White Paper: Closed System Technology Drives The Trend Toward Safer, More Cost-Efficient Chemical Dispensing

In dozens of industries and in millions of applications around the world, dangerous chemicals are transferred from their original shipping containers into smaller jugs or buckets or applied to other end-use processes. Historically, the predominant dispensing method in many of these applications has been through an open system where the liquid is poured out of the container. With a poured system, the container is often flipped on its side and the liquid is poured into a secondary container. The user then just carries the bucket to wherever it needs to go. A mental image of this technique quickly reveals its potential dangers and inefficiencies.

Another popular dispensing method is a semi-closed system that pumps the liquid out of a drum or container. In these systems, a dip-tube draws chemicals from verticallyoriented containers using an attachable hand or electric pump. While a step in the right direction, the semi-closed dispensing system requires a dip-tube that needs to be removed and re-inserted each time a new drum is used, exposing the end user to drips, leaks and fumes during transfer.

The primary drawback of all open and semi-closed systems is that they needlessly expose the user, equipment and the environment, to potentially hazardous chemicals and vapors.