How to Choose Slurry Pumps?

Choosing the right pump for your slurry application can be a daunting task due to the balance of many factors including pressure, flow rate, abrasiveness, viscosity, particle size and particle type.

There are several types of pumps suitable for pumping slurries, but there are some important factors to consider before deciding which technology to use. You can follow these four simple steps to determine which type of slurry pump is best for your particular application.

1. Determine the Nature of the Material Being Pumped

Consider the following.
Size, shape and hardness of the particles (which affect the potential for wear and corrosion of the pump components), corrosiveness of the slurry.

2. Consider the pump components

If it is a centrifugal pump, is the design and material used to manufacture the impeller adequate to pump the slurry?
What types of materials are used to manufacture the pump?
Are the pump discharge components suitable for the slurry being pumped?
What is the best sealing method for this application?
Is it possible for solids to size through the pump?
How much solids loss will the consumer sustain?

It is also important to consider the chemical compatibility of the slurry with any elastomers in the pump. Once you have addressed the nature of the slurry and the various types of pump components, you are ready to select a potential candidate slurry pump for the application.

3. Determine the size of the pump

The most important aspect of this calculation is to determine the pump horsepower required to achieve a specific fluid flow rate at the desired or required differential pressure. Consider the following.

The concentration of solids in the slurry expressed as a percentage of the total volume.
The full length of the piping. The longer the length of the pipe, the more slurry-induced friction the pump must overcome.
Slurry pipe diameter.
The static head is the height to which the slurry in the piping system must rise.

4. Determine the operating parameters of the pump

Most centrifugal slurry pumps run at moderate speeds, usually less than 1200 rpm, to prevent component wear. Find the optimum location where the pump can run slowly enough to prevent solids from settling out of the slurry deposit and clogging the line, but fast enough to prevent solids from settling out of the slurry deposit and clogging the line.

Then, to further reduce wear, reduce the discharge pressure of the pump to the lowest setting available. To ensure uniform and consistent delivery of slurry to the pump, use appropriate piping arrangements and design criteria.

Are you interested in learning more about slurry pumps and pump parts and how they can benefit you? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!