DEBEM - Chemical pump (MB)

The DEBEM MB pump is a horizontal centrifugal pump made from thermoplastic polymer, manufactured by DEBEM Srl (Busto Arsizio, Italy). The hydraulic components are made from glass-filled polypropylene or carbon-filled PVDF.

The open impeller allows even heavily contaminated liquids to be pumped, with a visible viscosity of up to 500 cps at 20 °C and containing fine solid particles in suspension. The series comprises ten sizes: from the MB 80 at 6 m³/h to the MB 180 at 75 m³/h at a head of 38 m.

Unlike the DM and KM series from the same manufacturer, the MB series features a mechanical shaft seal — which is why it is designed for dirty environments rather than hermetically sealed processes.

DEBEM MB pump: technical specifications for ten models

Common specifications for the entire series: medium viscosity — up to 500 cps at 20 °C; temperature range: 0 to +70 °C for the PP version, −10 to +100 °C for the PVDF version; O-ring materials: EPDM or VITON®; flange kit — to DIN, ANSI on request; NPT connection — on request.

The motors are supplied in the B3+B5 configuration with a speed of 2,900 rpm, an IP55 protection rating, and an ambient temperature range of −30 to +45 °C. Up to 4 kW — three-phase 230/400 V; from 5.5 kW — 400/690 V, 50/60 Hz. ATEX-certified motors are available on request for the entire series. Impellers in special designs tailored to specific operating environments are manufactured to order.

The flow rate and head values are given for a pump submerged in water at 20 °C with an open outlet, and vary depending on the material of construction. The head has been converted to bar for water.

Pump weight by model

The weight is specified for the pump without the electric motor. The motor housing may be made of aluminium or cast iron; therefore, the total weight of the unit depends on the motor variant.

Open impeller: dirty media and solid particles

An open impeller has no cover plate, so there is a free passage between the blades and the casing. Suspended particles pass through this channel, whereas a closed impeller would block them. This is the main design difference between the MB series and the reason why it is used in applications where a closed pump would become clogged.

The maximum viscosity is 500 cps at 20 °C, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of the DM and KM series, where the limit is 150 cps. The maximum particle size depends on the model and ranges from 2 to 12 mm. This is not a linear relationship: the MB 140 allows particles up to 12 mm through, whilst the significantly more efficient MB 150 allows only up to 2 mm, as it has a different impeller geometry. Therefore, the presence of solid inclusions is checked against the specific model, rather than the throughput.

Two types of shaft seal

The MB series is fitted with one of two seals, and the choice depends on the composition of the medium:

Bellows-type mechanical seal new generation with a self-locking system. The spring is made of AISI 304 stainless steel; the friction pair consists of silicon carbide and ceramic, or silicon carbide and silicon carbide. The second combination is used for abrasive media, where the ceramic ring wears out quickly.

Cuff seal made from VITON or EPDM. It is simpler and cheaper, is used in less demanding environments and is easier to replace.

Both seals are consumable parts: they wear out due to friction and need to be replaced periodically. If any leakage of the fluid to the outside is strictly prohibited, the MB series is not suitable — for such applications, pumps with a magnetic coupling are used, as these are designed without a shaft seal.

Mesh filter baskets made of PP or PVDF are supplied as accessories for this series. In dirty environments, they are fitted on the suction side to limit the size of the particles reaching the impeller.

DEBEM MB pump in PP and PVDF versions

Glass-filled polypropylene — standard version. The filler enhances the mechanical strength of the housing. Temperature range: 0 to +70 °C.

Carbon-filled PVDF withstands temperatures ranging from −10 to +100 °C and is more resistant to oxidative environments, solvents and concentrated acids. There is a noticeable difference in weight between the variants — up to 2.9 kg for larger sizes.

The material of the O-rings (EPDM or VITON®) is selected individually and also depends on the medium. The chemical compatibility of the housing, impeller, shaft seal and O-rings is checked against the composition of the medium prior to ordering, as it is not possible to replace wetted parts after delivery.

For which environments and sectors is the MB series designed?

DEBEM categorises the MB series into four areas of application: the automotive industry, water and sludge treatment, the chemical industry, and electroplating and electronics manufacturing.

Typical applications include the transfer of contaminated process solutions, rinse and pickling water, sludge after settling, and electroplating electrolytes containing impurities. In other words, where the medium is chemically aggressive and simultaneously contains particulate matter. Selection for a specific production process is described in sector-specific solutions, a full list of equipment can be found in the sections industrial pumps and centrifugal pumps.

DEBEM MB pump: selection and ordering

Seven pieces of data are required for the calculation: flow rate in m³/h, required head in metres, name or composition of the fluid, its temperature, viscosity in cps, presence and maximum size of solid particles, and connection type (G or NPT thread, or DIN/ANSI flange). Please specify separately whether the area is potentially explosive — the motor design depends on this.

The particle size is not a secondary parameter here: it determines the model even when several sizes cover the flow rate and head. The type of shaft seal is selected based on the abrasiveness of the medium.

Steiner Ukraine supplies DEBEM equipment, together with design calculations, a complete set of components and spare parts — the scope is described in the section services. Related entries — in the section pumps and systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many models are there in the DEBEM MB series?
Ten: MB 80, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 155, 160 and 180. Flow rate: 6 to 75 m³/h; head: 7.5 to 38 m.

What viscosity can the DEBEM MB pump handle?
Up to 500 cps at 20 °C. This is three times higher than the DM and KM series from the same manufacturer, where the limit is 150 cps.

Does the pump allow solid particles to pass through?
Yes. The maximum size depends on the model: from 2 mm for the MB 110 and MB 150 to 12 mm for the MB 140. The size is specified for each individual model, not based on flow rate.

Which shaft seal is better?
Bellows-type mechanical seal with a silicon carbide + silicon carbide friction pair — for abrasive media. Silicon carbide + ceramic — for non-abrasive media. Sleeve-type with VITON or EPDM — simpler and cheaper, for less demanding media.

What is the maximum ambient temperature?
+70 °C for the polypropylene version and +100 °C for the PVDF version. The lower limit is 0 °C for PP and −10 °C for PVDF.

Can a pump be installed in a potentially explosive atmosphere?
Yes. ATEX motors are available to order for all sizes in the series. The zone class is to be specified when ordering.

How much does a DEBEM MB pump cost?
The price depends on the size, the material of the hydraulic components, the type of shaft seal, the motor power and the connection type. PVDF versions are more expensive than polypropylene ones, whilst silicon carbide friction pairs are more expensive than ceramic ones. Please provide the flow rate, head, composition, temperature, viscosity of the medium and size of any solid particles — we will prepare a quotation.