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A water pump is a common mechanical device used to transfer water from a lower place to a higher or more distant place. It converts mechanical energy into water's kinetic or potential energy, achieving water transportation or circulation. Water pumps are widely used in households, agriculture, industry, and municipal engineering for water supply, drainage, irrigation, and chemical processes. After being discarded, a water pump is also known as a submersible motor.
The energy source of water pumps varies, with some being driven by diesel or gasoline combustion, which have lower recycling value. Electric water pumps have an electric motor inside that provides power to rotate the impeller, and once discarded, they become recyclable waste with a certain value due to the copper coil in the motor.

The electric motor structure visible after disassembling an electric water pump

Common Classification

Water pumps can be classified based on their working principle, including centrifugal pumps, axial flow pumps, mixed flow pumps, and screw pumps. According to their power source, they can be divided into electric and diesel/gasoline-powered, with only electric water pumps having significant recycling value. Based on the material of the outer shell, they can be divided into aluminum shell or iron shell motors. The material of the outer shell can be determined by the presence of rust, with iron shell motors having visible rust and aluminum shells showing obvious oxidation.

Common Sources

Water pumps are widely used in households, agriculture, and industry, so discarded water pumps can be collected from various channels, with agricultural sources being the most abundant. They are a common and widespread type of waste.

Value Points

Electric water pumps generally contain around 12% copper. It is rare to find aluminum wire windings in water pumps, and caution should be exercised when checking the label. In the scrap pump category, there is a common type of oil well pump, whose outer shell is usually made of stainless steel.

USE COPPER CONDUCTORS ONLY (only copper conductors), determining the material of the wire by reading the label

The material of the oil well pump, containing approximately 12% copper

Processing Methods

The processing method for water pumps is similar to that of compressors, mainly involving manual disassembly. The process requires the use of electric saws, wrenches, and pry bars.

Detection Methods

Matching Direction

Discarded electric water pumps are suitable for matching with disassembly plants in Malaysia and Thailand. They are relatively easier to process than air compressors, as the outer shell of the water pump can be disassembled, whereas compressors can only be cut.

Special Attention

The differences between various water pumps are relatively small compared to motors and compressors. The copper content is generally around 12%, and aluminum wire water pumps are extremely rare. Therefore, the quality of water pump waste is generally stable.

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