Slurry Pump and it’s Applications
A slurry pump is a type of centrifugal pump, lobe pump or peristaltic hose pump in physics principle that increases the pressure of liquid and solid particle mixture (aka slurry), through centrifugal force (a rotating impeller) and converts electrical energy into slurry potential and kinetic energy.
Slurry pumps are widely used to transport corrosive/abrasive and high concentration slurry in many industries such as Gold, Silver, Iron ore, Tin, Steel, Coal, Titanium, Copper, Mineral sands, Lead and Zinc. Various other industries include Molybdenum, Electric Utilities, Oil Shale, Water & Sewage Utilities, Building areas, Sand & Gravel, Tobacco and Agriculture (hog, poultry, dairy manure) and are grouped by:
The parameters determined before selecting an appropriate slurry pump include capacity, head, solids handling capacity, efficiency and power, speed and NPSH.
The impeller, either elastomer or high-chrome material, is the main rotating component which normally has vanes to impart the centrifugal force to the liquid.
Split outer casing halves of cast contain the wear liners and provide high operation pressure capabilities. The casing shape is generally of semi-volute or concentric, efficiencies of which are less than that of the volute type.
A large diameter shaft with a short overhang minimizes deflection and vibration. Heavy-duty roller bearing is housed in a removable bearing cartridge.
A hardened, heavy-duty corrosion-resistant sleeve with O-ring seals at both ends protects the shaft. A split fit allows the sleeve removed or installed quickly.
Expeller drive seal, Packing seal, Mechanical seal.
V-belt drive, gear reducer drive, fluid coupling drive, and frequency conversion drive devices.
There are a number of different types of slurry pumps. In the category of centrifugal pumps, they are typically a single stage end suction configuration. However, there are a number of unique features that distinguish it from more standard or traditional end suction pumps. They are often made of high nickel iron materials, which are extremely hard so that they minimize abrasive wear on the pump parts. This material is so hard that the parts often cannot be machined using conventional machine tools. Rather the parts must be machined using grinders, and the flanges have slots cast into them to accept bolts so that drilling holes into them isn’t required. As an alternative to hardened high nickel iron, slurry pumps may be lined with rubber to protect against wear. The choice of high nickel iron or rubber lining for this pump type is dependent on the nature of the abrasive particles in the slurry, their size, velocity, and shape (relatively rounded versus sharp and jagged).
In addition to being constructed of special materials, centrifugal slurry pumps often have replaceable liners on both the front side and back side of the casing. With some manufacturers these liners are adjustable while the pump is running. This lets minerals processing plants, which are often operated around the clock, adjust the pump’s impeller clearance without shutting down. Production levels remain high and the pump runs more efficiently.
In the category of positive displacement pumps, slurry pumps are often a type of diaphragm pump that uses a reciprocating diaphragm driven mechanically or by pressurized air to expand and contract the pumping chamber. As the diaphragm expands, slurry or sludge is drawn into the chamber through a valve that prevents back flow. When the diaphragm contracts, the fluid is pushed through the outtake side of the chamber. Other positive displacement types are piston pumps and plunger pumps.