Why Rotary Gear Pumps for Emulsion Explosives
Emulsion explosives — including ammonium nitrate emulsions, bulk matrix, and sensitized blends — require pumps that can handle viscous, shear-sensitive materials safely and reliably. NAPCO rotary gear pumps are a proven solution for this demanding application because of their simple, robust design.
Unlike progressive cavity pumps, rotary gear pumps have fewer moving parts, no stator wear, and no need for complex alignment during rebuilds. This translates to lower total cost of ownership and less downtime — critical at remote mine sites where every hour of production matters.
Self-Priming
No need for external priming systems — NAPCO pumps draw emulsion directly from tanks, totes, and process vessels.
Bi-Directional
Reverse rotation for loading and unloading operations without re-plumbing. CW/CCW operation from a single pump.
Field-Serviceable
Complete rebuild with a factory-matched repair kit — gears, seals, bearings, and gaskets. No specialized tools or factory return required.
Consistent Flow
Positive displacement design delivers predictable flow rates regardless of viscosity changes in the emulsion.
Stainless Steel Construction — The Global Standard for Emulsions
NAPCO stainless steel pumps are the standard choice for emulsion explosive applications worldwide. The stainless housing resists corrosion from ammonium nitrate and the oxidizer components in emulsion matrices, ensuring long service life even in continuous-duty applications.
Gear options include nitrile rubber (standard, rated to 240°F) for most emulsion applications, and Viton gears for higher-temperature or chemically aggressive formulations. Both materials provide excellent wear resistance against the abrasive particles common in bulk emulsion and matrix blends.
Recommended Pumps for Emulsion Explosive Transfer
PA300S — 3″ Stainless Steel
High-capacity pump for bulk emulsion transfer, matrix loading, and large-volume mine site operations.
| Max Flow | 158 GPM @ 280 RPM |
| Max Pressure | 100 PSI |
| Housing | Stainless Steel |
| Gears | Nitrile or Viton |
| Weight | 173 lbs |
PA200S — 2″ Stainless Steel
Compact pump for smaller-volume emulsion transfer, mobile mixing units (MMUs), and auxiliary pumping applications.
| Max Flow | 69 GPM @ 190 RPM |
| Max Pressure | 100 PSI |
| Housing | Stainless Steel |
| Gears | Nitrile or Viton |
| Weight | 114 lbs |
Explosives & Mining Applications
- —Bulk emulsion transfer — Loading and unloading emulsion explosives between storage tanks, mobile mixing units, and charging equipment.
- —Ammonium nitrate emulsion pumping — Handling the viscous oxidizer-in-oil emulsion matrix used in commercial blasting operations.
- —Mobile mixing unit (MMU) integration — Compact enough for truck-mounted systems while delivering the flow rates required for borehole charging operations.
- —Matrix manufacturing — Continuous-duty pumping during emulsion production, where consistent flow is essential for product quality.
- —Mine site pump-over systems — Transferring bulk emulsion at surface-level storage facilities before distribution to underground or open-pit operations.
Gear Pump vs. Progressive Cavity Pump for Emulsion Explosives
Progressive cavity pumps (PCPs) have traditionally been used for emulsion explosives, but rotary gear pumps offer significant advantages in many applications — particularly in zero-pressure and low-pressure transfer scenarios common in bulk emulsion handling.
| Factor | Rotary Gear Pump | Progressive Cavity Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Moving Parts | Two gears, simple design | Rotor + stator, complex geometry |
| Field Rebuild | Drop-in repair kit, no alignment | Stator replacement, rotor alignment required |
| Self-Priming | Yes — inherent design | Limited — requires flooded suction in many configurations |
| Bi-Directional | Yes — CW/CCW from motor | No — single direction only |
| Dry-Run Tolerance | Better — rubber gears tolerate brief dry conditions | Poor — stator damage from dry running |
| Cost | Lower purchase and rebuild cost | Higher — stators are expensive consumables |
| Best Application | Zero-pressure and low-pressure transfer, loading/unloading | High-pressure pumping to depth, metering |
Trusted by Explosives Manufacturers Worldwide
NAPCO pumps are used in mining and explosives manufacturing operations across North America, South America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. Our global distributor network provides local support, parts availability, and field service in every major mining region.
Every NAPCO pump ships with factory-matched repair kits available for immediate ordering — ensuring that routine maintenance at remote mine sites can be performed quickly by on-site technicians without waiting for factory service.
Related Technical Resources
Pump Selection for Emulsion Explosives
Technical buyer's guide for selecting the right pump for emulsion explosive transfer in mining operations.
Gear Pumps vs. Progressive Cavity Pumps
Side-by-side comparison of rotary gear and PCP technologies for industrial fluid transfer.
Stainless Steel vs. Ductile Iron Pumps
Material selection guide for pump housing — which construction is right for your application.
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