Flux F 430 Drum Emptying Pump – High Performance Solution
Flux has been designing and manufacturing drum pumps for over 75 years. The Flux F 430 drum pump represents the pinnacle of our engineering expertise. Designed for heavy-duty use, this drum emptying pump combines performance, durability and advanced sealing technology to deliver quick, efficient liquid transfer from drums, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and tanks. In addition, these drum pumps are modular in design – drive motors are interchangeable and the pump can be quickly disassembled for decontamination or maintenance.
F 430 drum emptying pumps are centrifugal, axial (or optionally, semi-axial) impeller pumps, designed for handling low viscosity fluids up to 1,200 mPas. Furthermore, they are available in five different materials – stainless steel 316, polypropylene, PVDF, aluminium and Hastelloy-C, combined with a choice of o-ring materials. Therefore, we can guarantee material compatibility with almost any fluid, including corrosive acids, alkalis, flammable solvents, petroleum products and even food products.
Moreover, we manufacture F 430 pumps in custom lengths from 300 – 3,000 mm long, therefore covering many specialist tank or bund emptying applications. High-pressure models are also available, capable of producing discharge pressure up to 3.2 Bar. In addition, all F 430 drum pumps are serviceable designs, designed for long service intervals and maximum return on investment. To purchase Hastelloy-C pumps, high pressure IBC pumps and pumps in custom lengths, please contact our sales team.
Why choose the Flux F 430 drum emptying pump?
F 430 pumps incorporate several unique design features that differentiate them from competitors:
Two-piece modular design
Firstly, the two-piece modular design enables quick disassembly without specialised tools, streamlining cleaning and maintenance processes. The inner tube assembly, complete with the impeller, can be removed from the drum emptying pump in seconds, thereby making these pumps extremely easy to inspect and decontaminate. This feature is particularly advantageous for applications with stringent hygiene standards, or when making frequent media changeovers.
Sealed inner tube
Secondly, the inner tube is sealed to prevent liquid ingress, thereby protecting the bearings from wear caused by abrasive or crystallising media. The ceramic-oxide mechanical seal is precision-engineered to withstand chemical attack and thermal expansion, therefore making F 430 a good choice for handling high temperature, or corrosive fluids.
Steel-reinforced inner tube
In addition, polypropylene and PVDF drum pumps incorporate our unique, steel-reinforced inner tube. This imparts exceptional strength and torsional rigidity – consequently, this pump can endure mechanical loads far in excess of any other plastic drum pump.
Furthermore, the steel core is over-moulded, ensuring it does not come into contact with the pumped media. The rigid core provides extra support for the mechanical seal and drive shaft, thereby eliminating vibrations, enhancing mechanical stability at high temperatures and guaranteeing extended service intervals.
Minimal wetted area
Because the sealed inner tube prevents liquid ingress, the wetted area of the drum pump is reduced to a minimum. This is useful for preventing cross-contamination, especially when pumping multiple different fluids with one pump. Additionally, sanitary-grade pumps are available for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.
Reversible and two-piece drive shafts
Stainless steel and aluminium models utilise our high strength, reversible, 6 mm diameter driveshaft. This innovative design feature doubles the service life of the shaft, thereby halving ongoing maintenance costs.
Polypropylene and PVDF models utilise our unique two-piece shaft – the wetted section is constructed from chemical resistant Hastelloy C, whereas the non-wetted, main shaft is stainless steel. As a result, replacement costs are kept to a minimum, helping F 430 deliver class-leading whole-life cost, along with extended service life.
Choice of quick-release drive motors
Furthermore, the F 430 pump’s modular design extends to the interchangeable motor mounting. This consequently allows the operator to choose from various electric and compressed air powered drive motors.
Motors are attached and detached quickly, using a hand-operated, low-profile union nut. Therefore, one motor can be used to power multiple different pump tubes, keeping costs low, while providing maximum flexibility.
ATEX and FOOD approved models available
Finally, stainless steel and hastelloy-C pumps are provided with Ex-certification as standard. Therefore, they can be used in explosive atmospheres (containing gas or vapours) and to pump highly flammable liquids, for example in petrochemical manufacturing, or solvent dispensing applications.
Furthermore, food-safe versions (conforming to FDA CFR 21 and EC 1935 / 2004 standards) are available for hygienic applications, where cleanliness is critical.
What is a mechanical seal?
Mechanical shaft seals are an important component in many centrifugal pumps, including Flux F 425, F 426 and F 430 pumps.
The seal is designed to stop liquid entering the inner tube, which houses the driveshaft and its support bearings.
Because the impeller is immersed in the pumped fluid, the driveshaft requires a sealing mechanism to stop fluid travelling parallel to the shaft, which could result in contamination or damage to the bearings.
Rotating ring with spring
The hard-wearing, ceramic-oxide mechanical seal consists of a precisely machined rotating ring with a spring (positioned behind the impeller) and a stationary mating ring (fixed in the inner tube housing).
Notably, the two seal faces are held in firm contact by a combination of the spring pressure and fluid dynamics. A very thin film of pumped liquid lubricates the seal faces, but liquid does not pass through the seal.
The stationary seal face is fixed and sealed with an o-ring. This o-ring stops any liquid passing around the outside of the seal face. Meanwhile, a second o-ring sits between the rotating sealing face and the spring. This o-ring accommodates thermal expansion and imperceptible misalignments, without compromising the seal.
Chemical resistance
Since both o-rings are exposed to the pumped fluids, they must be manufactured from chemically resistant materials. For this reason, Flux offers mechanical seals with NBR, EPDM, FKM and FFKM o-rings. This ensures the seal is resistant to chemical attack from corrosive media such as strong acids, alkalis and solvents.
Mechanical seal life span
Furthermore, the mechanical seal is engineered to handle a wide range of operating pressures and temperatures. Unlike traditional packed gland type seals that will allow a small amount of continuous seepage, the F 430 mechanical seal is a long-life, high stability, leak-free barrier that prevents the pumped fluid (and any entrained solid, abrasive particles) from degrading the pump’s mechanical components.
Wear part
Note, however, the mechanical seal is a wear part that requires periodic replacement. Over time, the seal faces wear until eventually liquid bypasses the seal. To prevent this (and the resulting repair bill), we therefore advise that mechanical seals are replaced preventatively every 3 years (depending on use).
In very heavy-duty applications, or when handling abrasive, solids-laden media, the seal may require more frequent replacement.
F 430
How to determine if the F 430 is the right drum emptying pump for your needs
Firstly, choosing the right drum pump requires a comprehensive assessment of fluid properties and application parameters. You can find a list of considerations in our pump selection guide.
Once you have checked the performance curves and selected the correct materials of construction, motor type etc, as outlined in our guide, you should have a good idea if the F 430 pump will suit the task at hand.
Then consider that the Flux F 430 drum emptying pump excels in the following situations:
Pumping corrosive and / or flammable chemicals
High temperature applications up to 120 degrees C
Pumping abrasive and solids-entrained liquids, when the pump lifespan will be longer and maintenance costs will be lower than F 424 seal-less pumps
Pumping different chemicals with one pump, due to reduced wetted surface area compared to seal-less pumps
Handling low viscosity food products and flammable beverage products
When you require the strongest, most durable plastic drum pump available
Pumping out custom tanks, mixing vessels and containers, from 300 – 3,000 mm deep
However, F 430 also has some limitations and downsides:
Dry running can damage the mechanical seal. Try to limit dry running to approximately 30 seconds. In addition, always ensure the operator is present while the pump is running, unless the pump is controlled remotely, or via a programmable dispensing system.
Preventative maintenance: the mechanical seal should be replaced preventatively to minimise running and repair costs. We therefore recommend seal replacement every 3 years, assuming intermittent use. Heavy-duty applications may require more frequent seal replacement.
Therefore, when pumping pure fluids without abrasive or solid particles, maintenance down-time and associated costs exceed those of a comparable F 424 series seal-less pump.
What is the difference between the F 427 and F 430 food-grade drum emptying pumps?
F 427 and F 430 FOOD pumps are both stainless steel, low viscosity drum pumps, suitable for handling food, beverage and pharmaceutical products. Both models are available in a range of lengths and use the same F 400 series drive motors. Performance characteristics of the two models are the same.
The fundamental difference between the two pumps lies in their internal construction and intended use.
F 427
F 427 is a seal-less pump, which is ideal for transferring pure, solids-free, non-abrasive liquids. The pumped media will enter the inner tube that houses the drive shaft and bearings. Thanks to its innovative plug-in bearings, you can completely disassemble this pump for cleaning in a parts washer or autoclave.
F 430
Conversely, the F 430 pump incorporates a mechanical shaft seal that isolates the pumped fluid from the internal components, drastically reducing the wetted surface area. It takes only seconds to remove the top-pull inner tube assembly, complete with impeller, for physical cleaning or decontamination.
This pump performs best when handling very high-temperature products, fluids containing hard or soft solid particles, or when you need one pump to handle several different liquids. Cross-contamination risk is also minimised, thanks to its limited surface area.
Functional description – F 430
Centrifugal design
The Flux F 430 drum emptying pump is a centrifugal design, whereby an electric or compressed air motor drives a shaft-mounted, axial (or semi-axial) impeller at high speeds (up to 10,000 RPM).
The pump and motor are separate items, connected via a hand-operated union nut and a robust, replaceable coupling mechanism. The pump converts rotational energy into torque to drive the impeller, creating axial fluid flow parallel to the driveshaft.
Furthermore, the pump relies on gravity and atmospheric pressure to push the liquid to the pump inlet – the pump cannot create negative pressure and suck up the fluid. Therefore, the impeller must stay submerged in the fluid to operate.
Once active, it propels the liquid vertically up the pump tube, then out through the side discharge port at the top. Axial impellers prioritise flow efficiency, consequently delivering high flow rates with relatively low discharge pressure. Therefore, these pumps are suitable for most simple drum and IBC transfer tasks.
For higher discharge pressure and handling higher viscosity, or higher density fluids, F 430 drum pumps can be specified with a semi-axial impeller.
Thanks to the screw on foot-piece, impeller replacement is simple and takes just a few minutes.
F 430
Mechanical shaft seal
The F 430 pump incorporates a mechanical shaft seal, positioned at the end of the inner tube, behind the impeller. This seal prevents the pumped medium from entering the inner tube, protecting the driveshaft and bearings from exposure to corrosive, or abrasive fluids.
Plastic pumps (constructed primarily from PP and PVDF materials) incorporate our unique, over-moulded, steel-cored inner tube. Importantly, this adds considerable rigidity to the pump tube, for resistance to torsional forces and elimination of damaging vibrations that often cause the premature failure of less robust pumps.
Heavy duty bearings for optimal driveshaft support and stability
The pump’s heavy-duty brass bearings further support the driveshaft, reducing radial and axial loads to maintain alignment and ensure smooth operation in heavy-duty applications. This results in lower noise and vibration, enhancing operator safety and comfort while contributing to extended service life.
F 430 high performance IBC pump
Designed for high discharge pressure
For industrial IBC pumping processes that demand greater discharge pressure, for instance, pumping to higher floors, mezzanines, or the top of mixing vessels, the Flux F 430 PP 100/50 high-performance variant provides the optimal solution.
It is specifically engineered for tank and IBC fluid transfer, featuring a large 50 mm closed, high-strength impeller mounted in an over-size 100 mm diameter housing. We offer this pump exclusively in polypropylene material. Pumps are available in three lengths – 1,000 mm, 1,200 mm and 1,500 mm.
Pair with a high-output motor for excellent results
When paired with a high-output 800 W electric motor, or 900 W compressed air motor, the F 430 high-performance IBC pump can achieve discharge pressures exceeding 3 bar and flow rates up to 105 l/min. This makes it particularly effective for transferring low-viscosity fluids vertically to higher levels, such as overhead pipe systems, or when pumping long horizontal distances with significant pressure losses.
However, this pump is not suitable for use in closed (tight-head) barrels and drums, as the 100 mm impeller housing will not fit through the container opening.
To purchase this pump, please contact our sales team. For continuous duty tank circulation and filtration tasks, please take a look at our heavy-duty vertical immersion pumps.
Pump technical data
Pump type:
F 430 PP-100/50 centrifugal IBC pump with ceramic-oxide mechanical seal
Outer tube material: Polypropylene (PP)
Driveshaft: Hastelloy C
Inner tube: Polypropylene with steel cored inner tube for optimal strength and driveshaft support
Immersion lengths: 1,000 mm, 1,200 mm and 1,500 mm for 1,000 IBCs and tanks
Outer tube diameter: 50 mm pump tube, 100 mm impeller housing
Outlet connection: G 1 1/4” A BSPP
Suitable for use with F 414, F 416 Ex , F 457 (all), F 458-1 motors
Please note a hose connection is not included and must be purchased separately.
Performance data
Max flow rate: Approx. 105 l/min*1
Max discharge pressure: Approx. 32 mwc*1
Maximum liquid temperature: 50 degrees C
Max fluid density: Approx. 1.4 g/cm³
Max viscosity: Approx. 500 mPas
Dry run limitations: Not suitable for sustained dry-running
Solids handling:
Suitable for handling larger quantities of solid particles and abrasive media
*Measured with water at 20 degrees C in open flow condition. The maximum figures listed above are dependent on the application, fluid properties and the pump configuration. Please refer to technical data sheets or performance diagrams.
*dependent on pump type, diameter and motor.
Applications
This F 430 high pressure pump is suitable for demanding applications, such as transferring aqueous solutions, cleaning products, sanitisers, dilute acids and alkalis at high discharge pressures.
If your application involves pumping to elevated tanks, mezzanine floors, or through long pipe runs, the performance capability of this high-pressure F 430 IBC pump surpasses any standard drum pump.
Furthermore, the pump’s modular design with detachable motor provides safe manual handling, essential for processes involving multiple fluid changes or hazardous materials. Further application examples include:
Pumping process liquids from IBCs to overhead reactors or mixing vessels
Transferring neutral or corrosive liquids to high-level pipework
Filling pressurised dosing systems or elevated distribution manifolds
Serving as a feeder pump in centralised chemical supply networks
Media examples
The pump can handle many common liquids, such as:
Hydrochloric acid
Boric acid
Dilute sulphuric acid
Citric acid
Lactic acid
Phthalic acid
Sodium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Sodium hypochorite
Sodium bisulphite
Ammonia water
How is this version different to the standard F 430 drum emptying pump?
While the standard F 430 is an excellent all-purpose drum and container pump, the high-pressure F 430 PP 100/50 has been specifically optimised for more demanding delivery applications.
The pump incorporates the following features:
Larger diameter closed impeller: The 50 mm diameter rotor increases flow and pressure compared to the semi-axial rotor available in standard F 400 series pumps. The closed design increases rigidity, necessary for handling higher radial loads.
Wider impeller housing: Accommodates the larger impeller. The design enhances hydraulic performance and offers improved structural rigidity
Higher discharge pressure: Exceeding 3 bar, or 30 mwc (based on pumping water). Suitable for pumping longer vertical and horizontal distances, through filters, mixers or separators.
Specialised for tanks & IBCs: Designed for open tanks, lidded barrels and IBC containers with minimum 150 mm opening—unsuitable for closed, tight-head drums due to its over-size 100 mm diameter impeller housing.
F 430
Benefits
Benefits of the Flux F 430 high performance IBC pump
Faster transfer rates at high pressures: Reduces process cycle time in high-volume operations.
Ideal for delivering liquids to overhead tanks or multi-floor piping networks (transfer liquid from an IBC or tank, to higher floors)
Reliable under pressure: Handles pipe restrictions, mixers, separators, filters and long delivery runs.
Mechanical seal helps to prevent liquid and abrasive, solid particles entering the inner tube.
Unique steel-reinforced inner tube: Provides enhanced structural support for the driveshaft and mechanical seal – essential for high-load and high-temperature operations.
Wide motor compatibility: Suitable for Flux F 414, F 416, F 458-1, F 457, F 457 EL motors
Built for continuous duty: Engineered for extended use without compromising on performance or safety.
Fully serviceable, long-life design: Easy to dismantle and service; spare parts are readily available.
If you would like more information on our F 430 drum emptying pump, or to talk through your application- contact our sales team today. Email sales@flux-pumps.co.uk or call us on 01202 823304.
