How to Save Money When Buying horizontal slurry pumps

07, Oct. 2024

 

How to Choose a Slurry Pump 101

Critical ' Know Your Application!

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  1. Type of material will be pumped (abrasive materials, sand, sludge, mud, muck, slurry, etc.). Knowing the characteristics of the material is critical for choosing the most suited slurry pump.
  2. Density of material to be pumped (specific gravity ' 2.5 Sg, etc.)
  3. Viscosity of material to be pumped (1,000 centipoise (CPS), etc.).
  4. Operating temperature of material.
  5. The pH level ' pH is a measure of hydrogen-ion concentration. An easy way to remember pH is that a pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 acid, and above 7 alkaline. High chrome steel is well suited for pH levels between 4 and 9. Duplex stainless steel is ideally suited for pH levels less than 3 and above 10.
  6. Flow rate required (example: 500 GPM or 100 cu. yards per hour [cu-yd/h]).
  7. Discharge Head (example: 100 PSIG).
  8. The pump chosen must be able to surpass the total discharge head for the application. This helps to reduce the potential abrasion to the pump and discharge pipeline.
  9. Length of inlet and discharge pipeline (example: 1,000-ft.).
  10. Diameter of inlet and discharge pipeline (example: 4-in., 10-in., 12-in., etc.).
  11. Pipeline material of construction (example: steel, polyvinyl chloride, cast iron, etc.).
  12. Pump elevation in relation to fluid source.
  13. Flooded suction (pump positioned below fluid source).
  14. Submersible suction (pump positioned within fluid source).
  15. Elevated suction (pump positioned above fluid source, the pump must be self-priming).

Match the Best Suited Pump to Your Application Requirements

  1. Pump size must effectively produce a greater flow rate than the critical flow rate of the pump.
  2. Critical flow rate is important when pumping slurries with a concentration of solids. The critical flow rate is the flow rate required to keep the material being pumped from settling on the bottom of the volute. Due to this, the actual flow rate should always be higher than the critical flow rate.
  3. Pump's material of construction (cast iron, stainless steel, high chrome steel, etc.)
  4. The chemical compatibility of the pump must be suitable for the material that is to be pumped. Also, choosing a material that withstands abrasion is very important. Replaceable rubber liners are available that can be installed internally to the pump to assist with reducing abrasion to the inside of the metallic volute casing.
  5. Motor requirements (example: 250 HP).
  6. The power rating of the motor must be higher than the power consumption required. Flow rate, specific gravity, and discharge head are used to determine power consumption.
  7. Consider the economic impact to your profits of having a pump that is capable of producing the desired flow volume, but do it for a lot less cost. Usually, pumps that can move viscous materials with a very low amount of water can save a large amount of money over a short period of time due to reducing the accruing water volume used.

Centrifugal Slurry Pumps For Abrasive Slurries

The key reason these specialized centrifugal pumps offer reliable performance lies in their ability to transport large volumes of slurry with relatively low energy consumption. The centrifugal action, where a rotating impeller creates a flow by converting mechanical energy into kinetic energy, allows for continuous movement of slurries over long distances with reliable operation. Unlike other pump types (including twin screw pumps and other positive displacement pumps), centrifugal slurry pumps can handle large particles, high solids concentrations, and highly viscous fluids without clogging or excessive wear.

Their robust design, including materials like hardened steel or elastomers for critical wear pump components (such as pump shaft, inlet valve, outlet valve, suction hose and pumping chamber), ensures longevity and minimizes downtime, which is crucial in industrial operations where any disruption of fluid flows can lead to significant financial loss. Centrifugal slurry pumps also have the flexibility to be customized for specific applications, such as varying impeller designs or the use of liners to match the slurry's characteristics (including corrosive liquids or abrasive particles), ensuring superior performance and extended service life.

In dredging, for example, these pumps help transport large volumes of sediment, sand, and rocks, perfectly suited to heavy duty applications, land reclamation and navigation maintenance. In mining, they are used for transporting ore slurry in mineral extraction processes. Their reliability, versatility, and ability to move challenging materials make centrifugal slurry pumps indispensable in any slurry applications.

Understanding Slurries

Slurry Composition

A slurry is essentially a mixture of fluid and fine solid particles, and its composition can vary widely depending on the specific application. Generally, slurries are classified into two categories: non-settling and settling. Non-settling slurries consist of very fine particles and have low erosive wear properties, making them easier to pump. On the other hand, settling slurries are formed by coarse particles and have higher wear properties, which can pose more challenges during pumping. The composition of a slurry can include a diverse range of materials such as manure, cement, starch, or coal suspended in water or other liquids. Understanding the specific composition of your slurry is crucial for selecting the right pump and ensuring greater efficiency slurry pumping.

Slurry Properties

Slurries possess several distinct properties that significantly affect their behavior and handling, making standard pumps inappropriate. These properties include:

  • Viscosity: This measures the resistance of the fluid to flow. Higher viscosity means the slurry is thicker and more challenging to pump.
  • Specific Gravity: This is the ratio of the mass of a unit volume of slurry to the density of water at a specific temperature. It indicates how heavy the slurry is compared to water.
  • Particle Size: The size of the particles in the slurry can range from one micron in diameter up to hundreds of millimeters. Larger particles can increase wear on the pump.
  • Density: This refers to the weight of the slurry per unit volume. Higher density slurries are heavier and more difficult to pump.
  • pH: The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the slurry. The pH level can affect the material compatibility of the pump.

Understanding these properties is essential for selecting the right pump and designing an effective slurry pumping system. Each property influences the choice of pump type, material of construction, and overall system design.

Centrifugal Slurry Pump Design and Construction

Centrifugal slurry pumps are specifically designed to handle the heavy and abrasive nature of slurries. Key features of these pumps include:

  • Robust Design: They typically feature a heavy-duty casing and impeller to withstand the harsh conditions of slurry pumping.

  • Large Internal Passage: A large, open internal passage helps reduce wear and tear on the pump by allowing larger particles to pass through without causing damage.

  • Slow-Turning, High-Efficiency Impeller: This design reduces internal velocities, maximizing wear life and improving efficiency.

  • Patented WRT Technology: This technology enhances wear performance and reduces the consumption of wear parts, extending the pump's operational life.

  • Cartridge-Style Bearing Assembly: This feature allows for easy maintenance and prolongs bearing life, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

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  • Ductile-Iron, Fully-Lined Casing: Robust pump casing and lining materials offer enhanced durability, strength, and safety, ensuring the pump can handle the demanding conditions of slurry pumping applications.

The design and construction of a centrifugal slurry pump are critical to its performance and longevity. By incorporating these robust features, centrifugal slurry pumps can effectively handle the challenges of pumping abrasive and heavy slurries, ensuring reliable and efficient operation in various slurry pumping applications.

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!

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

 

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