Acetone

Positive displacement pumps are ideal for transferring acetone due to their ability to handle low viscosity fluids with precision and efficiency. Acetone, a volatile and low-viscosity solvent, requires a pump with consistent and controlled flow and low NPSHr to minimize cavitation and ensure safety during transfer processes.

Unlike centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps are less sensitive to changes in flow conditions, making them reliable and efficient for the precise transfer of acetone across various industrial applications. Additionally, these pumps offer excellent priming capabilities, low NPSHr, handle a wide range of flow rates and provide signficant discharge pressures.

Acetone, C3H6O, is a flammable organic solvent with viscosity of 0.39 cSt and a specific gravity of 0.78. Vapor pressure is 4.4 PSI at 25ᵒC but 54 PSI at 100ᵒC, which must be considered in NPSHa calculations. It has low acute toxicity but can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system at high concentrations, though it is not considered a Volatile Organic Compound by the US EPA. Acetone is compatible with iron, steel and stainless steel, but has poor compatibility with some elastomers, so proper seal selection is critical. Its solvent properties and very low viscosity can result in wear on sliding metal gears and bushings, and can cause swelling in PEEK vanes, so lobe or circumferential piston pumps with non-contacting rotors and bearings external to the liquid are recommended for longest life.

Common Applications:

• Railcar Unloading
• Bulk Transfer
• Blending
• Metering

Viking In the Process

Viking pumps are used in wide variety of different processes in the transfer, blending and metering of acetone both as a solvent and as a chemical intermediate. Solvent applications include transfer and metering in paint, ink and resin manufacturing. Chemical applications include transfer and metering of acetone as a precursor to methyl methacrylate and Bisphenol A.