DEBEM diaphragm and chemical pumps — official representative in Ukraine

DEBEM pumps — industrial pumps manufactured by the Italian company DEBEM Srl (Via Del Bosco 41, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Province of Varese). The company was founded in 1982 by Marco De Bernardi, and its first product was a 1.5 hp plastic centrifugal pump. In 1987, DEBEM was granted its first patent — for the design of a pneumatic distributor — and it is this very design that is still used in its pneumatic diaphragm pumps today. Today, the company has over 40 years’ experience in the field of fluid transfer, holds ATEX, IECEx and ISO 9001 certifications, and has a sales network across Europe, North and Central America, South America, North and South Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. In Ukraine, DEBEM equipment is supplied by Steiner Ukraine.

Which DEBEM pumps can be ordered in Ukraine?

The manufacturer’s product range comprises seven product groups. Steiner Ukraine stocks the entire range.

Debem Hygienic Solutions operates as a separate division — a range of hygienic products for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. A complete list of the industrial pumps supplied by Steiner Ukraine can be found in the following sections industrial pumps and centrifugal pumps.

Boxer and Cubic pneumatic diaphragm pumps

Boxer pumps are positive displacement pumps featuring two diaphragms and a pneumatic drive. DEBEM’s reputation is built on these pumps: the air distributor design, patented in 1987, is still in use today. The series comprises sixteen models with flow rates ranging from 9 to 800 l/min. The plastic versions are made from polypropylene or PVDF, whilst the metal versions are made from aluminium or AISI 316L stainless steel. The series is certified to ATEX and IECEx standards and is designed for liquids with high apparent viscosity, including those containing suspended solids.

The FDA Boxer features the same design, but is constructed entirely from AISI 316 and AISI 316L. Parts in contact with the medium are made from AISI 316, AISI 316L and PTFE. The range comprises nine models with flow rates from 17 to 800 l/min.

Cubic — a compact range designed for installation directly on process equipment where space is limited: the MIDGETBOX (6 l/min) and the CUBIC 15 (17 l/min). The pumps are self-priming, dry-running capable, and certified to ATEX for Zones 1 and 2 and to IECEx.

Equaflux pulsation dampers are installed on the discharge side of a diaphragm pump to smooth out pulsating flow — they are an essential component wherever pulsation puts a strain on the pipework or distorts the readings of flow meters. An FDA-approved version of Equaflux is available for food applications.

DEBEM electric centrifugal pumps: DM, KM, MB and IM

Four series of centrifugal pumps cover two different categories of applications — leak-free, hermetically sealed processes and dirty media containing solids.

DM Series — four standard sizes with a magnetic coupling for precise selection within a range of up to 35 m³/h. The pump has no mechanical shaft seal and no metal parts in contact with the fluid.

KM Series — a single model, the KM 70, designed for heavy-duty applications up to 65 m³/h, developed in collaboration with CDR Pompe.

MB Series — ten standard sizes with an open impeller. It allows solid particles ranging in size from 2 to 12 mm to pass through, depending on the model, and handles viscosities up to 500 cps. Shaft seal: a bellows-type mechanical seal with a silicon carbide friction pair, or a lip seal made of VITON or EPDM.

The IM series comprises vertical centrifugal pumps in twelve sizes, ranging from the IM 80 (6 m³/h) to the IM 200 (170 m³/h), head up to 40 m, speed up to 3,000 rpm, polypropylene or PVDF. This represents the upper limit of the DEBEM centrifugal range in terms of flow rate.

Barrel pumps, mixers and peristaltic pumps

TR barrel pumps consist of a submersible pipe with an open impeller mounted directly on the drive shaft. The design contains no mechanical seals. The electric-drive version is fitted with an 800 W motor running at 10,500 rpm, whilst the pneumatic version delivers up to 70 l/min with adjustable flow rate. The pump operates exclusively in a vertical position and only when submerged in the liquid: with this configuration, any product leakage is collected back into the tank, which is why this series is specifically designed for corrosive liquids.

DEBEM submersible mixers are compact and can be selected regardless of the shape and size of the tank. Peristaltic pumps operate using a roller mechanism: the rollers rotate on a holder parallel to the axis and squeeze the flexible hose. Both types are used in wastewater treatment plants, biogas plants, in the production of liquid feed, in the chemical, food and cosmetics industries, in mining, ceramics, construction and in paper manufacturing.

Debem Hygienic Solutions for the food and pharmaceutical industries

DEBEM’s hygiene division operates separately from its industrial division and covers five sectors: food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and hair care products.

This product range includes the Aisiboxer and Saniboxer series. The company states that these products comply with 3-A and MOCA standards, have FDA approval, and hold ATEX, ISO 9001 and CE certification. All pumps in the range feature a patented operating system and can be cleaned either with or without disassembly, in accordance with CIP, SIP and COP procedures.

This is an important consideration when selecting a pump: DEBEM’s industrial series are not designed for contact with foodstuffs; for such applications, the hygienic range or FDA-compliant versions should be used. Pumps for the food industry: which certifications do DEBEM pumps hold?

DEBEM has obtained four certifications:

The ISO 9001 requirement for each pump is not a mere formality: it means that each unit delivered to the site has its own test report, rather than a batch certificate.

The FDA approval applies to specific product lines — FDA Boxer, FDA Equaflux and the Debem Hygienic Solutions range — rather than the entire product range.

Which sectors are DEBEM pumps designed for?

The manufacturer lists thirteen industrial sectors: the automotive industry; biodiesel production and storage; water and sludge; ceramics, stone, marble and mining; the chemical industry; dyeing and paint production; electroplating and electronics manufacturing; packaging, adhesives, paper and paper mills; oil and gas; printing; mechanical engineering and metallurgy; gold processing; textiles and leather.

On the Ukrainian market, the most common applications are acids, alkalis and electroplating electrolytes in the chemical and electroplating industries, high-viscosity paints and varnishes, sludge and wash water at treatment plants, as well as the pumping out of barrels and IBC containers. Selection for a specific production process is described in sector-specific solutions.

How to select and order DEBEM pumps from Steiner Ukraine

The first decision point when selecting a pump is the issue of leakage. If any leakage of the medium to the outside is strictly prohibited, the DM or KM series with a magnetic coupling – where the shaft seal is omitted from the design – or the pneumatic diaphragm Boxer, where the product chamber is separated by a diaphragm, are the appropriate choices. If the medium contains solid particles or is highly viscous, the MB series with an open impeller or a diaphragm pump is recommended. If you need to pump from a drum, the TR series is the right choice.

The following are required for the calculation: flow rate, required head, composition and temperature of the medium, viscosity, density, presence and size of solid particles, connection type and the presence of an explosive atmosphere. For pneumatic pumps, the following are also required: available pressure and compressed air flow rate.

Steiner Ukraine supplies DEBEM equipment, including design, configuration, commissioning and spare parts — the scope is described in the section services. Related entries — in the section pumps and systems, other featured brands can be found in the section manufacturers.

Frequently Asked Questions about DEBEM Pumps

Who manufactures DEBEM pumps?
DEBEM Srl is an Italian company based in Busto Arsizio, founded in 1982. It has been operating in the field of fluid handling for over 40 years.

Which DEBEM pumps are suitable for acids?
The DM, KM and MB series, available in polypropylene or PVDF – these have no metal parts in contact with the fluid, and PVDF can withstand temperatures of up to +100 °C. For pneumatic actuators – the Boxer in a plastic version.

Does DEBEM supply pumps for potentially explosive atmospheres?
Yes. The company holds ATEX and IECEx certificates. The Boxer and Cubic series are certified for Zones 1 and 2; for the centrifugal series, ATEX-certified motors are supplied to order.

Does DEBEM supply food-grade pumps?
For example, a separate product line from Debem Hygienic Solutions comprises the Aisiboxer and Saniboxer series, which comply with 3-A, MOCA and FDA standards and are suitable for CIP, SIP and COP cleaning. There is also an FDA Boxer model made entirely from AISI 316 and AISI 316L.

Which DEBEM pump should I choose for liquids containing solid particles?
The MB series with an open impeller — it allows particles up to 12 mm to pass through, depending on the size. An alternative is the pneumatic diaphragm Boxer, designed for media containing suspended solids.

Is it possible to order spare parts for DEBEM pumps in Ukraine?
Yes. To make an enquiry, you’ll need the model series, size and serial number from the nameplate.

How much do DEBEM pumps cost?
The price depends on the series, size, material of the wetted parts, drive type and configuration. The price for the same size in polypropylene and in AISI 316 can vary several times over. Please send us the project specifications and we will prepare a quotation.