Pumps for lyes and alkalis (e.g. NaOH, KOH)

Safe handling of alkaline media

Lyes, or alkaline solutions, are aqueous solutions of bases that contain hydroxide ions (OH⁻) and therefore react as bases. The most important examples include caustic soda (NaOH) and caustic potash (KOH), which are used in numerous industrial processes.

Applications include the chemical industry, water treatment, and cleaning, neutralisation and production processes. Due to their highly alkaline properties, lyes can have a corrosive effect on materials and place high demands on material selection, leak-tightness and operational safety.

Industrial chemical plant with distillation towers and pipelines across lush green fields under a blue sky.

Interesting facts about lye and alkalis

Typical operating conditions

  • Typical temperature range: approx. 20 °C to 150 °C (depending on the application)
  • Typical pH value: > 7 to 14
  • The properties of alkaline media are significantly influenced by concentration, temperature and composition.

Our references

Conveying caustic soda in chemical production processes

Caustic soda is used in numerous chemical production plants for neutralisation and pH control. Its conveyance requires a high level of operational safety as well as consistently leak-free operation when handling corrosive media.

Conveying caustic soda in chemical production processes

Application: Lyes and alkalis

Industrial water treatment facility with storage tanks, pipes, and settling basin reflecting golden sunset light.

Requirement

Medium:Natronlauge 50 %
Delivery rate:15 m3/h
Pumping head:32 m
Operating temperature: 20 bis 40 °C
Advantages: Hermetisch dichter Betrieb bei ätzenden Medien, hohe Anlagenverfügbarkeit im Dauerbetrieb, Minimierung von Wartung und Stillständen, Schutz von Personal und Umwelt

Hermetic Solutions

Pump:CNF 65-40-160 N54p-2
Motor:N54p-2
Pump type:CNF 
Ex protection: 3G dc ec IIB Gc
Speciality: Korrosionsbeständige Werkstoffe für alkalische Medien, leckagefreies System ohne Gleitringdichtung, besonders geeignet für kontinuierliche Chemieprozesse

The use of potash liquor in water treatment

Potassium hydroxide solution is used in water treatment plants to neutralise acidic effluent and to adjust the pH level. Precise dosing, a high level of operational safety and reliable continuous operation are crucial.

The use of potash liquor in water treatment

Application: Lyes and alkalis

Aerial view of a large water treatment plant with circular tanks and rectangular filtration basins filled with blue-green water.

Requirement

Medium:Kalilauge 50 %
Delivery rate:30 m3/h 
Pumping head:21 m
Operating temperature: 30 °C 
Advantages: Hohe Betriebssicherheit bei kontinuierlichem Betrieb, lange Standzeiten und geringe Wartung

Hermetic Solutions

Pump:CN 80-50-160 N34L-2 
Motor:N34L-2 
Pump type:V-Line CN
Ex protection: II 2G Ex db eb IIC T4 Gb
Speciality: Modulare Chemienormpumpe

Customisations

Can’t find your application here? 

We’ll work with you to develop a suitable pump solution for your specific process requirements. Thanks to our many years of experience in handling critical media, we can also produce bespoke designs and specialised solutions. 

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Get in touch with our experts

Are you planning to use lye or alkali, or do you have any questions about conveying technology, system design or possible applications? Please contact our team of experts. We’d be happy to advise you.