The selection of the best Slurry pump to suit your requirements isn’t an easy task. Slurry pumps are used in all kinds of industries and play an essential function in a variety of processes. The five primary factors to consider when determining the right slurry pump include slurry pump layout as well as the construction material used for pumps and slurry pump deployment the seal of the slurry pump and the correct power sizing for slurry pumps.
The design of the slurry pump
The design of the slurry pump is crucial to make certain that the rough, and frequently corrosion-prone slurry doesn’t damage the impeller. Sludge and slurry can contain large solids that can block various types of pumps. Since the majority of centrifugal pumps use an impeller that is in close capability to the volute the abrasive, and sometimes corrosive characteristics of the liquid can rapidly wear away the volute, and cause damage to the tolerance. This can cause it to drop its suction capabilities. This can lead to massive downtime for Slurry pumps, along with expensive repair and parts replacement.
Slurry Pump Construction Material
The selection of the appropriate material for the slurry pump is an important step in determining the right pump for your Slurry. If the slurry is extremely aggressive and has an acidic pH, then the most suitable construction material is Hi-Chrome. This metal has the most Brinell hardness and can withstand the abrasive nature of slurry. However, if the slurry is not just abrasive, but also has an acidic pH, it’s recommended to select the duplex stainless-steel structure. This type of material is ideal for a slurry pump that can resist caustic materials like acid, while still maintaining an extremely high Brinell level.
A Slurry Pump Deployment Method
Deciding on the best placement of the slurry pump is a crucial element in determining the best setting. The three primary options for deploying a slurry pump include submersible pumps suction pumps that are flooded as well as self-priming pumps.
Slurry Pump Seal
Based on the abrasive character of the slurry it’s essential to select the best seal. Slurry pump seals should be hardened with faces made of one of two materials: silicon carbide or even tungsten carbide. Unique non-clog design that allows for maximum shaft movement without hanging up and flush-free service to a broad variety of slurries. Advanced cooling technology and Monolithic faces to increase equipment reliability.
Slurry Pump Power Sizing
The right slurry pump dimensions and power requirements for your project are vital. Because of the rough nature of slurries, it is essential to select an appropriate size pump to allow the pump to operate at a low enough rate so that it can extend the period of the slurry pump’s lifetime. A good RPM to run a slurry pump at is between 900 and 2000 RPM. If you over this rate and the lifespan of the pump is significantly reduced since the wear points of the slurry pump are hit with sandblasting.
The significance of data could be easily overlooked, especially when it comes to pumps that are already installed and operating at their duty point for a long time. As the site grows it is common for duty points to shift when manufacturing changes to meet market demands. The increase in flow may not be considered to be a significant aspect of certain equipment but concerning the pump, it could move its operation away beyond its most efficient range towards a threshold. Other factors could have negative effects, like changes to the material used for feeding and modifications to pipework, such as dimensions, lengths, and others. This could result in an increase in the loss of friction within the system.
Efficient operation of the pump
The reason pumps can function at their most efficient levels is that it reduces the wear and tear that occurs which in turn extends the duration of their service. It is well-known in the business that slurry pumps are not going to be able of running for a long time because of the work they perform. However, every mine strives to prolong the life of this pump to the maximum extent feasible, and this is achieved by getting near to BEP as possible.
Modest adjustments to flow or head could shift the point of duty across the curve significantly and impact wear life. The shift to left is more than BEP typically due to reductions in flow or head, causing an air recirculation within the pump, meaning that the material moves through the casing in a way that is excessive before being transported along the line. These causes wear and tear because of the additional movement of particles.
Flow
Alternately, the duty point may be moved towards the left in BEP through increasing flow. This could cause problems in the flow rate, which means that the flow through the pump is higher than the capacity of the installed unit that the pump can handle. It can result in greater wear in the discharge portion of the casing as well as on the impeller’s eye which is the initial obstruction that flows encounter upon entering the pump.
In some cases the pump may be adjusted in speed to cope with the changing demands however in other instances it is suggested to modify the size of the pump to better suit the new usage. In the absence of taking these adjustments into account, a good-performing pump can quickly become a hassle to maintain.
Another thing to bear to be aware of is when the pump wears out and gets away from its ideal point, it creates a reflection impact on power consumption. A rise in power consumption results in an increase in the cost of carbon emissions.
Which is the best option for a Slurry Pump?
When deciding between vertical, horizontal, and submersible Slurry pump mounting options many aspects will determine which one fits your needs the most. It all starts with what is compatible with your existing configuration. Horizontal and vertical pumps have their unique characteristics and advantages for industrial pumping needs. The primary difference between these two pumps is their design of the shaft, its footprint in space, and the location where the shaft is located.
Horizontal Slurry Pump
Easy to install and maintain because of the quick access to the pump’s components that allows for quick repair work. Needs more space, because of its bigger footprint when compared with vertical. A horizontally mounted slurry pump will always be situated in the soil. This is by far the most commonly used type of slurry pump that is used in various fields of application it is also compact and simple to maintain.
The horizontal slurry pump is a one-stage horizontal single-suction axial suction centrifugal pump that has high-strength and wear-resistant materials for the overflow components. Based on the types of suction mediums, filter elements comprised of different materials can be swapped.
Horizontal slurry pumps are suitable to convey abrasion-resistant or high-concentration and corrosive fine or large particle slurry. This series of slurry pumps can be extensively used in metallurgy, electric power, mining coal mines, and other industries to move the abrasive slurry which contains a vast amount of solid material.
Vertical Slurry Pump
A vertical slurry pump is a smaller footprint that allows it to be used in difficult-to-access jobs. Flexible is the possibility of a cable being extended straight down, and then placed directly into the medium to move the target material. It is more difficult to repair and more demanding maintenance.
This type of pump is made for half-dry conditions such as pool or sump, the pump body is always submerged in water, and the engine is above. It has a length adjustable shaft linking them.
Submersible Slurry Pump
Submersible Slurry pumps are separated into electric submersible sand pumps as well as hydraulic submersible dredge pumps. Submersible slurry pumps are ideal for transporting liquids using solid particles like slurry, gravel, cinders, and tail.
A submersible pump works through pushing, not by drawing liquid during its pumping procedure. It is highly efficient since it uses the head of the liquid in the submerged area to function and it does not use energy in drawing the liquid to the pump. One benefit of the submersion of the pump is that the motor gets cool by the liquid surrounding it, preventing it from overheating.
Dependability and reliability in operation. Specially designed features that we have in our pumps guarantee unproblematic operation and minimal downtime, which increases the efficiency of the process: Large, high-strength steel shafts are encased in high-performance grease-lubricated bearings inside a self-contained cartridge assembly. Double seal arrangement offers a positive seal to protect bearings from contamination. A proven and reliable gland seal to meet your specific requirements, by employing flushed glands, expellers, or mechanical seal design and complete interchangeability of components to reduce inventory levels. The back pull-out feature enables ease of maintenance and inspection Functional and compact design Metso parts, and pumps are made under the strictest quality control. All of the manufacturing units are ISO certified.
Contact our team at any time should you require assistance with purchasing or want to know more about the technology that is related to it.
