china gold mining dredge pump factories

Non-settling slurries consist of very fine particles that do not settle to the bottom of the pipe and do not settle for very long (i.e. weeks).

Types of damage to slurry pumps

To reduce component wear, most centrifugal slurry pumps run at fairly low speeds - typically less than 1200 rpm. Find the optimum position that allows the pump to run as slowly as possible but fast enough to prevent solids from settling out of the slurry deposit and clogging the lines.

As wear is a function of speed, slurry pumps should be operated at the lowest possible speed; units typically run at 1,200 rpm or less. Often, direct coupling between the pump and a low-speed motor or other drive makes the most sense. On the other hand, many other applications favour gearboxes to meet the required speed and operating point. In services where variable flow rates are required, variable frequency drives are used to provide the necessary continuous speed variation.

Selecting the right pump for slurries is critical to get the most bang for your buck. Basic pump components, such as the impeller size and design, material of construction, and discharge configurations must be considered to ensure the pump will hold up against the wear caused by an abrasive slurry. Slurry pumps are generally larger in size when compared to low-viscosity liquid pumps and usually require more horsepower to operate because they're less efficient. Bearings and shafts must be more rugged and rigid as well.

- Hydraulic efficiency is as important as the material, as efficiency is related to wear. The swept-back design of the impeller blades minimises the separation of solids from the carrying fluid, resulting in a more uniform flow. This results in a slower wear rate.