Top 8 Considerations for Selecting a Slurry Pump

Dec. 30, 2024

Top 8 Considerations for Selecting a Slurry Pump

Top 8 Slurry Pump Considerations

The following is a list of 8 considerations for choosing a slurry pump best suited for a slurry application. Selecting a pump for a slurry application is more difficult than for an application involving thinner fluids. If a mistake is made in the pump selection process, the pump chosen will most likely not work well, or will not pump the higher viscosity, abrasive, heavy, solid laden fluid at all, which renders the new pump useless!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website SUNBO PUMP.

Know the Material or Fluid Being Pumped

The fluid or material type and its characteristics are among the most important considerations. Is it a slurry, mud, sand, etc.

Fluid viscosity of the material, usually measured in centipoise (CPS).

Density of fluid, usually measured as specific gravity (Sg)

The pH level, which is the measure of hydrogen-ion concentration.

Static and operating temperature of the fluid.

Pump Flow Rate

Flow rate is another important factor for selecting the best-suited pump for a slurry application. The pump must be capable of exceeding the required flow rate to ensure desired flow rates are achievable (example of flow rate: 350 GPM or 200 cu. yards per hour {cu-yd/h}).

The flow rate of the pump must not only achieve the required flow rate of the application, but it must also be more than something called the critical flow rate. The critical flow rate is the constant flow rate required to maintain the suspended particles and solids in the slurry. Maintaining suspension of particles and solids helps to avoid the heavy portion of the fluid from settling at the bottom of the wetted path, as well as from settling at the bottom of the discharge piping.

Flow velocity is a critical consideration; the material must move at a consistent velocity through the piping to keep the slurry, particles, and solid-laden material suspended so it does not settle and cause clogging.

Materials of Construction

The materials that the pump is made of are necessary because the pump must be chemically compatible with the fluid being pumped. If the pump&#;s materials of construction and the liquid are not consistent, it can cause the pump to either melt down or crack, resulting in catastrophic failure of the pump, and can also cause damage to the immediate area surrounding the application and cause injury to workers.

The pump must also handle the abrasive characteristics of the fluid being pumped. If not, abrasive fluids can scour through the pump casing and cause premature wear of the internal pump components such as the rotor or impeller.

Inlet & Discharge Pipe Considerations

Pipe length, diameter, and the type of material of the piping are essential factors that are often not strongly considered when constructing a pumping system.

Pipe length is essential because the more significant the size of the pipe, the more fluid or material build-up will occur, requiring a more substantial amount of motor power to enable the pump to continue pushing the fluid or material to its final destination.

Pipe diameter should be sized considering two factors, reducing discharge head pressure and maintaining sufficient fluid or material velocity to avoid clogging of the discharge pipe. Regarding both reducing discharge head and maintaining adequate fluid velocity, the rule of thumb is to go more extensive on the pipe diameter, which will help to alleviate the adverse effects of both factors.

Pipe material should not only be chemically compatible with the fluid or material being pumped, but when selecting piping that has a reduced surface finish at the inside of the piping, it can also minimize pipe friction loss which can result in less energy required to pump the fluid or material to its final destination. The surface finish measure is denoted as Ra, which stands for Roughness Average.

Motor Power

Motor power, usually indicated by horsepower (HP), is important on any pump but wildly when pumping slurries and fluids with high specific gravity and viscosity because thicker, heavier fluids require a more significant amount of power and force to move the fluid or material to the desired final location.

The motor power must also be sufficient enough to overcome any forces within the discharge piping downstream of the pump. These forces within the discharge piping could be a result of pipe components such as tees, bends, and upward grades that create something that is referred to as discharge head pressure which is measured in PSIG.

Pump Operating Cost

Another important consideration that most pump user does not think about is the cost and economic impact of the pump. Having the best-suited pump for an application also includes how much money it requires to keep that pump running for whatever duration it is in service. It not only has the energy the motor uses but also involves selecting a pump that can move viscous material with low amounts of water or accompanying fluids.

Water and accompanying fluids used to make pumping viscous solid laden material possible can cost a lot of money. If these fluids can be reduced, it can save thousands of dollars on operating expenses.

Pump Elevation

The pump must be located in a manner that does not hinder its operation of the pump. In applications where the pump is positioned above the fluid to be pumped, the pump cannot be located higher than the pump&#;s ability to draw the liquid into the pump intake. If the pump is positioned at an elevation that is greater than the pump&#;s ability to remove the fluid into the pump, the result will be that the pump will not achieve prime, and the desired flow rate will not be reached, or even worse, the pump will not pump the fluid at all.

Pump Orientation

One last point to mention is pumped orientation. Pumps can be purchased with several different orientation options. The most common are vertical and horizontal, which refers to pump shaft orientation. Depending on the specific application, vertical and horizontal pump orientations can be the better choice. Horizontal orientation is the most purchased orientation, but vertical orientation can be better suited when a pump is used in a smaller space.

Sludge Pumps & Slurry Pumps: Everything You Need To Know

Sludge, slurry and sewage&#;three topics that aren&#;t a subject of everyday &#;pleasant&#; conversations. Any of these words conjures images of yucky goo, germs, and debris. But dealing with these fluids is a fact of life, and you need the right kind of submersible pump to handle the heavier load.

Having the right pump helps considerably with handling sludge and slurry safely. But with many brands and types of pump on the market, what kind of heavy-duty pump do you need to handle the workload?

Sludge pumps and slurry pumps are often considered interchangeable, but they do have slightly different functions. Both sludge and slurry are fluids with a high percentage of solids, but sludge is softer and thicker. Slurry is thinner and flows through the pipes more easily.

This article explains everything you need to know about sludge and slurry pumps, including the difference between a sludge pump and a slurry pump, and when you might need one.

Read on to understand the differences between sludge and slurry and the types of pumps that are designed to work with them.

What is Sludge?

Sludge is a thick, viscous liquid that&#;s made up of organic and inorganic materials. It&#;s typically produced during the wastewater treatment process, ranging from sewage treatment to industrial byproducts.

Sludge can be composed of a number of different materials, including:

Organic materials: These are the most common type of sludge and include things like food waste, paper, and plant matter.

Inorganic materials: These are the non-biodegradable materials that can be found in wastewater, such as metals, plastics, and solvents.

Sludge has a thick texture that may be very viscous or sticky, making it difficult to pump. However, with a higher percentage of solids, it is more compact and can facilitate the disposal of waste products.

What is Slurry?

Slurry is a water-based mixture that contains solids in suspension. It&#;s commonly generated in industrial, mining and agricultural settings. Slurry is thin and sloppy, and flows more easily than sludge.

Slurry can be made up of a number of different materials, including:

Solids: These are the insoluble materials that are found in the liquid. They can be in the form of particles, flakes, or pellets

Liquids: These are the materials that help to suspend the solids. They can be in the form of water, wastewater, or other liquids.

Being easier to pump, slurry is the preferred output where waste needs to be transported in liquid form. Being distributed in a liquid suspension, slurries can make it easier to relocate and dispose of waste products in the mining and construction industries.

Are Sludge and Slurry the Same Thing?

Both sludge and slurry are mixtures of liquid and pulverised solid waste, but they are not the same. Sludge has a heavier consistency, like thick mud, while slurry is thinner and less viscous.

The main difference between sludge and slurry is the texture, rather than the composition of the fluid. Both slurry and sludge contain solids such as sand, mud, metals, sediments, and other particles within the liquid. They may be organic (like sewage) or non-organic.

Sludge is a thick and viscous fluid, and may be sticky, while slurry is thinner and flows more easily. This means that pumping requirements can vary significantly between these two fluids, and is also influenced by the type of particles found in the material.

Both sludge and slurry are often industrial byproducts, meaning that liquid might also contain certain acids, alcohols, oils, or other solvents. Therefore, both sludge and slurry need to be correctly and responsibly disposed of, considering the environmental impact and local regulations.

What Is a Sludge Pump?

The purpose of the sludge pump is to move sludge through sewer lines or other systems. Sludge can be heavy and often abrasive and corrosive; therefore, these pumps need to be high-powered. The heavier the sludge, the more horsepower that is required.

There are two main types of sludge pumps: centrifugal (or dynamic) pumps and positive displacement pumps.

Centrifugal pumps are commonly used thanks to their ability to pump effluent reliably. A centrifugal pump consists of a rotating impeller that converts electrical energy from the motor into kinetic energy. The kinetic energy is then converted to pressure, which creates the flow of the sludge through the pump.

These pumps can handle particles up to the size of sand, and flow rates can go as high as thousands of litres per second. However, these pumps cannot generate pressures higher than psi.

Positive displacement pumps work differently. While centrifugal pumps use continuous energy to increase the sludge flow, positive displacement pumps work by intermittently adding energy to increase pressure. They can generate more pressure than centrifugal pumps, but their flow rate can only go up to nine hundred and fifty litres per second.

There are two designs for the positive displacement pumps: either reciprocating (such as the plunger and piston design) or rotary (progressing-cavity pumps and rotary vane vacuum pumps being examples).

What Is a Slurry Pump?

Slurry pumps are the type of pumps that are appropriate for pumping slurry. Choosing the suitable pump will depend on the size and types of solids in the slurry liquid and how corrosive the slurry mixture is. The larger and more corrosive the slurry is, the more heavy-duty the pumps would need to be.

Like sludge pumps, the two most common types of slurry pumps are centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps.

Centrifugal pumps are mainly used for slurry at concentrations less than seventy percent solid by weight; and come in various appearances, such as horizontal, submersible, and vertical.

Positive displacement slurry pumps are more limited when it comes to capacity, but they are better for pumping slurry with higher concentrations of solid material.

Centrifugal pumps, such as Bianco Vulcan centrifugal pump are above ground pumps that can be added to existing pump lines to add more power and suction force to the set up. In comparison, submersible drainage pumps such as the Nova submersible pump are powerful pumps ideal for removing water from an area, either on a daily basis or in case of emergencies.

Positive displacement slurry pumps are more limited when it comes to capacity, but they are better for pumping slurry with higher concentrations of solid material.

How Are Sludge and Slurry Pumps Different From Water Pumps?

Water pumps differ from slurry or sludge pumps. The viscosity and composition of these fluids mean they need much higher pressure and hydraulic capacity than water pumps. Finally, water pumps cannot withstand potential chemical corrosion and particle abrasion.

Sludge and slurry both contain solid particles, including (but not limited to) sand, gravel, and metals; the difference lies in their consistency. Furthermore, while the liquid in sludge and slurry can indeed be water, it can also contain other types of liquid such as petroleum and various acids.

Due to the difference in viscosity and composition of slurry and sludge, installing and using the correct type of pump is imperative.

For pumping slurries, a centrifugal pump or heavy-duty drainage pump is used.

For pumping sludges, positive displacement pumps such as diaphragm pumps, lobe pumps, and Moyno pumps are best.

Do I Use a Sludge Pump or Slurry Pump for Sewage?

A sludge or slurry pump can be used to pump out sewage from sewage lines. The most common type of pumps used for sewage are centrifugal pumps. These pumps can effectively push sewage and can be installed in pits and sumps.

Due to their higher starting costs and complex maintenance, reciprocating pumps are less common than centrifugal pumps. Reciprocating pumps are used in specialised cases when a larger-than-normal quantity of sewage needs to be pumped.

If you are dealing with a small amount of sewage that doesn&#;t justify the need to construct a pumping station, you can use air pressure pumps or pneumatic ejectors. Unlike other pumps with spinning impellers or pistons, these pumps use compressed air to move sewage. These small-capacity pumps are quieter, have fewer moving parts, and develop blockages less frequently. However, they are the least efficient among the pumping options available.

Are Slurry Pumps and Sludge Pumps Submersible?

Because there are several conditions where a slurry pump or a sludge pump is called for, there are three types of installations to consider: dry installation, semi-dry installation or wet installation, which involves fully submerging the pump.

First is a dry installation where the bearings and the pump drive are kept out of the sludge or slurry. The wet end&#;which may include the impeller, suction liner, shaft sleeve, and shell&#;is free-standing and out of the way of any liquid. Horizontal slurry pumps are mostly dry installations.

The second method is semi-dry installation. The operator floods the wet end and the bearings but keeps the drive dry. This installation is often used for dredging with horizontal pumps.

The final method is wet installation. Using this method, the slurry pump and drive are fully submerged. Wet installation is often reserved for underwater operations, cement plants, dyeing and printing plants, and similar industries. The pumps used are often vertical centrifugal pumps with semi-open impellers.

What Is Slurry Pump And What is Used For?

Pumps are often one of the most overlooked pieces of equipment in a processing plant, but they play a crucial role in ensuring operations run smoothly. They are used to move fluids containing solids and can be found in various sectors, including mining, wastewater treatment, and construction. If you&#;re not sure about the type and which one is best then you&#;re in the right place. In this post, we&#;ll take you through a guide about what is slurry pump and the type of it.

What Is A Slurry Pump Used For?

A slurry pump is a device used to move small particle-sized fluids, such as those found in mining and heavy industrial applications. The slurry pump moves the liquid using an impeller to agitate the mixture and force it through the pump&#;s casing and out the discharge pipe. Slurry pumps come in many sizes and configurations, so choosing the best suited for your specific application is important.

Types of Slurry Pump

There are different types of slurry pumps available in the market. Here&#;re the most commonly used slurry pumps:

Horizontal Slurry Pump-

A horizontal slurry pump moves slurries horizontally in a pipeline. Slurries are a mixture of liquid and solids and can be abrasive. The horizontal slurry pump has many applications, including moving black liquor in the pulp and paper industry, wastewater treatment, and metal processing.

Vertical Slurry Pump-

A vertical Slurry Pump uses centrifugal force to pump liquid or slurry substances. It is a type of rotary pump placed in a vertical position, with the motor located above the impeller. This design allows the liquid to be pumped up to higher elevations, making it ideal for pumping thick fluids and slurries.

Submerged Slurry Pump-

Submerged slurry pumps are often used in industrial settings. They can be used to move liquids such as wastewater and sludge. They can also be used to move other types of liquids, such as diesel fuel and oil.

Submersible Slurry Pump-

A submersible Slurry Pump can dredge the slurry material, sediment, coal ash mixture, and water transport. They are widely used in electric power, metallurgy, coal, building materials, and other industries.

What&#;s The Best Slurry Pump?

The best slurry pump for your needs depends on your specific requirements. Factors to consider include:

The type of liquid to be pumped.

The solids content of the liquid.

The maximum allowable pressure and temperature.

Various slurry pumps are available, so it&#;s essential to select the right one for your specific application. Some of the most common slurry pumps include the centrifugal slurry pump, the positive displacement slurry pump, and the dredge pump.

Slurry Pump UK

Slurry pumps are an important part of the process industry and are used extensively in the UK. They are used to move fluids containing solids and can be found in various sectors, including mining, wastewater treatment, and construction.

There are a number of different types of slurry pumps, each designed for a specific application. The most common type is the centrifugal slurry pump, which moves liquids with high solids. Other types include the positive displacement pump and the progressive cavity pump.

Final Words

A slurry pump is a type of centrifugal pump specifically designed to move fluids containing solids. Slurry pumps are an important part of the process industry and are used extensively in the UK. Hope this article helps you to know about the slurry pump. However, If you have any questions about slurry pumps or want more information, please get in touch with us.

Choosing a Slurry Pump - Features

Nnamdi Nwaokocha offers practical advice on pump selection

PUMPS are the backbone of the process industry. In a process plant, it is necessary to move material from one point to another. In keeping with the laws of thermodynamics, fluids move from an area of high pressure to low, and depending on the plant layout often require the assistance of a pump to achieve this. With many different pump types available, selecting the right pump can be tricky, especially when slurries are involved.

This article will discuss some of the variables to consider when characterising a slurry and selecting a suitable pump for transporting those slurries in a plant. This is not definitive and is by no means a complete review of handling slurries by pumping but is meant to provide some useful information and a good starting point of what to consider.

In a spin: Slurry centrifugal pump with rubber lined casing and rubber impeller

Summary

Pumping of slurries can often lead to blockages or equipment failure. The job of the designer is to assess all the factors of each situation, including client and existing site preferences to design a system and select a pump which is robust enough to minimise blockages and makes maintenance for operators as easy as capital would permit whilst providing a safe system of work.

Slurry type

What is a slurry? Typically, the term slurry is used to refer to a mixture of a liquid and a solid or combination of solids. The liquid is often referred to as the carrier fluid and in most cases is water, although it can be anything from an acid solution (eg nitric acid) to a hydrocarbon (eg diesel).

Producing a slurry or maintaining solid suspension in static conditions is outside the scope of this article.

Slurries can broadly be broken down into two types: settling, and non-settling slurries. This characterisation is based on the nature of the solid(s). Non-settling slurries contain solids made up of fine particles, which largely remain in suspension when the applied mixing energy ceases. Settling slurries, as the name suggests, contain solids whose particles settle out when the applied mixing energy ceases. From a designer&#;s perspective, it is important to know the type of slurry. For example, non-settling slurries can be transported around under laminar flow conditions, whereas turbulent flow conditions are required for settling slurries, particularly in horizontal sections.

A useful rule of thumb provided in Sinnot and Towler&#;s Chemical Engineering Design states that solids with particles of less than 200 microns (0.2 mm) will usually be expected to produce non-settling slurries. Larger particle sizes will produce settling slurries.1

Before selecting the right pump, the first step is to determine the pressure drop requirements using the system characteristics. The parameters required are:

The following equations2 are useful in determining the slurry&#;s density:

For settling slurries, the velocity in the pipework is the key design criteria.

Perry&#;s Chemical Engineers&#; Handbook

Figure 1: The relationship between the pressure drop and the slurry&#;s velocity compared to a pure liquid in horizontal pipework

Figure 1, an extract from Perry&#;s Chemical Engineers&#; Handbook, depicts the relationship between the pressure drop and the slurry&#;s velocity compared to a pure liquid in horizontal pipework. The important point to note is that the horizontal pipe velocity should be above the point labelled Vm2 (minimum transport velocity). This is the point at which the solids are fully suspended. This is determined using the Durand equation3.

where:

Once the minimum transport velocity is calculated, it is common to add a safety factor, but care is needed. If the velocity is too high, the required pressure drop and the subsequent work required by the pump can increase significantly. For vertical flow, a good starting velocity can be taken as twice the solid&#;s settling velocity. The main aim is to stop the solids from dropping out. Velocities in the range of 1-3 m/s is a useful rule of thumb.3

The pressure drop for settling slurries can now be determined at the calculated velocity assuming pseudo-homogeneous behaviour, using the slurry&#;s density and the carrier fluid&#;s viscosity in established pressure drop calculation and applying a correction factor. A correction factor of 25% is suggested in Perry&#;s Chemical Engineers&#; Handbook3.

Note that the above is for solids heavier than the carrier fluid. Depending on the solid particle size, at particular concentrations the particles begin to interact with each other and can start to affect the slurry&#;s viscosity. This is discussed further with calculations provided in the Processing of Solid-Liquid Suspensions, Chapter 112. Appendix 3, Warman Slurry Pumping Handbook4, also has useful calculations and correlations for water-based slurries.

Perry&#;s Chemical Engineers&#; Handbook

Figure 2: Durand factor for minimum suspension velocity (from Govier and Aziz, the flow of complex mixtures in pipes, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, )

For non-settling slurries, the resultant slurry typically displays non-Newtonian behaviour, and its rheology and behaviour must be determined empirically to ascertain the work required by the pump. The pressure drop for these can then be calculated using established pressure drop calculations depending on the slurry viscosity and density calculated.

Other things to consider before moving onto pump selection are:

slip conditions &#; when the solid and carrier velocities differ significantly;
pipe size &#; ensure the pipe ID is considerably bigger than maximum particle size (6-10x is recommended2);
piping design (using recirculation loops to ensure the slurry is constantly moving; using falls, so the slurry drains to a safe point; using long radius bends; installing rodding or flushing points; minimising bends; minimising dead legs; minimising suction pipework);
static head requirements; and
available NPSH.

The solid particle will play a crucial part in selecting the material of the wetted parts. The following, amongst other things, should be considered:

are the solids hard or soft? ie are they abrasive?
will pumping the slurry cause erosion?
are the solids corrosive? This applies to the carrier fluid.

Pump types

As with many pump duties, both rotary and positive-displacement pumps can be utilised. The following are some of the aspects to consider when selecting the type of pump for your slurry. However, always check with specialist pump suppliers before making a final decision.

Centrifugal pumps

The most common pumps generally in use are centrifugal pumps. When specifying this type of pump, as a minimum, the following must be considered:

Impeller type &#; A recessed impeller type can be used, the design minimises contact between the particles and the impeller thereby minimising wear on the impeller whilst being gentle on the particles. Open impeller types can be used, as they are generally easier to clean and maintain. Closed impellers are often regarded as having the best efficiency but can be difficult to clean. The thickness should have suitable wear allowance. You should also consider any impact caused by the required impeller speed.
Casing type &#; Metal casings can be used. These may be lined with rubber for added protection or as a sacrificial wear part. Split casings can also be considered, but these can be expensive. The thickness should have suitable wear allowance.
Clearances &#; Slurry centrifugal pumps should have larger clearances than pure liquid pumps, to allow solids to pass through but also to reduce the velocity within the pump, thereby minimising wear.

These are just some of the things to consider when selecting a centrifugal pump for a slurry duty. In direct liaison with a pump vendor, the designer must choose the best options for their system. They should also consider any impact on the shaft and seals, and ensure there will be no issues with cavitation.

Centrifugal pumps are differential head devices and therefore, the head generated is based on properties of the fluid.

Warman Slurry Pumping Handbook

Figure 3: Example operating curve and efficiency curve for a mixture of solids and water only

Often, the operating curve and efficiency curve provided by pump vendors are that of water, so a way of translating those figures is often needed. An example is shown in Figure 34. It also includes a ratio for the driver efficiency which would also assist in confirming the pump motor.

Note that the curve is only for slurries whose carrier fluid is water. Moreover, it is for Warman pumps. For similar correlations and fluids other than water, speak to your pump vendor.

Positive displacement pumps

There are various types of positive displacement pumps which may be utilised in pumping slurries: air-operated diaphragm pumps, peristaltic, rotary lobe, progressive cavity pumps, and piston diaphragm pumps to name a few. Assessing all of these to the same degree as the centrifugal pump above will be a significant undertaking and is outside the scope of this article. Instead, I&#;ve summarised different pump types used in my experience and highlighted specific things to consider in relation to handling slurries.

Positive displacement (PD) pumps are generally useful for fluids, which demonstrate pseudo-plastic behaviour. The pumps are better equipped to overcome that initial resistance to flow. They generally run at lower speeds compared to centrifugal pumps and are therefore consequently gentler on the solid particles. However, some PD pumps are known to generate acceleration losses, which must be accounted for.

Air-driven diaphragm pumps

Generally, I have found air-driven diaphragm pumps to be suitable for handling slurries. However, as with centrifugal pumps, abrasion and erosion can be an issue, particularly with the balls and seats that form part of the check valve assembly. If the right material is not selected, the balls can be eroded to a point where they no longer seal properly, causing the pump to not operate efficiently. The same thoughts can be applied to piston diaphragm pumps.

Things to consider (specifically related to slurry handling) include material of check valve assembly; material of diaphragm; and clearances (the maximum particle size the pump can handle).

Peristaltic pumps

Peristaltic pumps are alternatives to air-driven diaphragm pumps. Unlike the diaphragm pumps, there are no balls or check valves to maintain. To put it simply, the only things which require maintenance are the motor and the tube. The main advantage of this pump type is the capability to handle slurries up to 80% w/w solids (this is the highest value I&#;ve seen claimed, and should be confirmed with your pump vendor). A limiting factor in its selection is the maximum discharge pressure, and this is limited ultimately by the tube properties. Things to consider include tube material (hence tube life), and maximum discharge pressure.

Gear, lobe and ECP pumps

In these pump types, fluid is moved in the spaces between the teeth of the gear pump, lobes or pistons. They typically are specified for slurries with soft particles. ECP pumps are known for dealing well with slurries that contain solids which settle readily, as they can be scooped up once flow is resumed. The clearances are usually quite tight in these pump types and any slurries which contain abrasive solids would cause excessive wear on these pumps5.

Things to consider include slurry type, and solid characteristics.

Cross section of an ECP pump: Learn how it works at https://bit.ly/2FXMGbU

Progressive cavity pumps

Used extensively in the wastewater and process industries, this pump is well known for handling slurries. To improve wear resistance whilst pumping slurries, the rotor may be coated. The more abrasive the solids in the slurry the better it may be to operate the pump more slowly, ie select a larger pump and operate at a slower speed. Additionally however, if the pump is operated slower then solids may fall out of suspension and cause blockages within the pump. Be careful when looking to handle larger diameter solids. A limit of 45 mm is stated in Jones&#; Pump Station Design.7

Things to consider include solid characteristics (size and abrasiveness), slurry type (do they settle easily?) and seal arrangement.

Conclusion

Selecting a suitable pump for a slurry application can be a tricky business. There are many variables to consider, some of which have been mentioned in this article. The overriding message though is to ensure that the solids remain in suspension and to minimise wear and blockages. The above is provided for discussion and general guidance purposes only. For specific cases, you should gather as much information as possible on the carrier fluid and solids, and discuss options with a relevant pump vendor.

References

1. Sinnot, R and Towler, G, Chemical Engineering Design, Fifth Edition, Elsevier, .

2. Processing of Solid-Liquid Suspension, ed Ayazi Shamlou, P, Chapter 11 by Shook, CA, Chapter 12 Etchells, AW, Butterworth-Heinemann, .

3. Green, DW and Perry, RH, Perry&#;s Chemical Engineers&#; Handbook, Chapter 6, 8th Edition, McGraw-Hill, .

4. Warman Slurry Pumping Handbook, Warman International, Feb .

5. https://bit.ly/2Ud76ls

6. Coulson, JM, Richardson, JF, Backhurst, JR, Harker, JH, Coulson and Richardson&#;s Chemical Engineering Volume 1 - Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer, 6th Edition, Elsevier, .

7. Jones, GM, Pumping Station Design, revised 3rd edition), Elsevier, .

Comments

All Comments (0)

None

Choosing Between A Horizontal or Vertical Turbine Pump

Guest Posts

If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!

Your Name:(required)

Your Email:(required)

Subject:

Your Message:(required)

0/2000