Mag‑Drive (Sealless) Chemical Pumps
Mag‑drive (sealless) centrifugal pumps eliminate mechanical seals and the fugitive emissions, leak paths, and maintenance that come with them. We size and supply Iwaki and Finish Thompson (FTI) mag‑drive pumps in PP, PVDF, ETFE‑lined, and 316SS constructions for corrosives, toxics, solvents, ultra‑pure, and odor‑critical services—aligned with ANSI/ASME B73.3 where required.
Need to control run‑dry, solids, SG > 1.3, or high temperature? We’ll spec the right bearings (SiC/Carbon), containment shell, torque ring, motor HP, and protection relays—often shipping the same day from California, Washington, and Arizona. Talk to a sealless pump engineer—most quotes leave our inbox within one business hour.
Quick Selector: Iwaki vs. Finish Thompson Mag‑Drive Lines
| Brand / Representative Series | Materials | Typical Max Flow* | Typical Max Head* | Temp / SG Guidance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iwaki (MD, MX, MDM, MDMX, FRP/ETFE‑lined) | PP, GFR‑PP, PVDF, ETFE‑lined metal | Up to ~500 GPM (series‑dependent) | Up to ~300 ft TDH (series‑dependent) | High temp & SG with reinforced shells/bearings | Aggressive acids/solvents, ultra‑pure, fabs, chemical process |
| Finish Thompson (DB, SP, UC, SXC/SC, SS) | PP, PVDF, ETFE‑lined, 316SS | Up to ~400 GPM (series‑dependent) | Up to ~280 ft TDH (series‑dependent) | Wide SG/viscosity window, metallic options | Corrosives & solvents, truck unloading, OEM skids, metals service |
* Representative values. We’ll confirm exact limits vs. your duty (flow, head, temp, SG, viscosity).
Why (and When) Mag‑Drive Sealless Pumps Win
- Zero mechanical seal = zero routine seal failures, zero emissions, and lower lifecycle cost
- Absolutely leak‑free containment for corrosives, toxics, and odor‑critical fluids
- ANSI/ASME B73.3 alignment available for many process services
- Compact, easy to maintain (no seal plan/API 682 hardware)
- No alignment issues on close‑coupled designs; reduced installation cost
How We Engineer Mag‑Drive Pumps (So You Don’t Decouple, Overheat, or Gall Bearings)
1) SG, Viscosity & Torque
Heavier SG and higher viscosity raise torque requirements and risk magnetic decoupling. We size the magnet set and motor HP accordingly, and verify starting torque at cold‑start viscosity.
2) Run‑Dry & Minimum Flow Protection
Mag‑drive pumps rely on the liquid to cool and lubricate sleeve bearings. We add power/heat monitors, flow switches, temperature sensors, or VFD logic to prevent run‑dry and low‑flow overheating.
3) Materials, Bearings & Shells
We match PP, PVDF, ETFE, or 316SS to your chemical. Bearings and thrust surfaces: SiC/SiC, Carbon/SiC, PTFE‑filled—chosen for dry‑film lubrication, shock, and abrasion risk. Metallic shells handle higher temperature/pressure; non‑metallic reduce eddy‑current heat.
4) NPSHa, Vapor Pressure & Off‑Gassing
Low NPSHa and off‑gassing chemicals (e.g., NaOCl) can starve bearings of liquid. We’ll confirm NPSHa > NPSHr + margin, consider flooded suction, vertical sump configurations, or alternate technologies (AODD/peristaltic) when needed.
Iwaki vs. Finish Thompson — Where Each Shines
| Brand | Core Strengths | Notable Options | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iwaki | Broad chemical compatibility, engineered ETFE/FRP lined designs, high reliability for fabs/process | High‑temp shells, SiC bearings, reinforced magnet sets | Aggressive acids/solvents, semiconductor, chemical process, ultra‑pure |
| Finish Thompson (FTI) | ANSI/ASME B73.3‑style coverage, plastics & metallic (316SS/ETFE‑lined), easy serviceability | Close‑coupled & frame‑mounted, run‑dry/thermal protection accessories | Corrosives, solvents, truck unloading, OEM skids, general chemical transfer |
Common Mag‑Drive Pump Applications
- Chemical & Petrochemical – acids, caustics, solvents, isocyanates
- Ultra‑Pure / Semiconductor – UPW, HF, HCl, aggressive etchants
- Water & Wastewater – sodium hypochlorite, ferric chloride, polymers
- Food & Beverage / Flavor & Fragrance (non‑shedding plastics, SS options)
- Battery / EV / Mining – electrolytes, leach solutions, corrosives
- Pharma / Biotech utilities (CIP/Caustic/Acid transfer)
Parts, Kits & Protection You’ll Want
- SiC / Carbon bearings, thrust rings, containment shells
- Complete wet‑end kits, impellers, O‑rings, hardware
- Power monitors, temperature switches, dry‑run relays
- Baseplates, motors, VFDs, suction strainers
- ANSI‑style casing adapters, flush/flushless bushings
Send your flow, head, temperature, SG/viscosity, chemistry & required standard (ANSI/ASME). Quotes usually in < 1 hour.
Mag‑Drive Pump FAQs
Are mag‑drive pumps really leak‑free?
Yes—there’s no mechanical seal. The pump is fully contained by a static containment shell, eliminating typical seal leak paths and emissions.
Can mag‑drive pumps handle solids?
Limited. Hard particles can score SiC bearings and seize the pump. If solids are present, we add strainers, flush bushings, or consider alternate technologies (AODD, recessed impeller).
What causes magnetic decoupling?
Excess torque demand—often from high SG/viscosity, rapid acceleration, or a plugged discharge. We size magnet sets and apply power monitors/VFD ramping to prevent it.
Are mag‑drive pumps ANSI/ASME B73.3 compliant?
Many Iwaki and FTI models are offered in ANSI/ASME B73.3 configurations. Tell us your spec and we’ll align dimensions, hydraulics, and metallurgy.
Can mag‑drive pumps run dry?
No—run‑dry rapidly overheats bearings & shells. We always recommend run‑dry protection (power/temperature monitors, flow switches, VFD logic).