In the Chemical Process Industries (CPI), you have to pay special attention to the interaction between the “media” or type of chemical you are pumping and the pump itself. Sometimes the media is acidic, toxic, corrosive, abrasive, or gas-laden, meaning it can be extremely valuable as well as extremely dangerous. Roughly 90% of damage to CPI pump systems results from poor design (for example, a leak in the seal) or an operating error. The damage can lead to downtime, incurred cost, and potentially, injured employees.  Magnetically coupled pumps, also known as magnetic drive pumps, are made up of a motor-driven shaft attached to a ring of permanent magnets (rotor) and another smaller ring of magnets that are attached to a second shaft and impeller within the larger ring. As the motor turns the shaft and one set of magnets, the generated magnetic field turns the second set of magnets, powering the impeller. The motor is coupled to the pump by magnetism, meaning there is no contact between the motor and impeller. The magnets used in magnetically coupled pumps are typically made of rare earth metals like samarium-cobalt or neodymium, both of which we offer. The magnets of the inner ring must be covered with some sort of corrosion-resistant coating, like stainless steel, to protect the magnet from whatever material is being pumped. Advantages to Using Magnetically Coupled Pumps There are a few notable advantages to using magnetic pumps instead of non-magnetic pumps, like canned motor pumps:
  1. Because the impeller is connected to the magnets and shaft by magnetism, if it’s obstructed, the motor can continue to turn without burning out. This saves the motor from any lasting or costly damage. 
  2. If you’re pumping a liquid that could seep into the motor unit, you can separate the motor unit from the impeller. 
  3. The design reduces any chance of leakage, which makes the magnetic drive pump ideal for pumping hazardous media or material. 
  4. Due to a lower heat transmission and overall more stable operating temperatures — particularly important to media that may have a critical boiling point — there are fewer complications.  
  5. Repairs and upgrades are easier to make because the motor is not an integral piece of the pump.
Apex Magnets Used in CPI Remember, the type of magnet you use in your magnetically coupled pump depends entirely on the type of media and your application. Please have that information on hand when you browse our collection, and call us any time of the day at (1-304) 257-1193 to discuss the best product for your particular needs.