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Selecting a dredge pump

As the slurry is collected at the bottom of the tower, more rubber lined pumps are required to transfer the slurry to storage tanks, tailings ponds, waste treatment facilities or filter presses. Depending on the type of FGD process, other pump models are available for slurry discharge, pre-scrubber recovery and catch basin applications.

Sites often rely on centrifugal pumps to provide slurry service. These pumps (and their associated piping systems) require special provisions that demand detailed knowledge of the properties of solids and slurries to prevent wear, corrosion, erosion and other adverse effects such as solids settling. Specifying the optimum combination of speed, geometry and material requires a proper balance of often conflicting pump priorities; this requires consideration of stable operation, maximum wear life, operational flexibility and minimum energy consumption.

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.

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.

If you have experience pumping slurries, you know it's not an easy task. Slurries are heavy and difficult to pump. They cause excessive wear on pumps and their components and are known to clog suction and discharge lines if not moving fast enough. Most importantly, it’s a challenge to make slurry pumps last for a reasonable amount of time. But, there are a few things you can do to extend the life of your slurry pump and make pumping slurry less of a challenge.