Pumping system for a drum having a bunghole

Abstract

Pumping system (1) for a drum (3) having a bunghole (5) of a defined inner diameter, the suction system (3) comprising: a pump (9), a piping assembly (11) provided with a lance (13) extending according to a main axis (15), the lance (13) being configured to penetrate into the drum (9) via the bunghole (5) and a closing device (17) adapted for closing a suction end of the lance (13), the closing device (17) including a foot valve arranged to be movable in translation according to the main axis (15) between a closed position and a totally open position of the suction end, the closing device (17) further including an actuator (23) and two shafts adapted to link the actuator (23) to the foot valve (21) for moving the foot valve (21), the two shafts being slidably mounted parallel to the main axis (15) within the lance (13) so as to be diametrically opposed with respect to the main axis (15).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a pumping system for a drum having a bunghole, the pumping system having a pump, a piping assembly and a closing device.Prior art

[0002] It is known to use a drum having a bunghole on its upper face for transporting a liquid. Filling and emptying are carried out through the bunghole that can be closed with a dedicated cap.

[0003] For various industrial processes, a precise amount of liquid stored in a drum can be removed by a pumping system to be mixed with other compounds in order to create a final product.

[0004] A difficulty occurs with viscous liquids stored in drums. For example, certain liquid additives used to manufacture lubricant oils cannot be efficiently pumped and dosed from drums.

[0005] A solution is to heat the viscous liquid within the drum to reduce its viscosity. In some cases, this solution is applicable, however even with heating, the pumping temperature can become too high for any existing pumping system on the market.

[0006] In addition to the viscosity issue, there is a pressure drop generated at the suction side of the pump that could generate cavitation. The constraint leading to the pressure drop is the fixed and standard bunghole diameter of the drum that limits the fluid passage available once the extraction pipe has been inserted into the drum.

[0007] Indeed, when liquids with high viscosities are flowing through a restricted passage the flow characteristics quickly lead to cavitation problems that pumps have difficulty in accepting.

[0008] Market research has shown that the future will yield additives, which are more and more viscous. When coupled with the fact that for economic, environmental and operational reasons heating is to be reduced and preferably eliminated, there is a need for a machine able to pump viscous fluids.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve all or some of the disadvantages mentioned above.Summary of the invention

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a pumping system for a drum having a bunghole of a defined inner diameter, the pumping system comprising a suction system adapted for pumping a liquid located within the drum, the suction system comprising: a pump, a piping assembly adapted to be mounted on a suction aperture of the pump, the piping assembly being provided with a lance extending according to a main axis, the lance being configured to penetrate into the drum via the bunghole, a closing device adapted for closing a suction end of the lance, the closing device including a foot valve arranged to be movable in translation according to the main axis between a closed position and a totally open position of the suction end, the closing device further including an actuator and two shafts adapted to link the actuator to the foot valve for moving the foot valve, the two shafts being slidably mounted parallel to the main axis within the lance so as to be diametrically opposed with respect to the main axis.

[0011] The pumping system is capable of pumping a viscous fluid within the drum because the lance is conceived to create as low as possible pressure loss while having a foot valve maneuverable from the inside of the lance.

[0012] Indeed, the foot valve cannot be controlled on an external side of the lance as the external side of the lance is dimensioned to be the largest possible to enter into the bunghole. According to an aspect of the invention, the bunghole is round and the external side is cylindrical.

[0013] On the other side, the parts of the closing device that are internal to the lance are creating a pressure loss and their geometry is important to minimize the pressure loss.

[0014] It has been found that controlling the foot valve with two shafts in opposite diametric positions is advantageous because it enables to have enough robustness and durability while limiting the pressure loss.

[0015] For example, it has been found that the two shafts according to their positions are more efficient to reduce pressure loss than a unique central shaft with a bigger diameter.

[0016] The pumping system is therefore capable of pumping and dosing high viscosity additives from drums. It is designed to optimize the pump suction conditions, to eliminate retention areas and it combines several pieces of equipment and technologies in a compact skid mounted machine.

[0017] As of today, a technique to extract by pumping high viscosity additives from drums is to heat said additives to lower their viscosities. Consequently, drums require a heating device so that the viscosity at the pumping temperature is low enough.

[0018] Here, additive heating is eliminated. It also reduces heating costs, time and environmental impact. Manual liquid handling operations are eliminated. Pumping time is reduced which results to faster cheaper handling of additives.

[0019] The pressure loss within the lance is reduced while having a limited lance external diameter. Indeed, it should fit within a standard bunghole of the drum.

[0020] According to an aspect of the invention, lance presents an internal tubular surface, each shaft being in contact with said internal tubular surface.

[0021] The construction maximizes the internal section of the lance. First, the internal tubular surface is the biggest section possible with regard to the bunghole that is round and the necessary thickness of a wall of the lance.

[0022] Second, as each shaft is distant as much as possible from the main axis, there is a central centered and symmetrical section that is created within the lance. It has been shown that that this geometry reduces pressure loss and that viscous fluids can be pumped easily.

[0023] The lance design has been developed to minimize the pressure drop to the product flow by using internal sidewall fixed, small diameter shafts to operate to foot valve. It has been found that two smaller shafts are more efficient than a bigger unique shaft.

[0024] According to an aspect of the invention, the foot valve is a cap configured to cooperate by contact with the suction end of the lance in closed position and configured to be outside and distant from said suction end in totally open position according to the main axis.

[0025] In other words, the foot valve is translated away from the lance in totally open position by the move of the shafts. In closed position, the suction end is tight and no liquid can be pumped.

[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, the actuator is configured to move the foot valve in a plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the totally open position.

[0027] In any intermediate position, the suction end is not tight which means that more or less liquid can be pumped. A partial opening of the foot valve is used to enable the suction lance to go down as close as possible to the bottom of the drum and pump as much liquid as possible. There can also be an interest to open more or less and to be able to control this opening when regulating a flow rate that has to be pumped.

[0028] In particular, opening more or less the foot valve helps regulating the pressure within the lance and in the liquid being pumped in proximity of the suction end.

[0029] According to an aspect of the invention, the pumping system comprises a flow rate control system for the pump including a pressure sensor mounted in the piping assembly.

[0030] The flow rate control system is configured to maintain the lowest possible pressure to avoid cavitation and maximize the flow rate in association with the pump whose functioning is also controlled by the flow rate control system.

[0031] In addition, the foot valve can more or less open to adjust the measurement of the pressure sensor to a goal value.

[0032] According to an aspect of the invention, the pressure sensor is located in proximity of the suction aperture of the pump. Alternatively, the pressure sensor can be set in another place of the piping assembly. The location can for example be determined empirically and the pump function and opening of the foot valve be adjusted accordingly.

[0033] According to an aspect of the invention, the piping assembly includes an elbow mounted on an end of the lance that is opposed to the suction end, the pumping system including a bracket for supporting the actuator, the elbow presenting two holes for the passage of the shafts that are linked to the actuator.

[0034] The pumping system also includes a gasket so that the holes remain tight. Preferably, the elbow presents an angle of 90°. This construction enables to easily fit and control the two shafts. In particular, each shaft is a cylindrical rod arranged to slide in parallel to the main axis.

[0035] According to an aspect of the invention, the piping assembly comprises a curved portion from the elbow to the suction aperture of the pump oriented downward.

[0036] The present invention also concerns a machine for dosing liquids comprising a pumping system as described above, a frame and a body slidably mounted on the frame according to a vertical direction when the machine is resting on a flat ground, the pumping system being mounted on the body so as to enable the lance to move vertically for penetrating and exiting the drum.

[0037] Not only is the piping assembly moving in order to put the lance within the drum, but the pumping system in its entirety. This choice is advantageous: the geometry between the suction end of the lance and the suction aperture of the pump remain the same. The pump then works according to constant conditions.

[0038] According to an aspect of the invention, a control unit of the machine for dosing liquids is configured to control a descent movement of the body so as to maintain an end portion of the lance within the liquid in the drum as much as the liquid level descents.

[0039] In other words, always the same portion of the lance is configured to be emerged in the liquid. This helps remaining in the same conditions for the pump.

[0040] According to an aspect of the invention, the control unit is adapted to use a signal from the pressure sensor to determine the descent of the body. Alternatively or in addition, the machine for dosing liquids can comprise an additional sensor for determining an additional physical value related to the length of the lance emerged in the liquid. It can be a pressure of a probe sensor of a liquid level in the drum. Another possibility is to weight the drum continuously and deduct a descent rate from the weight loss.

[0041] The purpose is to have the suction end of the lance a few centimeters below the fluid level so as to follow the descent of the fluid level, the descent rate of the lance being automatically.

[0042] The machine has been designed around a pump selected for its optimum suction capabilities. The pump is installed vertically on a moving body so that the suction conditions are optimum (lowest pressure drop possible) and do not change as the product level in the drum decreases.

[0043] According to an aspect of the invention, the control unit is in addition configured to control the opening of the foot valve to adjust the pressure loss to the pressure loss adapted for the pump.

[0044] Pressure instruments and control loops are used by the control unit to ensure pump operating conditions are always optimum.

[0045] Preferably, the pump is a vertical pump with a circulation of the liquid that is horizontal. According to an aspect of the invention, the machine for dosing liquids comprises a turning pipe with seals at the pump discharge to follow the vertical movements of the pump.

[0046] The pump discharge is directly into a pigged line that can be linked to another installation for mixing liquids.

[0047] According to an aspect of the invention, the machine for dosing liquids comprises a support for receiving the drum, the support including a moving plate and stand adapted to displace the moving plate in inclination and offset with respect to a default position of the moving plate.

[0048] The default position of the moving plate is horizontal when the machine is resting on a flat ground. In this case, the drum is positioned horizontally. When, at the end of emptying the drum, the liquid level is such that there is a risk for the suction end to touch a bottom of the drum, the moving plate is rotated and offset so that the bunghole remains at the same place horizontally. Thus, the lance is not moved horizontally and it becomes possible to further pump within the inclined drum.

[0049] As drums have usually a standard dimension, the rotation of the moving plate has for center a central point of the bunghole. The moving plate is also moved or offset horizontally to that the bunghole remains at the same horizontal location.

[0050] This provision helps emptying as much as possible the liquids within the drum. The support can include the weight sensor evoked above to determine when rotating and or setting simultaneously the drum.

[0051] A controlled inclination and simultaneous offset of the drum is advantageous to pump the remaining fluid at the end of pumping, the movement of the drum being centered at the bunghole to allow the good position of the lance with respect to the drum.

[0052] According to an aspect of the invention, the machine for dosing liquids comprises a separate cleaning pipe which on a sub-assembly of the body on which is also mounted the lance, the sub-assembly being configured to rotate according to a rotation axis parallel to the main axis in order to position the separate cleaning pipe above the bunghole.

[0053] This provision enables to have an included washing system within the machine for dosing liquids. When the pumping is over, the sub-assembly is rotated so that the separate cleaning pipe can be introduced within the drum to wash the remaining of the liquids.

[0054] The washing system also include a washing tank on the frame that is contains water and cleaning products for the washing of the drum. The pump can be used for the washing circuit thanks to a dedicated valve for modifying the fluid circuits of the machine for dosing liquids. Alternatively, an additional pump can be used.

[0055] The machine for dosing liquids combines mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control system equipment. The machine is fully controlled by a dedicated control unit that is a PLC.

[0056] The machine for dosing liquids is a skid-mounted assembly that includes all the necessary equipment and accessories enabling it to be operational. It requires a single electrical infeed to the control cabinet together with utility inlets for compressed air and steam.

[0057] The machine for dosing liquids has a full operator interface control panel and screen. The man-machine interface uses control screen messages and keyboard - push button dialogue for full operation. The machine for dosing liquids is interfaced with external systems so as to be integrated in the surrounding factory control system for operational and safety reasons.

[0058] The drum decanting operations are semi-automatic with the manual interventions limited to set-up and positioning of drums. The automatic control takes over upon operator acknowledgement to perform all the pre-programmed sequences and react to subsequent operator prompts and replies.

[0059] The machine for dosing liquids is designed to meet the lubricant manufacturing company demands but can be adapted to meet the requirements of other industrial sectors such as specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical and eventually food manufacturing.

[0060] The machine for dosing liquids is adapted to standard drum of 210 l that are metallic. However, the machine can be operated with the same principle with other type and form of container such as IBC containers, provided such container have a bunghole with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the lance.

[0061] The different aspects defined above that are not incompatible can be combined.Brief description of the figures

[0062] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description that is set out below with reference to the appended drawing in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine for dosing liquids comprising a pumping system; figure 2 is a perspective view of the pumping system; figure 3 is a perspective view of a lance of the pumping system; figure 4 is a view that schematically represents an end portion of the lance in different opening positions; figure 5 is a perspective view of a support of the machine for receiving a drum; figure 6 is a side view of the support for receiving a drum. Description with reference to the figures

[0063] In the following detailed description of the figures defined above, the same elements or the elements that are fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0064] As illustrated in figures 1 to 4, a pumping system 1 is configured for receiving a drum 3 having a bunghole 5 of a defined inner diameter, the pumping system 1 comprising a suction system 7 adapted for pumping a liquid located within the drum 3.

[0065] The suction system 7 comprises a pump 9 and a piping assembly 11 adapted to be mounted on a suction aperture of the pump 3. The piping assembly 11 is provided with a lance 13 extending according to a main axis 15, the lance 13 being configured to penetrate into the drum 3 via the bunghole 5.

[0066] The suction system 7 comprises a closing device 17 adapted for closing a suction end 19 of the lance 13, the closing device 7 including a foot valve 21 arranged to be movable in translation according to the main axis 15 between a closed position, as represented on the left of figure 4, and a totally open position of the suction end, as represented on the right of figure 4.

[0067] The closing device 17 further includes an actuator 23 and two shafts 25 adapted to link the actuator 23 to the foot valve 21 for moving the foot valve 21, the two shafts25 being slidably mounted parallel to the main axis 15 within the lance 13 so as to be diametrically opposed with respect to the main axis 15.

[0068] The bunghole 5 is round and the external side of the lance 13 is cylindrical.

[0069] The lance 13 presents an internal tubular surface, each shaft 25 being in contact with said internal tubular surface.

[0070] The foot valve 21 is a cap configured to cooperate by contact with the suction end 19 of the lance 13 in closed position and configured to be outside and distant from said suction end 19 in totally open position according to the main axis 15.

[0071] In other words, the foot valve 21 is translated away from the lance 13 in totally open position by the move of the shafts 25. In closed position, the suction end 19 is tight and no liquid can be pumped.

[0072] The actuator 23 is configured to move the foot valve 21 in a plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the totally open position.

[0073] In any intermediate position, for example the position illustrated in the middle in figure 4, the suction end 19 is not tight which means that more or less liquid can be pumped. There is an interest to open more or less and to be able to control this opening when regulating a flow rate that has to be pumped.

[0074] In particular, a partial opening of the foot valve 21 is used to enable the suction lance 13 to go down as close as possible to the bottom of the drum 3 and pump as much liquid as possible. Opening more or less the foot valve 21 can also help regulating the pressure within the lance 13 and in the liquid being pumped in proximity of the suction end.

[0075] The pumping system 1 comprises a flow rate control system 29 for the pump including a pressure sensor 31 mounted in the piping assembly 11.

[0076] The flow rate control system 29 is configured to maintain the lowest possible pressure to avoid cavitation and maximize the flow rate in association with the pump 9 whose functioning is also controlled by the flow rate control system 29.

[0077] In addition, the foot valve 21 can more or less open to adjust the measurement of the pressure sensor 31 to a goal value.

[0078] The pressure sensor 31 is located in proximity of the suction aperture of the pump 9. Alternatively, the pressure sensor 31 can be set in another place of the piping assembly 11. The location can for example be determined empirically and the pump 9 function and opening of the foot valve 21 be adjusted accordingly.

[0079] The piping assembly 11 includes an elbow 33 mounted on an end of the lance 13 that is opposed to the suction end 19, the pumping system 1 including a bracket 35 for supporting the actuator 23, the elbow 33 presenting two holes for the passage of the shafts 25 that are linked to the actuator 23.

[0080] The pumping system 1 also includes a gasket so that the holes remain tight. Preferably, the elbow 33 presents an angle of 90°. This construction enables to easily fit and control the two shafts 25. In particular, each shaft 25 is a cylindrical rod arranged to slide in parallel to the main axis 15.

[0081] The piping assembly 11 comprises a curved portion 37 from the elbow 33 to the suction aperture of the pump 9 oriented downward.

[0082] Figure 1 depicts a machine for dosing liquids 39 comprising a pumping system 1 as described above, a frame 41 and a body 43 slidably mounted on the frame 41 according to a vertical direction when the machine is resting on a flat ground, the pumping system 1 being mounted on the body 43 so as to enable the lance 13 to move vertically for penetrating and exiting the drum 3.

[0083] Not only is the piping assembly 11 moving in order to put the lance 13 within the drum 3, but the pumping system 1 in its entirety. This choice is advantageous: the geometry between the suction end 19 of the lance 13 and the suction aperture of the pump 9 remain the same. The pump 9 then works according to constant conditions.

[0084] A control unit 45 of the machine for dosing liquids 39 is configured to control a descent movement of the body 43 so as to maintain an end portion of the lance 13 within the liquid in the drum 9 as much as the liquid level descents. This end portion within the liquid remain for example constant.

[0085] In other words, always the same portion of the lance 13 is configured to be emerged in the liquid. This helps remaining in the same conditions for the pump 9.

[0086] The control unit 45 is adapted to use a signal from the pressure sensor 31 to determine the descent of the body 43. Alternatively or in addition, the machine for dosing liquids 39 can comprise an additional sensor for determining an additional physical value related to the length of the lance emerged in the liquid. It can be a pressure of a probe sensor of a liquid level in the drum. Another possibility is to weight the drum 3 continuously and deduct a descent rate from the weight loss.

[0087] The purpose is to have the suction end 19 of the lance 13 a few centimeters below the fluid level so as to follow the descent of the fluid level, the descent rate of the lance 13 being automatically.

[0088] The machine has been designed around a pump 9 selected for its optimum suction capabilities. The pump 9 is installed vertically on a moving body 43 so that the suction conditions are optimum (lowest pressure drop possible) and do not change as the product level in the drum decreases.

[0089] The control unit 45 is in addition configured to control the opening of the foot valve 21 to adjust the pressure loss to the pressure loss adapted for the pump 9. The opening of the foot valve 21 can be reduced in proximity to the bottom of the drum 3 to maximize the liquid quantity that can be pumped.

[0090] Pressure instruments and control loops are used by the control unit 45 to ensure pump operating conditions are always optimum.

[0091] Preferably, the pump 9 is a vertical pump with a circulation of the liquid that is horizontal. The machine for dosing liquids 39 comprises a turning pipe 47 with seals at the pump discharge to follow the vertical movements of the pump 9.

[0092] The pump discharge is directly into a pigged line that can be linked to another installation for mixing liquids.

[0093] As illustrated in figures 1, 5 and 6, the machine for dosing liquids 39 comprises a support 49 for receiving the drum 3, the support 49 including a moving plate 51 and stand 53 adapted to displace the moving plate 51 in inclination and offset with respect to a default position of the moving plate 51.

[0094] The default position of the moving plate 51 is horizontal when the machine is resting on a flat ground. In this case, the drum 3 is positioned horizontally. When, at the end of emptying the drum 3, the liquid level is such that there is a risk for the suction end to touch a bottom of the drum 3, the moving plate 51 is rotated and offset, i. e. by a horizontal move, so that the bunghole 5 remains at the same place horizontally. Thus, the lance 13 is not moved horizontally and it becomes possible to further pump within the inclined drum 3.

[0095] As drums 3 have usually a standard dimension, the rotation of the moving plate 51 has for center a central point of the bunghole 5. The moving plate 51 is also moved or offset horizontally to that the bunghole 5 remains at the same horizontal location.

[0096] This provision helps emptying as much as possible the liquids within the drum 3. The support 49 can include the weight sensor evoked above to determine when rotating and or setting simultaneously the drum 3.

[0097] A controlled inclination and simultaneous offset of the drum 3 is advantageous to pump the remaining fluid at the end of pumping, the movement of the drum 3 being centered at the bunghole 5 to allow the good position of the lance 13 with respect to the drum 3.

[0098] As shown on figure 2,the machine for dosing liquids 39 comprises a separate cleaning pipe 55 which on a sub-assembly of the body 43 on which is also mounted the lance 13, the sub-assembly being configured to rotate according to a rotation axis 57 parallel to the main axis 15 in order to position the separate cleaning pipe 55 above the bunghole 5.

[0099] This provision enables to have an included washing system within the machine for dosing liquids 39. When the pumping is over, the sub-assembly is rotated so that the separate cleaning pipe 57 can be introduced within the drum 3 to wash the remaining of the liquids.

[0100] The washing system also include a washing tank 59 represented on figure1 on the frame 41 that is contains water and cleaning products for the washing of the drum 3. The pump 9 can be used for the washing circuit thanks to a dedicated valve for modifying the fluid circuits of the machine for dosing liquids. Alternatively, an additional pump can be used.

[0101] The machine for dosing liquids 39 combines mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control system equipment. The machine is fully controlled by a dedicated control unit 45 that is a PLC.

[0102] The machine for dosing liquids 39 is a skid-mounted assembly that includes all the necessary equipment and accessories enabling it to be operational. It requires a single electrical infeed to the control cabinet together with utility inlets for compressed air and steam.

[0103] The machine for dosing liquids 39 has a full operator interface control panel and screen. The man-machine interface uses control screen messages and keyboard - push button dialogue for full operation. The machine for dosing liquids is interfaced with external systems so as to be integrated in the surrounding factory control system for operational and safety reasons.

[0104] The drum decanting operations are semi-automatic with the manual interventions limited to set-up and positioning of drums. The automatic control takes over upon operator acknowledgement to perform all the pre-programmed sequences and react to subsequent operator prompts and replies.

[0105] The machine for dosing liquids 39 is designed to meet the lubricant manufacturing company demands but can be adapted to meet the requirements of other industrial sectors such as specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical and eventually food manufacturing.

[0106] The machine for dosing liquids 39 is adapted to standard drum of 210 l that are metallic. However, the machine can be operated with the same principle with other type and form of container such as IBC containers, provided such container have a bunghole with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the lance.

[0107] Advantageously, the pumping system 1 is capable of pumping a viscous fluid within the drum because the lance 13 is conceived to create as low as possible pressure loss while having a foot valve maneuverable from the inside of the lance 13.

[0108] Indeed, the foot valve 21 cannot be controlled on an external side of the lance as the external side of the lance is dimensioned to be the largest possible to enter into the bunghole 5.

[0109] On the other side, the parts of the closing device 17 that are internal to the lance are creating a pressure loss and their geometry is important to minimize the pressure loss.

[0110] It has been found that controlling the foot valve 21 with two shafts 25 in opposite diametric positions is advantageous because it enables to have enough robustness and durability while limiting the pressure loss.

[0111] For example, it has been found that the two shafts 25 according to their positions are more efficient to reduce pressure loss than a unique central shaft with a bigger diameter.

[0112] The pumping system 1 is therefore capable of pumping and dosing high viscosity additives from drums 3. It is designed to optimize the pump suction conditions, to eliminate retention areas and it combines several pieces of equipment and technologies in a compact skid mounted machine.

[0113] The lance 13 design has been developed to minimize the pressure drop to the product flow by using internal sidewall fixed, small diameter shafts 25 to operate to foot valve 21. It has been found that two smaller shafts 13 are more efficient than a bigger unique shaft.

[0114] As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above by way of example, it encompasses all the variants.

Claims

1. Pumping system (1) for a drum (3) having a bunghole (5) of a defined inner diameter, the pumping system (1) comprising a suction system (7) adapted for pumping a liquid located within the drum (3), the suction system (3) comprising: - a pump (9), - a piping assembly (11) adapted to be mounted on a suction aperture of the pump (9), the piping assembly (11) being provided with a lance (13) extending according to a main axis (15), the lance (13) being configured to penetrate into the drum (9) via the bunghole (5), - a closing device (17) adapted for closing a suction end (19) of the lance (13), the closing device (17) including a foot valve (21) arranged to be movable in translation according to the main axis (15) between a closed position and a totally open position of the suction end (19), the closing device (17) further including an actuator (23) and two shafts (25) adapted to link the actuator (23) to the foot valve (21) for moving the foot valve (21), the two shafts (25) being slidably mounted parallel to the main axis (15) within the lance (13) so as to be diametrically opposed with respect to the main axis (15).

2. Pumping system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lance (13) presents an internal tubular surface, each shaft (25) being in contact with said internal tubular surface.

3. Pumping system (1) according to one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the foot valve (21) is a cap configured to cooperate by contact with the suction end (19) of the lance (13) in closed position and configured to be outside and distant from said suction end (19) in totally open position according to the main axis (15).

4. Pumping system (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator (23) is configured to move the foot valve (21) in a plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the totally open position.

5. Pumping system (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, comprising a flow rate control system (29) for the pump including a pressure sensor (31) mounted in the piping assembly (11).

6. Pumping system (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the piping assembly (11) includes an elbow (33) mounted on an end of the lance (13) that is opposed to the suction end (19), the pumping system (1) including a bracket (35) for supporting the actuator (23), the elbow (33) presenting two holes for the passage of the shafts (25) that are linked to the actuator (23).

7. Machine for dosing liquids (39) comprising a pumping system (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, a frame (41) and a body (43) slidably mounted on the frame (41) according to a vertical direction when the machine is resting on a flat ground, the pumping system (1) being mounted on the body (43) so as to enable the lance (13) to move vertically for penetrating and exiting the drum (3).

8. Machine for dosing liquids (39) according to claim 7, wherein a control unit (45) of the machine for dosing liquids (39) is configured to control a descent movement of the body (43) so as to maintain an end portion of the lance (13) within the liquid in the drum as much as the liquid level descents.

9. Machine for dosing liquids (39) according to one of the claims 7 or 8, comprising a support (49) for receiving the drum (3), the support (49) including a moving plate (51) and stand (53) adapted to displace the moving plate (51) in inclination and offset with respect to a default position of the moving plate (51).

10. Machine for dosing liquids (39) according to one of the claims 7 to 9, comprising a separate cleaning pipe (55) which on a sub-assembly of the body (43) on which is also mounted the lance (13), the sub-assembly being configured to rotate according to a rotation axis (57) parallel to the main axis (15) in order to position the separate cleaning pipe (55) above the bunghole (5).

Images