Collaborative Project Support for a New Sustainable Refinery
30 April 2026
Read how we provided collaborative project support and complex, large-scale pumping solutions for a new precious metals refinery in the UK.
The introduction of a solids-handling magnetically driven centrifugal pump is a very exciting innovation for the chemical process pump industry.
We talked to Mario Monza from our global manufacturing facility in Italy, who explained how one customer’s problem led to this innovative new design.
A few years ago, a long-standing CDR customer brought us a challenge: to create a magnetic drive pump able to withstand the presence of solids, suitable for heavy-duty processes, safe and reliable enough to avoid clogging or breakages typical of centrifugal pumps with mechanical seals, and minimise downtime.
From this brief, CDR developed an innovative magnetic drive pump that can handle fluids with a certain content of suspended solids. Developed in a short timeframe with on-site testing, the mag drive pump achieved outstanding results in less than a year: no emissions and no production stops, without any mechanical seals or external flushing: a real revolution!
Until now, alternative solutions used an external filter installed on the pump outlet. These filters prevented solid particles from reaching the internal bearings and bushings, helping to protect critical components. However, they required regular maintenance and became easily blocked, increasing downtime and reducing process efficiency.
Before introducing this revolutionary solids-handling pump series, CDR proposed a compromise – installing a double mechanical seal on the UCL series, combined with an external flushing barrel. This proved a reliable solution, with zero emissions during the fluid transfer.
However, this solution still relied on the integrity of the mechanical seal. If is failed, the barrier fluid could contaminate the processed liquid rendering the entire batch unusable. This could results in costly product loss and unplanned downtime.
With the new solids-handling pump, CDR has completely addressed the critical issues mentioned above. The main operating principle of the new pump is to facilitate the free circulation of suspended solids. All internal passages between rotating and static parts have been designed so that solid particles do not block the recirculating flow.
An innovative open impeller design guarantees the circulation of liquid without any clogging, with its unique shape drastically reducing the axial thrusts normally associated with closed impellers. It is the first time that an impeller of this type has been installed on a magnetic drive pump. On the PFA-lined XTN pump, the shaft and impeller are manufactured from one piece of steel and lined with PFA, without any welding point or gaskets – reducing potential failure points and minimising axial thrust.
New bushes have been also specifically engineered designed with generous canals to facilitate the free circulation of solids. Manufactured from pure silicon carbide, they provide excellent mechanical and chemical resistance. The diamond-like-carbon surface treatment also guarantees excellent resistance against dry running, by reducing up to 90% the friction generated between rotating and static bushings.
Two models of this revolutionary new magnetic drive pump have been realised with these innovative solutions – a PFA-lined model (the XTN) and a Stainless Steel 316 model (the XTS) – to ensure safe and reliable performance in the case of liquids with suspended solids.
A real revolution for magnetic drive pumps, now realised by CDR.
Read more about the benefits and advantages of the solids-handling pump>>
Mario Monza, Export Sales Manager, CDR Pompe s.r.l
Read how we provided collaborative project support and complex, large-scale pumping solutions for a new precious metals refinery in the UK.
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