The ASP Series of internal gear pumps has added two new pumps, the ASP1 and ASP2 (photo), which can handle abrasive media. When pumping asphalt, bitumen and other similar abrasives that solidify at ambient temperatures, pumps have traditionally been sealed with packing that must continually leak to stay lubricated. The new ASP pumps are supplied with this company’s O-Pro cartridge seal, which uses O-rings in combination with a lubricating grease. This means that the seal does not need periodic repacking or re-tensioning of the seal gland, which eliminates leaks and prevents loss of product and the associated clean-up costs. The pumps are designed to melt ambient-temperature solids to a liquid state prior to pump startup by using integral jacketing for steam or hot oil. — Michael Smith Engineers, Ltd., Woking, U.K.
Use these gear pumps with asphalt and bitumen
| By Mary Page Bailey and Gerald Ondrey