Industrial Pump Applications Across 6 Major Industries (Part 1) --- Wastewater, Electroplating & PCB

Author: Stella chan

Reading Time: 3--4 min

Introduction

Industrial pumps are used in many production processes, but the required pump type depends on the liquid, operating conditions, and industry. Choosing the right pump improves safety, reduces maintenance, and increases system reliability.

This guide explains the most common pump applications in six major industries.

This is Part 1. We'll cover Wastewater & Air Pollution Control, Electroplating & Surface Finishing, and PCB Manufacturing.

1. Wastewater & Air Pollution Control

Air Scrubber Systems

Scrubber Recirculation

• Recommended pumps: PP or PVDF vertical sump pumps, plastic self-priming pumps
• Application: Circulating acidic or alkaline scrubbing liquid inside packed towers
• Benefits: Excellent corrosion resistance and continuous chemical circulation

Chemical Dosing

• Recommended pump: Metering pump
• Application: Adding alkali, reducing agents, or flocculants
• Benefits: Accurate and stable chemical dosing

Waste Liquid Transfer

• Recommended pump: Fluoroplastic self-priming pump
• Application: Pumping waste liquid or sludge from the bottom of scrubber tanks
• Benefits: Self-priming without manual filling

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater Collection & Lift Stations

• Recommended pump: Submersible sewage pump
• Application: Moving wastewater containing sand, sludge, fibers, or suspended solids

Corrosive Wastewater Transfer

• Recommended pumps: Fluoroplastic magnetic drive pump, fluoroplastic self-priming pump
• Application: Acid, alkali, fluoride-containing wastewater, and heavy metal solutions
• Benefits: Leak-free operation with excellent corrosion resistance

Sludge & High-Solid Waste

• Recommended pump: Air-operated diaphragm pump (AODD)
• Application: Sludge, paint waste, hazardous slurry
• Benefits: Handles solids, dry running capability, explosion-proof operation

Chemical Dosing

• Recommended pump: Metering pump
• Application: PAC, PAM, neutralizers, and other treatment chemicals

Cooling Water & Reclaimed Water

• Recommended pump: Stainless steel centrifugal pump
• Application: Clean water circulation systems

2. Electroplating & Surface Finishing

Electroplating Lines

Chemical Tank Circulation

• Recommended pump: Corrosion-resistant vertical sump pump
• Application: Acid cleaning, alkaline cleaning, passivation tanks
• Benefits: Installed directly inside tanks to save floor space

Nickel, Chrome & Gold Plating

• Recommended pump: PVDF magnetic drive pump
• Application: High-purity plating solution circulation and filtration
• Benefits: Seal-less design prevents contamination and leakage

Tank Transfer

• Recommended pump: PP self-priming pump
• Application: Transferring chemicals between tanks without manual priming

Chemical Replenishment

• Recommended pump: Small metering pump
• Application: Automatic chemical dosing

Painting & Coating

Paint Supply

• Recommended pump: Air-operated diaphragm pump
• Application: Paint, pigment paste, high-viscosity coatings
• Benefits: Explosion-proof and suitable for liquids containing solids

Solvent Recovery

• Recommended pump: PTFE diaphragm pump
• Application: Waste solvent and paint sludge transfer

Pretreatment Tanks

• Recommended pump: Plastic vertical pump
• Application: Acid and alkaline cleaning solution circulation

3. PCB Manufacturing

Chemical Process Lines

Etching, Stripping & Micro-Etching

• Recommended pumps: PVDF magnetic drive pump, corrosion-resistant vertical pump
• Application: Hydrofluoric acid, cupric chloride, and other aggressive chemicals

Waste Chemical Transfer

• Recommended pump: Fluoroplastic self-priming pump
• Application: Developer and stripping solution transfer

Pure Water Circulation

• Recommended pumps: Stainless steel centrifugal pump, small magnetic drive pump
• Benefits: Low metal contamination

Hazardous Waste Slurry

• Recommended pump: Air-operated diaphragm pump
• Application: Copper sludge and etching waste

Automatic Chemical Dosing

• Recommended pump: Metering pump

Air Scrubber Recirculation

• Recommended pump: Corrosion-resistant vertical pump

End of Part 1

From scrubber systems to plating lines and PCB etching, the first three industries all share one thing in common --- handling corrosive or contaminated liquids. In Part 2, we'll move into even higher-purity applications: Semiconductor, Battery & Energy Storage, and Solar (Photovoltaic) manufacturing, where cleanliness and leak-free operation become even more critical.