Application Note: Pumps and Bungs on 15 and 55 Gallon Drums

 Alconox, LLC 15 and 55 gal drums have two openings on the top side of the drums. 

55 gal drum

• 2 inch NPS (fine) thread female opening with a 2 inch NPS plug and EPDM gasket. 
• 2 inch buttress (course) thread female opening with a 2 inch buttress plug and EPDM gasket.  The plug has a female ¾ inch faucet opening with a place to punch a hole for use. 

15 gal drum

• ¾ inch NPS (fine) thread female opening with ¾ inch NPS plug and EPR gasket.
• 2 inch NPS (fine) thread female opening with a 2 inch buttress plug and EPDM gasket. 

Any chemical transfer drum pump that is resistant to water based detergent chemicals (alkali or acid) can be used with these drums and Alconox, LLC  detergents.  Generally, you would want a stainless steel, polyethylene (PE or HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) pump.  Avoid aluminum and cast-iron pumps.  Gaskets and seals made of Viton, Buna,  EPDM, EPR or PTFE are generally fine.  Get a pump that can handle fluids of 50-200 centipois (cps) viscosities.

If you are making attachments to the drum to allow gravity draining of the drums while leaning on their sides, be sure to get NPS threaded attachments with gaskets to minimize leaking. 

If you purchase drum pumps that are intended for 15 and 55 gallon drums, generally these will have 2 inch NPS thread attachments.  You can get manual, foot pump, air powered, battery powered or electric pumps.

 A variety of pumps and fittings are available from industrial supply companies.   In the US drum pumps can be sourced from companies such as Grainger, McMaster Carr, Fastenal, and Wesco.   The pumps specified for use with 15 and 55 gal drums are typically 2 inch NPS thread connections that will work with these drums.

If you are attaching a pump to an upright drum, you can use a 2” NPT threaded pump attachment in the 2” NPS threaded opening.  It will not make a perfect seal, but because the drum is upright, you do not  tend to get any spills.  There will be a dip tube that goes down into the drum to draw out liquid.  The NPT to NPS threading will just be used to make a mechanical attachment to the drum and does not require a perfect seal.

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