4 Slurry Pump Tips You Need to Know

Slurry is one of the most challenging fluids to work with. It is highly abrasive, viscous, sometimes corrosive, and contains a high concentration of solids. So operating a slurry pump correctly can have a significant impact on long-term performance.

Slurry Pumps Have the Following Characteristics.

Abrasive material.
Thick consistency.
May contain large amounts of solids.
Usually settles down quickly.
Requires more power to operate than "water" pumps.

Here Are Four Tips That Every Pump Operator Should Know when Using a Slurry Pump.

1. A Simple Way to Avoid Cavitation.

Do you hear a popping sound when your mud pump is running? If it sounds like popcorn, you'll hear steam chamber implosions - they're as destructive as they are noisy. These tiny cavities form when the absolute pressure at the impeller eye reaches the vapor pressure of the liquid. Their continuous bursting can cause costly damage to your impellers and bearings.

Avoiding cavitation is easy if you have the right pump. You need to know the critical suction pressure - or net positive suction head (NPSH) - required for your system and choose a slurry pump that operates at that pressure.

2. Install the Snap Ring Gasket - Instantly!

The snap ring gasket on the pump seals the joint between the suction bushing and the pump housing. To replace it, make sure the part number is facing outward, lubricate it with a non-petroleum based lubricant (such as detergent or baby powder), and make sure it is facing the correct direction. Then, making sure this trapezoidal washer is in the correct position is simple: pull it up and if it "snaps" back into place, it is installed correctly.

3. Simplify Impeller Removal.

When you only have one washer, the torque generated at startup can cause it to stick to the impeller and shaft, making it difficult to separate during maintenance. However, we have a quick and easy solution: simply use two aramid washers between the impeller and the shaft sleeve instead of one. This way, one washer will be bonded to the shaft and the other to the impeller, making disassembly quick and easy.

4. Make Sure Your Nose Slit is Right on the Nose.

This may be a small maintenance task, but correct and regular adjustment of your nose clearance can easily double or triple the wear life of your parts! The correct clearance is very small and allows the pump to maintain high pressure on the outside of the impeller and low pressure at the eye. However, as the pump runs, that nose clearance gradually increases, disrupting pressure distribution and encouraging recirculation of particles around the impeller suction shroud.

To avoid wear on the impeller and suction liner, adjust the nose clearance once a week. First loosen the retaining bolt on the back of the bearing assembly, then use the adjusting screw and nut to move the bearing assembly forward until it contacts the bushing, taking care to slowly back it off to the specified distance for your pump.

If you want to know more information about slurry pumps, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.