TLDR
- In petrochemical applications, the choice of pump depends on the actual fluid, temperature, sealing system, materials and the ATEX classification of the installation area.
- They magnetic drive pumps eliminate dynamic wear and are indicated for toxic, dangerous and flammable liquids when zero emissions are desired.
- The UTS EVO operates continuously H24 at -140 to +300 °C, up to 300 m³/h and 100 m of total head.
- AISI 316 steel covers most petrochemical products; when it is not compatible, we switch lined pumps to PFA, PVDF, ETFE or PP.
- CDR Pompe offers ATEX 2014/34/EU compliance for Zones 1 and 2 on request, predictive maintenance and Next Day Delivery within 3-5 working days.
Index
Pumps for the petrochemical industry must handle hydrocarbons, solvents and aggressive or flammable chemicals without leaks, often in continuous service and in potentially explosive atmospheres. The choice depends on the fluid, the temperature, the sealing system and the materials. Since 1950 CDR Pompe has designed and manufactured magnetic drive and mechanical seal centrifugal pumps, in AISI 316 stainless steel or lined with PFA, PVDF and PP, used in petrochemical processes and refineries.
What does the petrochemical industry need from a pump?
The petrochemical industry produces intermediates derived mainly from methane or from the hydrocarbons obtained by distilling crude oil. Typical processes include the synthesis of nitric acid, sulphuric acid, methanol, urea and styrene, and the production of aromatics such as benzene, toluene and xylenes, of nitriles and of halogenated hydrocarbons. For the pump, this means:
- flammable, toxic or corrosive fluids: a leak is a risk to operators, the plant and the environment;
- Potentially explosive atmospheres: where flammable gases or vapours are present, equipment must be ATEX-compliant for the zone in which it is installed;
- continuous service and high temperatures: many lines run 24/7, including temperature control circuits and thermal oil transfer;
- variable chemical compatibility: concentration, temperature and contact time change the way the fluid behaves towards the materials.
A pump selected without starting from the actual fluid can suffer corrosion, leaks and unplanned downtime. For refining processes, in which crude oil is turned into LPG, petrol, kerosene and gas oils by distillation and cracking, CDR recommends the UTS, UTN and UCL series: details on the Refinerypage. Sector applications are on the page Petrochemical processes.
Magnetic drive or mechanical seal: which should you choose?
A magnetic drive pump transmits the motion of the motor to the impeller through a magnetic coupling, with no dynamic seal: the pump casing is sealed and the fluid cannot escape. It is the recommended choice for toxic, hazardous and flammable liquids when the goal is zero emissions. In CDR pumps the magnets can be neodymium-iron-boron or samarium-cobalt, depending on the temperature of the liquid.
A mechanical seal pump uses a single or double seal on the shaft. CDR offers it for corrosive and hazardous liquids, including slightly contaminated ones, with the UCL and CCL lined series.
The series CDR Pompe recommends for petrochemical and refinery service:
| Series | Technology | Wetted parts | Fluid temperature | Max flow rate / head (2,900 rpm) | Use recommended by CDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTS EVO | Magnetic drive, bare shaft (UTS-B EVO close-coupled) | AISI 316 stainless steel (1.4408) | –140 / +300 °C (UTS-B EVO –100 / +250 °C) | 300 m³/h · 100 m | Continuous 24/7 service, organic solvents, thermal oils, refined products |
| ETS | magnetic drive | Stainless steel (1.4408) | –40 / +180 °C | 45 m³/h · 42 m | Less demanding or intermittent duties; clean toxic, hazardous and flammable liquids |
| XTS-B | Magnetic drive, open impeller | Stainless steel (1.4408), diamond-coated SSiC bushings | –40 / +180 °C | 70 m³/h · 65 m | Corrosive or hazardous liquids with solids; ATEX Zone 1 inside and outside |
| UTN (UTN-L, UTN-BL) | Magnetic drive, lined | PFA, PVDF, PP | PFA –50 / +160 °C · PVDF –30 / +100 °C · PP –10 / +70 °C | 150 m³/h · 60 m | When AISI 316 is not compatible with the fluid; aggressive environments |
| DTN ISO / DTN ASME | Magnetic drive, lined, dynamic shaft | ETFE | –20 / +120 °C (ISO) · –30 / +120 °C (ASME) | 115 m³/h · 115 m (ISO) · 108 m³/h · 105 m (ASME) | New range that will replace the UTN; base and fine chemicals, petrochemical processes |
| UCL | Single or double mechanical seal, lined, closed or open impeller | PFA, PVDF, PP (minimum lining thickness 4-5 mm) | PFA –50 / +140 °C · PVDF –30 / +100 °C · PP –10 / +70 °C | 250 m³/h · 75 m | Corrosive and hazardous liquids, including slightly contaminated ones |
| CCL | Single or double mechanical seal, lined, closed or open impeller | PP | –10 / +70 °C | 250 m³/h · 75 m | Duties with PP-compatible fluids |
Source: CDR data sheets and sector pages. Maximum pressure at 20 °C: PN 16 (ETS PN 10). PN 16 and ANSI 150 flanges; special versions on request. UTN: up to +160 °C in the PFA version. UCL and CCL: closed or open impeller.
Which materials resist hydrocarbons and solvents?
The material is chosen on three variables: chemical compatibility with the fluid, operating temperature and operating time.
| Material | When to use it in petrochemicals (CDR guidance) | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| AISI 316 stainless steel | Compatible with most petrochemical products; ideal for solvents and hydrocarbons, even at high temperatures | Strong acids and highly corrosive solutions |
| PFA (lined) | Maximum chemical resistance, highly reactive fluids | Higher investment |
| PVDF / ETFE (lined) | Strong acids and concentrated bases | Narrower temperature range than PFA |
| PP (lined) | Dilute acids and non-abrasive fluids at moderate temperatures | Aggressive solvents |
When AISI 316 is not compatible with the fluid, CDR switches to lined pumps: the lining forms a continuous barrier between the liquid and the metal parts. A critical case in petrochemicals is hydrofluoric acid, where the choice of material is non-negotiable: find out more in material compatibility of CDR pumps. Reference guides: centrifugal pump materials · steel or lined pumps.
How do you work safely in ATEX zones?
ATEX (from the French ATmosphères EXplosibles) refers to areas where flammable gases, vapours, mists or dusts can form an explosive atmosphere with air. Zones are classified by the frequency and duration of the hazard: Zone 0 and 20 (continuous presence), Zone 1 and 21 (occasional), Zone 2 and 22 (unlikely and short-lived). Directive 2014/34/EU governs the design and certification of equipment; Directive 1999/92/EC covers the safety of workers.
Magnetic drive pumps eliminate the dynamic seal, the most vulnerable point of conventional pumps, and reduce the likelihood of leaks and friction. On request, CDR Pompe offers ATEX 2014/34/EU compliance for Zone 1 and Zone 2 on its main magnetic drive series (UTS, XTS, ETS) and on its centrifugal pumps. Find out more: magnetic drive pumps in ATEX zones · ATEX pumps.
How do you maintain performance with hot fluids, solids or tanker loading and unloading?
- High temperature: the UTS EVO is designed for continuous service up to +300 °C, with a heat-dissipation flange between the lantern and the motor and an optional heating jacket. See high-temperature pumps and diathermic oil pump.
- Fluids with solids: the X Series (XTS-B) has an open impeller and wide flushing channels that keep the bushings and the containment shell cool; for high solids concentrations, sizing is defined with the CDR Technical Office. See pumps for fluids with solids [conditional link: the EN page does not exist yet (404 on 23/10/2026). Activate only after the IT article 6a6a and its EN version are published; otherwise remove the link and keep the plain text].
- Dry running: in tanker loading and unloading, including in the oil sector, and with poorly lubricating fluids such as solvents, diamond-coated SSiC bushings increase the safety margin. Diamond-coated silicon carbide (SSiC) is also CDR's choice for abrasive fluids. See tanker loading and unloading.
- Viscosity: CDR data sheets give a range of 0.5–180 cSt for UTS EVO, ETS, XTS-B, UCL and CCL, and 0.5–150 cSt for UTN and DTN.
How do you choose a pump for the petrochemical sector?
Before requesting a quotation, gather the following data:
- Fluid: exact composition, concentration, temperature, viscosity, presence of solids.
- Performance: required flow rate and head, continuous (24/7) or intermittent duty.
- Sealing: magnetic drive for zero emissions; single or double mechanical seal for slightly contaminated liquids.
- Materials: AISI 316 or lining (PFA, PVDF, ETFE, PP), depending on chemical compatibility.
- Installation area: ATEX classification and zone.
- Design standards: CDR pumps are designed to EN 22858 / ISO 2858, ISO 15783 (magnetic drive), ISO 5199 (mechanical seal) and ASME B73.3 (DTN ASME). PN 16 and ANSI 150 flanges; special versions on request. Any other specification requirements must be checked with the CDR Technical Office.
- Support: pre-sales analysis, testing, spare parts availability and start-up assistance.
Specifications are defined with the CDR Technical Office from the kick-off meetingonwards. When the catalogue is not enough, CDR designs custom pumps.
How do you ensure long-term reliability and maintenance?
- Scheduled and predictive maintenance: CDR offers a scheduled maintenance service as well as predictive maintenance and analysis, with customised programmes: monitoring micro-vibrations, pressure variations and temperature anomalies makes it possible to act before they turn into failures. See predictive maintenance and typical centrifugal pump failures.
- Critical spare parts in stock: impellers, bearings, seals, gaskets and flanges. See Spare parts warehouse.
- Correct start-up: theon-site start-up assistance checks alignment and operating parameters, especially on pumps with an external bearing bracket.
- Total cost: less downtime and fewer unscheduled interventions reduce the TCO of a centrifugal pump.
Why choose CDR Pompe for the petrochemical industry?
CDR Pompe S.r.l. has designed and manufactured centrifugal pumps in Bollate (Milan) since 1950, with an ISO 9001 quality system. For the petrochemical industry it offers:
- magnetic drive series in steel and lined, and lined mechanical seal series, with ATEX Zone 1 and 2 compliance on request;
- pre-sales analysis with its own engineers and the design of customised solutions;
- water testing of every pump with a test report, and Attended tests on request;
- Emergency Stock within 3-5 business days for bare shaft pumps, close-coupled pumps complete with motor and strategic spare parts;
- repairs in its in-house workshop, checks by the Testing Department and on-site support at start-up;
- a network of distributors with which CDR works to offer the product best suited to each duty.
Send us the fluid, concentration, temperature, flow rate, head and ATEX classification of the area: the CDR Pompe technical team will recommend the most suitable series and materials. → Request a technical consultation · Petrochemical processes · Services and Support
CDR Pompe S.r.l. — since 1950 · ISO 9001 — Via Raffaello Sanzio 57, 20021 Bollate (MI), Italy — +39 02 9901941 — info@cdrpompe.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pumps are best suited for the petrochemical industry for flammable and toxic fluids?
Centrifugal pumps magnetic drive are the recommended choice for flammable, toxic or dangerous liquids because they have no dynamic seal and pump casing are sealed. For corrosive liquids even slightly contaminated liquids, mechanical seal pumps single or double pumps are used. The petrochemical series UTS, UTN, UCL and CCL are CDR Pompe indicated for this purpose.
magnetic drive pumps Are they safe in ATEX areas with flammable fluids?
Yes, if selected and configured for fluid and installation area. The magnetic joint eliminates dynamic sealing, the most vulnerable point of traditional pumps, and reduces leaks and friction. It CDR Pompe offers ATEX 2014/34/EU compliance on request for Zone 1 and Zone 2 on the UTS XTS and ETS series.
What certifications and standards must a pump for petrochemical use comply with?
In areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere, the pump must comply with the ATEX 2014/34/EU directive for the installation zone; 1999/92/EC concerns worker safety. The quality system and the project standards of the specifications must also be verified. It CDR Pompe is certified to ISO 9001 and designed according to EN 22858/ISO 2858, ISO 15783, ISO 5199 and ASME B73.3.
How do I choose the material of a centrifugal pump that comes into contact with hydrocarbons and solvents?
We start from the chemical compatibility with the actual fluid, then we consider temperature and operating time. AISI 316 stainless steel is compatible with most petrochemical products, solvents and hydrocarbons, even hot ones. If the fluid attacks it, like hydrofluoric acid, we switch to lined pumps PFA, PVDF, ETFE or PP.
Which pump is required for diathermic oil and high-temperature petrochemical fluids in continuous service?
The UTS EVO CDR Pompe is made magnetic drive of AISI 316 (1.4408) and operates continuously H24 from -140 to +300 °C, up to 300 m³/h and 100 m of total head. It has a heat dissipation flange between the torch and the motor and an optional heating jacket. It is suitable for organic solvents, thermal oils and refined products.
How often should pumps in the petrochemical industry be serviced?
There is no one-size-fits-all range: it depends on the fluid, temperature, operating regime and type of seal. The most effective approach is predictive: it monitors micro-vibrations, pressure and temperature and intervenes before failure occurs. It CDR Pompe offers scheduled maintenance and customized predictive analysis; without mechanical seals magnetic drive pumps, it typically requires fewer interventions.