown vessels. The pump casing and impeller must be constructed from a duplex stainless steel or higher alloy to withstand both erosion and acidic chloride stress cracking.
• Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) Transfer: In heap leaching operations for copper and uranium, the pump transfers PLS containing dilute sulfuric acid (5–20 g/L) and dissolved metals from the collection ponds to the solvent extraction or ion exchange plant. High flow capacity combined with resistance to aerated solution and occasional solids carry-over is required.
• Acid Regeneration and Waste Acid Transfer: In steel pickling and metal finishing lines integrated with wire or strip processing, the pump handles hot hydrochloric acid (up to 18% concentration) at temperatures of 80–95 degrees Celsius, often with dissolved iron chlorides. High-silicon cast iron or Hastelloy C-grade alloys are frequently specified to cope with the aggressive conditions.
• Electrolyte Bleed Stream Handling: Continuous or periodic removal of a bleed stream from copper or zinc electrowinning circuits to control impurity levels in copper and zinc electrowinning circuits to maintain electrolyte purity and protect cathode quality. The pump must reliably transfer a slipstream of acidic solution containing suspended fine solids such as iron precipitates, manganese dioxide, or anode sludge, often at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. Our corrosion resistant metallic pump handles this demanding duty with a hydraulically balanced open impeller and wear-resistant casing, preventing clogging while ensuring stable flow to the bleed treatment system without interruption.

Across all these applications, the common thread is the need for a pump that integrates metallurgical intelligence with hydraulic precision. Our team performs a detailed technical review of each service condition, examining not only the bulk chemical composition but also trace impurities that can shift the corrosion mechanism from general wastage to localized pitting or stress corrosion cracking. This level of analysis ensures that the metallic pump you receive is configured with the optimal alloy, mechanical seal plan, and hydraulic trim to deliver decades of safe, low-maintenance performance in even the harshest metal refining environments.

Request a Detailed Quote for Your Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump

Get a custom-tailored pump solution that matches your exact metal refining process parameters and site conditions. Our application engineers will review your datasheet within hours and provide a comprehensive proposal including performance curves, material certifications, and seal selection.

Key Features of Our Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump for Metal Refining

Our pump platform distills decades of hydrometallurgical experience into an assembly of features that directly combat the failure modes most commonly observed in less specialized equipment. Each element, from the bearing frame to the impeller nose clearance, has been refined to maximize service life and minimize total cost of ownership in the demanding metal refining sector.

• High-Alloy Wetted Construction: Every pump casing, impeller, and wear plate is investment cast from chemically optimized alloys such as CD4MCuN duplex stainless, Hastelloy C-276, Alloy 20, or Titanium Grade 2 depending on the process fluid. These materials form stable passive layers that resist both uniform corrosion and localized pitting even in the presence of chlorides and oxidizing metal ions.
• Fully Open Impeller with Rear Clearance Adjustment: The open impeller design handles slurries and solids without clogging, while the precision rear adjustment mechanism allows field-setting of the impeller-to-casing clearance to restore hydraulic efficiency as internal components wear. This eliminates the need for expensive disassembly and extends the useful life between major overhauls.
• Heavy-Duty Power Frame with Oversized Shaft: A rigid cast iron or steel bearing housing accommodates a shaft diameter up to 40% larger than standard ANSI pumps, reducing shaft deflection under high radial loads. This maintains concentricity between the mechanical seal faces and eliminates vibration-related seal failures, a critical advantage in slurry and high-temperature services.
• Advanced Mechanical Seal Chamber: The seal housing is designed per API 682 guidelines with a large bore that promotes effective cooling and venting. It accommodates single, double, or tandem cartridge seals with a choice of flush plans (Plan 11, 32, 53A, 54) to ensure the seal environment remains clean and pressurized, even when pumping fluids with high solids or near their boiling point.
• CFD-Optimized Hydraulic Path: The volute and impeller profiles are shaped using computational fluid dynamics to minimize internal recirculation and turbulence. This results in a smooth, non-pulsating flow that reduces energy consumption and wear, while the carefully designed suction eye prevents cavitation even at low NPSH margins typical in hot electrolyte circuits.
• Full Traceability and Material Certification: All pressure-retaining components are supplied with EN 10204 Type 3.1 material test certificates, confirming chemical analysis and mechanical properties. This documentation supports the rigorous QA/QC programs mandatory in modern metal refining projects and facilitates compliance with ISO 9001 and local regulatory requirements.
• Modular Interchangeability: The power frame, bearing cartridge, and shaft assembly are common across a range of alloy casings, allowing you to stock fewer spare parts and simplify maintenance. This modular approach reduces inventory cost while ensuring that critical rotating elements can be quickly swapped during planned turnarounds.

These features collectively ensure that the corrosion resistant metallic pump maintains its operating envelope over extended campaigns, minimizing process interruptions and safeguarding the high capital investment of a modern metal refinery. Our engineering team provides a complete installation and commissioning support package, including vibration analysis and seal startup procedures, to guarantee that these features translate into reliable field performance from day one.

Technical Specifications of Our Metallic Process Pump Platform

The following specifications define the standard operating envelope and construction standards of our corrosion resistant metallic pump range. Custom engineering is available for services falling outside these parameters to ensure complete process compatibility.

• Flow Capacity Range: From 2 to 1,600 m3/h (10 to 7,000 US gpm), covering low-flow metering duties up to high-capacity main transfer circuits. The pump is available in various frame sizes, enabling selection of the most efficient operating point near the best efficiency point (BEP) to minimize recirculation and maximize energy savings across the entire process flow range.
• Total Dynamic Head: Up to 250 meters (820 feet) of head generation, accommodating the high-pressure requirements of autoclave feed pumps, long-distance PLS transfer pipelines, and high-head interstage duties in pressure oxidation circuits. The fully shrouded volute design maintains structural integrity and minimizes deflection under high discharge pressure conditions.
• Temperature Range: -40 degrees Celsius to +300 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit to +570 degrees Fahrenheit) dependent upon material selection and mechanical seal arrangement. High-temperature constructions include centerline-mounted casings and cooling jackets to manage thermal growth and protect bearing assemblies from heat soak in services such as hot zinc electrolyte recirculation.
• Standard Wetted Materials: Alloy 20 (CN7M), CD4MCuN duplex stainless, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy B, Titanium Grade 2/7, and high-silicon cast iron. Each material is selected after a detailed corrosion rate calculation based on the specific acid concentration, temperature, and impurity profile of the process fluid, ensuring a minimum design life of 10 years under normal operating conditions.
• Flange Standards: ASME B16.5 Class 150 or 300 raised face flanges, with alternative EN 1092-1 PN16 or PN40 flanges available for projects requiring metric dimensioning. All flanges are full-faced and machined to a smooth finish to ensure reliable gasket sealing, preventing fugitive acid leaks that can cause localized corrosion of external steel structures.
• Mechanical Seal Configurations: Single cartridge seal with Plan 11/13 flush for clean fluids; double pressurized seal with Plan 53A barrier fluid system for dirty or crystallizing services; API Plan 54 with external flush for high-temperature or abrasive slurry applications. All seal components in contact with process fluid are furnished with the same alloy as the pump casing to maintain complete chemical compatibility.
• Bearing Arrangement: A rigid shaft supported by a duplex pair of angular contact bearings on the thrust side and a single deep groove ball bearing on the radial side, lubricated by a pressurized oil bath or grease for life. Bearing L10 life is calculated to exceed 30,000 hours under maximum speed and load conditions, reducing the frequency of bearing replacements in critical process positions.
• Motor and Drive Options: IEC frame motors from 0.37 kW to 315 kW in 2, 4, and 6 pole configurations (3000, 1500, 1000 rpm at 50 Hz), with ATEX certification available for Zone 1 or Zone 2 hazardous areas. Direct-coupled and belt-drive arrangements offer flexibility to match site power supplies and optimize hydraulic performance without oversizing the motor.
• Testing and Quality Control: Each pump undergoes a hydrostatic test at 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure, a performance test confirming flow, head, and NPSHr curves per ISO 9906 Grade 1, and a vibration test per ISO 10816-7. Optional positive material identification (PMI) and dye penetrant inspection of castings are available for critical services.

These technical specifications are designed to cover the vast majority of metal refining applications without compromise. For processes requiring truly unique hydraulic parameters or exotic alloys, our engineering team collaborates with your process engineers to develop a fully customized solution, including prototype testing in our in-house R&D facility before final delivery.

Why Choose HIS Pumps and Systems for Your Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump Needs

HIS Pumps and Systems has built a reputation as a premier supplier of engineered pumps for the global mining and metals industry, combining deep application experience with a manufacturing philosophy centered on quality and reliability. Our corrosion resistant metallic pump range is the result of continuous collaboration with metallurgists, process engineers, and maintenance teams at leading copper, zinc, nickel, and cobalt refineries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This field-driven development ensures that every pump we ship incorporates real-world lessons about corrosion mechanisms, wear patterns, and seal performance that cannot be learned from a laboratory alone. We understand that in a metal refinery, a pump failure is not just a maintenance event - it is a direct threat to cathode quality, throughput targets, and most importantly, the safety of your workforce. That awareness drives our commitment to producing pumps that exceed the performance of generic industrial equipment by a wide margin.

Our unique value proposition extends beyond the pump hardware to encompass a complete lifecycle support model. From the initial process audit where we analyze your electrolyte chemistry, temperature cycles, and available NPSH, to the final commissioning where our field engineers supervise alignment, verify seal flush systems, and conduct baseline vibration signatures, we are a partner invested in your long-term operational success. We maintain an extensive inventory of alloy castings and mechanical seal components, enabling expedited delivery of spare parts to remote mine sites when unplanned outages occur. This combination of technical depth, manufacturing excellence, and responsive aftermarket service is why leading metal refining groups choose HIS Pumps and Systems for their most demanding corrosive and abrasive pump applications.

• Proven Track Record in Metal Refining: Our pumps are operating in copper tankhouse electrolyte circuits, nickel HPAL plants, and zinc purification sections worldwide, consistently achieving MTBR values exceeding 4 years in some of the most corrosive services in the industry.
• Material Selection Expertise: We perform electrochemical corrosion analysis (potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic polarization) on process samples to scientifically validate material choices, eliminating guesswork and ensuring that your pump is matched to your chemistry from day one.
• In-House Foundry Quality Control: Our investment casting process incorporates real-time spectrometer verification of every heat, ensuring that critical alloying elements like chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen are present at exact and optimized levels for corrosion resistance.
• Global Aftermarket Network: Strategically located service centers stock impellers, casings, seal kits, and bearings, allowing rapid delivery to major mining hubs in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia to minimize plant downtime.
• Custom Hydraulic Design: For non-standard flow/head requirements, we can trim impellers to exact specifications or develop custom hydraulic profiles using CFD to match your unique process curve, ensuring the pump runs close to its BEP and avoiding the efficiency penalties of oversized equipment.
• Commitment to Safety and Compliance: All pumps are manufactured in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facilities, and we provide full documentation packages including weld procedure specifications, NDE reports, and CE/UKCA marking as required for regional installation, simplifying regulatory approvals.

When you partner with HIS Pumps and Systems, you are not just purchasing a piece of equipment - you are gaining access to a dedicated team of pump specialists who understand the language of metal refining, from the impact of glue and guar flocculants on seal faces to the importance of avoiding iron contamination in electrolyte streams feeding precious metal recovery circuits. This depth of understanding translates into pump installations that reliably achieve their design life, helping you meet your production budgets with confidence.

Talk to Our Pump Experts About Your Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump Requirements

Connect directly with our application engineers who specialize in hydrometallurgical pump solutions. We will review your process data, discuss material options, and provide a technical recommendation tailored to your exact metal refining application - no generic advice, just deep industry expertise.

Material Compatibility of Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pumps in Aggressive Refining Media

The cornerstone of a durable corrosion resistant metallic pump for metal refining is the correct selection of alloys that maintain passivity in the specific chemical environment of your process. Hydrometallurgical circuits present a complex mixture of acids, oxidizing agents, and halides that can rapidly degrade standard stainless steels through pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. Our material compatibility program combines laboratory electrochemical testing with field-proven performance data to match the optimal alloy to your fluid composition, temperature, and pH, ensuring a service life that aligns with your major plant turnaround intervals.

The following material families form the backbone of our corrosion resistant pump portfolio. Each has a defined operating window for acid concentration and temperature, and our engineers will overlay your process conditions onto iso-corrosion curves to verify that the selected alloy remains in the passive region rather than transpassive breakdown. Beyond bulk chemical resistance, we evaluate the alloy microstructure, ensuring that the casting process produces a homogeneous, defect-free matrix that resists selective phase attack and intergranular corrosion at heat-affected zones.

• Hastelloy C-276 (UNS N10276): The premier nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy for mixed acid environments containing chlorides. It resists pitting and crevice corrosion in sulfuric acid up to 98% concentration at elevated temperatures and handles hydrochloric acid even in the presence of oxidizing ferric ions, making it ideal for nickel HPAL leachate and contaminated zinc electrolyte circuits where chloride impurity levels cannot be fully controlled.
• Alloy 20 (UNS N08020 / CN7M cast): Designed specifically for sulfuric acid service, this austenitic stainless steel with additions of nickel, chromium, copper, and molybdenum offers excellent resistance to hot sulfuric acid at concentrations up to 40% and is widely used in copper SX electrolyte circulation pumps, where the presence of dissolved copper and organic does not compromise its passive film stability.
• Duplex Stainless Steel CD4MCuN (UNS J93372): A nitrogen-enhanced duplex alloy offering a balance of high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in sulfuric acid with moderate chloride levels. Its dual-phase microstructure provides superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking compared to standard austenitic grades, making it suitable for autoclave discharge and slurry transfer pumps where both corrosion and erosion must be addressed simultaneously.
• Titanium Grade 2 (UNS R50400) and Grade 7 (UNS R52400): Titanium exhibits exceptional resistance to oxidizing acids including nitric acid and chlorine-saturated solutions, and is often selected for precious metal refining circuits where aqua regia or hydrochloric/chlorine mixtures are present. Grade 7 with palladium addition enhances crevice corrosion resistance in chloride brines at temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius.
• Super Duplex Stainless Steel (UNS S32750 / S32760): With a pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) typically above 40, these alloys deliver high pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in warm seawater and dilute acidic brines, finding application in coastal metal refineries using seawater for cooling or as process water, and in chlorination leach circuits for gold extraction.
• High-Silicon Cast Iron (ASTM A518 Grade 2): An economical choice for highly concentrated sulfuric acid (above 90%) at ambient to moderately elevated temperatures, often used in acid dilution and distribution systems. The high silicon content forms a glassy protective surface layer, but the material is brittle and requires careful piping support and temperature shock avoidance.
• Hastelloy B (UNS N10001): This alloy is optimized for resistance to pure hydrochloric acid at all concentrations and temperatures, but is vulnerable to oxidizing impurities. It is employed in specialized HCl regeneration loops and in the pickling of refractory metals where oxidizing agents are rigorously excluded from the process stream.

Our metallurgical engineers will review your process chemistry in detail, including trace contaminants such as fluoride, ferric ion, and dissolved oxygen, which can dramatically alter corrosion rates. We can perform immersion coupon tests in actual plant liquors to confirm alloy performance before finalizing the pump design, ensuring that your corrosion resistant metallic pump delivers the longevity that your metal refining operation demands.

Selection Guide for Corrosion Resistant Metallic Pump in Metal Refining

Choosing the correct corrosion resistant metallic pump involves a systematic evaluation of process conditions, hydraulic requirements, and installation constraints. The following guide highlights the key decision points that our application engineers consider when specifying a pump for your metal refining circuit. Providing accurate data on each of these parameters allows us to select the optimal materials, hydraulic trim, and seal system for a trouble-free installation.

• Full Chemical Analysis of the Fluid: Provide the complete weight percent of all acids, dissolved metals, and impurities, including chloride, fluoride, and ferric ion content. Trace levels of halides can be the determining factor between a successful alloy selection and premature pitting failure, so routine plant assay data is essential for an accurate evaluation.
• Operating and Design Temperature: Specify the normal operating temperature and any anticipated excursions (e.g., during autoclave startup or process upsets). Material corrosion resistance and mechanical seal elastomer limits are temperature-dependent, and a pump sized for continuous duty at 60 degrees Celsius may require upgraded materials if it must survive periodic spikes above 90 degrees Celsius.
• Solids Content and Particle Size Distribution: For slurry services, quantify the weight percentage of solids, their specific gravity, and the d50 and d90 particle sizes. Hard, angular particles like silica sand require an impeller with higher surface hardness and a casing with sufficient wear allowance, while soft precipitates may need only agitation to stay in suspension and may allow tight impeller clearances for maximum efficiency. Matching the pump hydraulic design to the slurry rheology prevents clogging and ensures stable operation across the entire flow range.
• Available Net Positive Suction Head (NPSHa): Calculate the NPSHa at the pump suction flange for the worst-case operating scenario (minimum liquid level, maximum temperature, and maximum flow). Hot acidic solutions near their boiling point, such as copper electrolyte at 95 degrees Celsius in a tankhouse, require a pump with low NPSHr characteristics and may necessitate a suction inducer or a low-speed pump selection to prevent damaging cavitation.
• Installation and Piping Configuration: Define whether the pump will be floor-mounted or sump-immersed, the suction pipe diameter and length, and the presence of strainers, valves, or expansion joints. Long suction lines with multiple fittings increase friction losses and demand a pump with higher NPSHr capability, while a flooded suction arrangement from an overhead tank provides the most forgiving hydraulic conditions for prolonged seal life.
• Seal Flush Plan and Environmental Controls: Determine the most appropriate API piping plan for your service - a simple Plan 11 recirculation from pump discharge for clean electrolyte, a Plan 32 external clean flush for fluids that crystallize or solidify on cooling, or a Plan 53A pressurized barrier fluid system for zero process emissions. The seal support system must be specified alongside the pump to ensure a complete, integrated solution that prevents fugitive acid leaks.
• Spare Parts and Lifecycle Planning: Collaborate with our team to identify the critical wear components (impeller, wear plate, seal faces, bearings) and establish a recommended spare parts holding for one, two, or five years of operation. A well-planned inventory ensures that routine maintenance can be completed during scheduled plant shutdowns without waiting for emergency deliveries from overseas foundries.
• Hazardous Area Classification: Confirm the zone rating and gas group for your installation area, particularly in solvent extraction plants where organic vapors may create a flammable atmosphere. Our pumps can be supplied with ATEX-certified motors, static grounding brushes, and spark-resistant coupling guards to meet the safety requirements of Zone 1 and Zone 2 classified locations in metal refining facilities.
• Performance Testing and Witnessed Inspections: Specify the level of factory acceptance testing required - from a standard performance curve verification to a fully witnessed test with customer representation, including vibration analysis, bearing temperature monitoring, and net positive suction head testing. These tests provide documented assurance that your corrosion resistant metallic pump meets the hydraulic and mechanical guarantees before it leaves our workshop.

Our pump selection process is a collaborative effort between your process team and our application engineers. We encourage you to forward a completed pump datasheet with your enquiry so that we can perform a preliminary review, identify any potential risk areas, and propose a technically optimized solution. With decades of accumulated experience in metal refining, we can often anticipate challenges that may not yet be visible in your design phase, helping you avoid costly field modifications and ensuring that your corrosion resistant metallic pump performs reliably from initial commissioning through to the next major turnaround, year after year.