Diesel Barrel Pump | Efficient Diesel Drum Pumps for Safe Fuel Transfer

Features of a Flux diesel barrel pump

The Flux diesel barrel pump range is engineered to provide safe, efficient and reliable fuel transfer in a wide range of applications. Here’s why Flux is the preferred choice for diesel handling:

Manufactured from high-quality aluminium, Flux diesel barrel pumps are built for long-lasting performance in tough, demanding environments. With unique design features to extend service life, our pumps are exceptionally durable and easy to maintain.

Diesel is not classified as a highly flammable liquid, so standard aluminium diesel pumps do not require Ex-certification. However, our stainless steel pumps can be used to transfer diesel at Ex-zoned sites. For example, fuel transfer stations, tank farms and refineries. ATEX pumps and motors are also required for handling other fuels, such as kerosene and petrol.

Designed with portability in mind, a Flux diesel barrel pump is lightweight. It also features ergonomic handles for easy handling and transportation. Recessed control switches and protected drive couplings minimise the risk of accidental damage. You can quickly deploy our pumps in various settings, from construction sites to industrial facilities.

With variable speed motors for adjustable flow rates, Flux diesel pumps deliver precise, controlled fuel dispensing. This helps minimise waste, spills and, when used with a flowmeter, provides accurate volumetric filling, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.

Flux pumps feature powerful overload protected motors and durable ETFE impellers, capable of handling high-flow or high-pressure applications with ease. This makes them perfect for transferring diesel fuel in bulk, or across longer distances. All Flux motors are suitable for continuous operation.

Designed for heavy-duty use, the Flux diesel barrel pump range is built to provide consistent, reliable performance over the long term. Easy to service and with a wide range of spare parts available, they provide the lowest whole-life cost of any comparable drum pump. Flux ensures you get the most out of your investment.

Applications for diesel transfer

Flux manufactures the diesel barrel pump for the safe and efficient transfer of all types of diesel fuels. Below is an in-depth look at the different types of diesel fuels, their production methods, and the industries that rely on them:

Petroleum diesel, derived from crude oil, dominates as the most widely used form of diesel fuel. Petroleum diesel is a non-synthetic fuel that powers thousands of engines globally. Large-capacity vehicles, such as freight trucks, buses, trains, generators and industrial machinery typically consume this type of diesel. This fuel delivers superior burn efficiency and demonstrates exceptional durability. This is why diesel engines can be relied on for heavy-duty vehicles and construction equipment. Flux diesel barrel pumps ensure that operations such as re-fuelling equipment on construction sites run smoothly and safely.

Producers create synthetic diesel by gasifying various carbon-based raw materials, including natural gas, coal, and biomass. They then convert the resulting gas into liquid using the Fischer-Tropsch process. This method results in a high-quality, emissions friendly fuel with significantly reduced sulphur content. More industries are choosing choose synthetic diesel as an alternative to petroleum diesel, especially for applications where environmental concerns are a priority. Flux pumps are ideal for transferring synthetic diesel, offering precise and contamination-free fuelling for both the industrial and transportation sectors.

Biodiesel is a renewable, green alternative to traditional diesel, produced by transesterifying vegetable oils (such as soybean, canola, or corn oil) or animal fats with alcohol. This process results in fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which can be used either as a pure fuel (B100) or more commonly, mixed with petroleum diesel (BXX, where XX is the percentage of biodiesel). Running engines on pure B100 can cause corrosion or fuel blockages, depending on vegetable oil quality and processing efficiency. You can mix biodiesel with heating oil to fire boilers and generate heat for domestic and commercial properties. Additionally, you can use it to fuel electricity generators. Flux designs our diesel drum pumps to transfer biodiesel safely and efficiently.

Producers create HDRD, another vegetable oil-based petroleum diesel alternative, by hydrogenating triglycerides in plant oils instead of producing esters, as in biodiesel. This results in a cleaner-burning fuel that exhibits excellent oxidation stability and improved low-temperature operability. HDRD also produces fewer deposits in fuel injectors, making it an attractive option for those looking to reduce maintenance costs and extend engine life. Many industries, such as aviation, rail, HVAC, marine, agriculture, and construction, now use HDRD. Flux pumps handle HDRD with the same precision and reliability, ensuring that fuelling and transfer processes are efficient and free from contamination.

Dimethyl Ether (DME) is a synthetic diesel fuel that works in specific compression-ignition engines. Unlike traditional diesel fuels, DME is a colourless gas at standard atmospheric pressure, which is liquefied at higher pressures. DME is growing in popularity due to its ability to enable combustion with minimal soot and nitrogen oxide emissions, offering a clean alternative for certain heavy-duty applications. From agriculture to aerospace, Flux can provide safe, high-performance fuel transfer barrel pumps that comply with industry standards.

Can I use a drum pump for diesel in a steel drum?

Yes, you can certainly use a diesel barrel pump in a steel drum. Steel drums are widely used to store diesel, and we design our pumps to safely and efficiently transfer fuel from these containers. However, it's important to ensure the pump and drum are compatible in terms of length and diameter. 205 litre steel drums require a 1000 mm long pump. 500 and 700 mm long pumps with lower centre of gravity are available for smaller containers. Most steel drums have a 2” BSP threaded bunghole, through which the pump is inserted. Check the size of your container opening to ensure the pump will fit.

How can a drum pump help refuel agricultural vehicles efficiently?

The FLUX F 430 drum pump with mechanical seal is ideal for refuelling agricultural vehicles from IBCs or drums. These aluminium pumps are perfect for transferring diesel, biodiesel and vegetable oil. By vertically inserting the pump into the top of the container, the operator can easily pump fuel into the vehicle. A hand nozzle and optional FMC flowmeter ensure the correct amount is delivered, while you can specify the FEM 4070 motor for either 240 V mains or 110 V industrial power supply. When power is unavailable, the CombiFlux FP 314 pump with battery motor provides a cordless, maintenance-free option for smaller refuelling tasks.

How long will a diesel drum pump last?

When selecting a diesel barrel pump, durability and reliability are top priorities. Select pumps with high strength pump tubes constructed from quality grades of aluminium or stainless steel. Avoid low cost hybrid pump tubes that use plastic components.

Pumps with ETFE impellers last longer than lower cost alternatives. But the key to long drum pump life is driveshaft thickness and driveshaft support. Vibrations kill drum pumps! Look for fully serviceable pumps with 6 mm diameter driveshafts, 5 x large diameter heavy-duty bearings and robust bearing housing. And don’t forget the drive motor – choose a serviceable, heavy-duty S1 rated motor suitable for continuous running. Flux Pumps have you covered – our fully serviceable designs will keep you pumping for 20+ years of active service.

How can a drum pump improve the refuelling process for lorries?

Here’s an example: Using the FLUX F/FP 430 S Ex drum pump for refuelling lorries from a 2000 L diesel tank reduced the risks of heat exposure and eliminated manual handling concerns. This portable pump (available with immersion depths up to 3000 mm) is positioned directly inside the tank. It is also easy to disassemble for cleaning without special tools.

Before using a drum pump, operators manually lifted 20 L canisters to refuel, which led to spills and the risk of injury. The drum pump with 110 V electric motor, 3 m discharge hose and hand-operated dispense nozzle improves safety by reducing the risk of accidents and eliminating physical impact on employees. Simply turn the motor on and open the dispense nozzle by pulling the hand-operated trigger to dispense the required amount of fuel.

How can a drum pump be used for vehicle refuelling with different fuels in an automotive testing environment?

The FLUX F 425 Ex drum pump is perfect for refuelling vehicles with different special fuel grades. The F 425 is designed to remove 99.9% of the contents of a barrel or IBC, leaving minimal residue and reducing waste disposal costs. The pump can be equipped with the FMC 100 flow meter and FLUXTRONIC® batch controller for precise fuel dispensing. The operator sets the desired fuel quantity, and the pump shuts off automatically when it reaches the target volume, making the process efficient and safe. The manually operated non-return valve in the F 425 pump prevents backflow. This eliminates the risk of spillage when transferring the pump to a new barrel.

Get in touch