Chemical Pumps

Chemical pumps transfer acids, alkalis, AdBlue (DEF), oils and other fluids that a standard metal pump can't handle safely — the wrong wetted material dissolves, corrodes or swells, which means fluid contamination, pump failure or a spill. AIMS Industrial stocks hand-operated and air-operated (pneumatic) drum pumps built in polyethylene, polypropylene and stainless steel, covering 20 L to 205 L drums, for chemical transfer, AdBlue dispensing and oil transfer across Australian workshops, depots and plants.

Chemical pump range at a glance

How to choose the right chemical pump

Match the material to the fluid

Every chemical pump has a "wetted" material — the parts that actually touch the fluid — and that material has to suit the chemical, not just the job title on the pump. As a general rule of thumb across the industry:

• Polyethylene (PE): a solid all-rounder for dilute acids, alkalis and general industrial chemicals at ambient temperature. Cost-effective for routine transfer duty.
• Polypropylene (PP): broadly similar chemical resistance to PE with a bit more temperature headroom, which is why it turns up on AdBlue and general chemical pumps. Seal material matters too — Buna (nitrile) seals suit oils and many chemicals but aren't the right choice for every fluid.
• Stainless steel: handles solvents, oils, AdBlue and most chemicals that attack plastics, and stands up to rougher handling than a poly pump. It isn't automatically the safe default, though — some acids attack stainless steel, so don't assume "stainless" means "compatible with everything."

Before you buy, check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the exact chemical, its concentration and its operating temperature against the pump manufacturer's compatibility data — this is the single step that prevents a pump failing in weeks instead of years.

Hand-operated or air-operated?

Most of the range is hand-operated — rotary crank, lever, push-pull or piston-stroke mechanisms that need no power source, work anywhere, and suit occasional to moderate transfer volumes. The air-operated (pneumatic) ratio pumps in the range step up the throughput considerably and are the better fit for regular, higher-volume transfer, or for installations where an electrical motor isn't wanted near flammable or hazardous fluids — since they run on compressed air rather than electricity.

Drum size and flow

Check the pump's tube length and drum-size rating against your actual container — a tube that's too short won't reach the bottom of a 205 L drum, and a rotary or lever pump sized for a 20 L drum won't deliver useful flow on a full 205 L drum. If you're moving product out of an IBC rather than a drum, you'll generally need a standalone transfer pump with a flooded suction rather than a drum pump — a different category to the drum-mounted pumps in this range.

Common applications

AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) dispensing is one of the biggest uses in this range — several of our stainless steel and polypropylene drum pumps are purpose-built for it. Beyond AdBlue, the range covers general chemical dosing and decanting from 20–205 L drums, and oil transfer via the air-operated ratio pumps, wherever tipping or manually decanting a drum isn't practical or safe.

Safety considerations

• Check compatibility before first use: confirm the pump's wetted materials against the chemical's SDS every time you put a pump into new service — not just once when it's purchased.
• Wear the right PPE: gloves, eye protection and, where vapours are a concern, respiratory protection matched to the specific chemical — see our chemical-resistant gloves, safety & PPE and respiratory protection ranges.
• Have spill containment on hand: bunding or spill kits reduce the consequences of a coupling failure, a dropped drum or an overfilled container — see spill control & containment.
• Don't run a pump dry or leave it standing in fluid: flush with a compatible fluid at the end of a shift and store the suction end clear of the drum to reduce seal wear and crystalline build-up.

Brands stocked at AIMS Industrial

Alemlube makes up the bulk of the range — rotary, lever, push-pull and piston-stroke drum pumps in polyethylene, polypropylene and stainless steel, plus an air-operated ratio pump for oil transfer. Lubemate supplies hand-operated rotary and stainless steel (including rotary vane) drum pumps for chemical and AdBlue duty. Alemite supplies air-operated stainless steel ratio pumps for higher-throughput transfer. Samoa supplies a stainless steel bi-lobe rotary drum pump for AdBlue and chemical service.

Companion ranges

• AdBlue — the full range of AdBlue equipment, tanks and accessories
• Diaphragm pumps — for viscous, solids-laden or intermittent-duty transfer
• Pumps & fluid handling — the full AIMS pump category
• Oil equipment and grease equipment — for lubricant transfer and dispensing
• Spill control & containment — bunding and spill response
• Chemical-resistant gloves, safety & PPE and respiratory protection — for the handling side of the job

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a chemical drum pump and a chemical transfer pump?

A drum pump sits inside a drum via the bung opening, with the motor or hand mechanism on top and the tube reaching down into the fluid. A transfer pump is a standalone unit that draws from any source through a separate suction hose. The AIMS chemical pump range is drum-pump based, suited to dispensing and dosing directly from 20–205 L drums.

What pump do I need for AdBlue (DEF)?

AdBlue is a mild, corrosive-adjacent fluid that needs pump materials rated for it — polypropylene and stainless steel are the common choices, which is why several pumps in this range are built and marketed specifically for AdBlue duty. Check the individual product listing to confirm AdBlue compatibility before ordering.

Should I choose polyethylene, polypropylene or stainless steel?

It depends on the chemical, its concentration and its temperature — there's no single "best" material. Polyethylene and polypropylene suit a broad range of dilute acids, alkalis and general chemicals; stainless steel suits oils, solvents, AdBlue and many chemicals that attack plastics, but not every acid. Always check the SDS and the manufacturer's compatibility data for your specific fluid.

Hand-operated or air-operated — which is right for me?

Hand-operated pumps (rotary, lever, push-pull, piston) need no power source and suit occasional to moderate transfer. Air-operated (pneumatic) ratio pumps suit regular, higher-volume transfer and are useful where you'd rather not run an electrical motor near flammable or hazardous fluids, since they're driven by compressed air.

What's the difference between rotary, lever, push-pull and piston-stroke pumps?

Rotary pumps use a hand crank to turn an impeller or vane and give continuous flow while cranking. Lever pumps use an up-down handle stroke. Push-pull pumps use a plunger you push and pull by hand. Piston-stroke pumps dispense a fixed, precise volume per stroke — useful for controlled dosing rather than bulk transfer.

Can I use a stainless steel pump for acids?

Sometimes, but not always — stainless steel resists many chemicals but certain acids attack it. Never assume "stainless" is a safe default for an acid you haven't checked. Confirm the specific acid, concentration and temperature against the pump manufacturer's compatibility chart before use.

What drum sizes do these pumps fit?

The range covers 20 L pails through to 60 L and 205 L (44-gallon) drums, depending on the model — check the tube length and drum-size rating on the individual product page against your container.

Why did my pump's seal or impeller fail early?

Usually a compatibility gap — either the fluid contains a trace chemistry (a cleaning solvent, an oil film in a re-used drum) that the pump material isn't rated for, or the operating temperature exceeded the pump's rating. Re-check the actual fluid against the SDS, not just the labelled product name.

What PPE should I wear when transferring chemicals?

Gloves and eye protection matched to the specific chemical as a minimum, with respiratory protection added where the fluid gives off vapours or fumes. The right PPE is chemical-specific — check the SDS rather than assuming general-purpose gloves or glasses are enough.

Do I need spill containment when decanting chemicals?

It's good practice wherever a coupling failure, a dropped container or an overfill could release fluid — bunding or a spill kit close at hand limits the consequences and the cleanup.

Can these pumps handle oil as well as chemicals?

Yes — several models in this range, particularly the air-operated ratio pumps, are used for oil transfer as well as chemical duty. Check the individual product listing for the fluids it's rated for.

How do I know if a chemical pump is compatible with my fluid?

Check the fluid's SDS for its chemical family, concentration and safe handling temperature, then compare that against the pump manufacturer's material compatibility data for the wetted parts — body, seals and any internal valving. If you're not sure, contact our team with the chemical name and concentration and we'll help you match it to the right pump.