high quality centrifugal slurry pump parts factories

Underwater installation

If a centrifugal pump, is the design and material used to construct the impeller suitable for pumping slurries?

First, what is a slurry? A slurry is a semi-liquid mixture, usually consisting of fine particles. Examples of slurries can include manure, cement, starch, or coal suspended in water. There are countless other combinations that can be considered slurries. Because of the added particles and thicker consistency, special pump requirements should be considered. A standard pump may be able to handle the fluid, but not as effectively as a properly sized slurry pump.

Mixers can also help agitators when pumping very dense particles. In applications where the tank is small and/or where pumping is desired to lower the water level in the tank, a slurry pump with an internal cooling system should be considered to avoid overheating of the stator (when the water level gets low). When pumping sediment from a dam or lagoon, consider the use of a raft unit, which is a submersible device. Agitators are recommended, as well as one or more mixers that can be mounted on the raft or pump to resuspend particles for successful pumping of particles.

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.

Other manufacturers looking for differentiation, if not the end result, may choose to add a small part to their pump assembly in the description, thus allowing in-line adjustment of the wear ring in the suction side lining assembly.