Horizontal centrifugal pumps are commonly used for slurry service, but vertical and other types of pumps are better suited to certain specific applications. Centrifugal pumps for handling slurries have features tailored to specific services that reflect the corrosive or abrasive nature of the slurry and the concentration of solids. These may include the choice of materials, the use of liners or even different drive sizes.

In this article, we will present practical guidelines and rules for slurry centrifugal pumps. We will also discuss key operating characteristics, material selection and other considerations.

- Low noise level - Operating underwater results in low noise or even silent operation.

When pumping slurry in wet sand applications, we must evaluate the abrasive particles flowing through the piping and then assess how they affect the slurry pump. If the pump is lined with poor quality rubber, the particles will not rebound effectively and, as a result, the rubber will begin to break down. The air shavings then begin to accelerate and negatively impact the efficiency of the pump, often leading to turbulence.

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.