Guide to Slurry Pump Selection

If you've ever pumped a slurry, you know it can be one of the most challenging fluids to work with. It is abrasive, viscous, sometimes corrosive, and contains a lot of solids. There's no doubt that the slurry on the pump is hard. But the more you know about what's being pumped, the better your pump selection will be, resulting in longer mean time between failures. Next, the slurry pump supplier will share the following content with you.

What is a "slurry"?

A slurry is any mixture of a fluid (such as water) and a powdery solid. Slurries are used as a convenient way to handle bulk solids in the mining, steel processing, foundry, power generation and, more recently, frac sand mining industries. Slurries typically behave like viscous viscous fluids, flowing under gravity, but can also be pumped as needed.

Slurries are divided into two main categories: non-settling or settling. Non-settling slurries consist of very fine particles, giving the illusion of increased apparent viscosity. These slurries usually have low wear characteristics, but require very careful consideration when selecting the right pump, as they behave differently from ordinary liquids.

Settling slurries are formed by coarse particles, which tend to form unstable mixtures. Special attention should be paid to flow and power calculations when selecting a pump. Most slurry applications consist of coarse particles and therefore have a higher abrasion resistance.

Light-duty Slurry Pump

Slurry Pump Selection

Choosing the right pump for your slurry is critical to getting the most out of it. Basic pump components such as impeller size and design, materials of construction and discharge configuration must be considered to ensure that the pump can withstand the wear caused by abrasive slurries. Compared to low-viscosity liquid pumps, slurry pumps are typically larger and often require more horsepower to operate because they are less efficient. Bearings and shafts must also be more robust and durable.

Many types of pumps are used to pump slurry, but the most common slurry pump is the centrifugal pump. Centrifugal slurry pumps use centrifugal force from a rotating impeller to impinge kinetic energy on the slurry, similar to the way watery liquids pass through a standard centrifugal pump.  

WL Series Light-duty pumps are cantilevered, horizontal centrifugal slurry pumps. They are suitable for delivering low density slurries for metallurgical, mining, coal and building material departments. The shaft seal adopts both gland seal and centrifugal seal.

If you have experience pumping slurry, you know it is not an easy task. Slurries are heavy and difficult to pump. They can cause excessive wear on the pump and its components, and if they don't move fast enough, they can clog the suction and discharge lines. Most importantly, it can be a challenge to keep a slurry pump in use for a reasonable period of time. However, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your slurry pump and reduce the challenges of pumping slurry.

Find the best position that allows the pump to run as slowly as possible (to reduce wear) but fast enough to prevent solids from settling and clogging the piping.

To reduce wear, reduce the pump discharge pressure to the lowest possible point.

Follow proper piping principles to ensure consistent and uniform delivery of mud to the pump.

Pumping slurry can present some challenges and problems, but with proper engineering and equipment selection, you can experience years of trouble-free operation. It's important to work with a qualified engineer when selecting a slurry pump, because slurry can wreak havoc on a pump if not selected properly.

If you want to get more information about the slurry pumps for sale, welcome to contact us.