Slurry pump and its types

A slurry pump is a pump designed to pump liquids that contain solid particles.Slurry pumps vary in design and construction to accommodate many types of slurries that vary in solids concentration, solid particle size,solid particle shape,and solution composition. Slurry pumps are stronger than liquid pumps;they have added sacrificial material and replaceable wear parts to withstand the wear and tear caused by abrasion.Centrifugal,positive displacement and vortex pumps can be used for slurries.Centrifugal slurry pumps can have split casings or rubber or metal lined casings between the bearing support shafts.Configurations include horizontal, vertical suspension and submersible.Slurries are usually classified according to the concentration of solids.The engineering classification of slurries is more complex and involves concentration,particle size,shape and weight to determine wear severity.For the engineering selection of the slurry pump,the slurry is divided into 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th grades.The selection of slurry pumps is more difficult than that of water pumps and liquid pumps.Many factors and corrections to the operating point can affect brake horsepower and wear. Roots Powered Centrifugal Slurry Pumps (ANSI/HI 12.1-12.6-2016) provides calculation methods for slurry pumps.The peripheral speed of the impeller is one of the main characteristics and classifications of the slurry pump.Velocity must comply with slurry type classification (abrasion classification) in order to maintain a reasonable service life due to high abrasiveness of solids.Before selecting the proper slurry pump, engineers consider capacity,head,solids handling capacity,efficiency and power,speed and NPSH.Slurry pumps are widely used in mining, dredging,steel and other industries to transport abrasive solids.They are generally designed for heavy wear and heavy duty use.Depending on the mining process,some slurries are corrosive,which presents challenges because corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel are softer than high-iron steel.The most common metal alloy used to make slurry pumps is called "high chrome",which is basically white iron to which 25% chromium has been added to reduce its brittleness.Rubber line sleeves are also used in some applications where solids are small. 

Components

Impeller:

The impeller,which can be elastomeric,stainless steel or high chrome material,is the main rotating part,usually with blades to transmit centrifugal force to the liquid.

Casing

Cast split case halves contain wear resistant liners and provide high working pressure capability.The shape of the casing is generally semi-volute or concentric,and the efficiency is lower than that of the volute.

Shaft and Bearing Assemblies

Large diameter shafts with short overhangs minimize deflection and vibration.Heavy-duty roller bearings are mounted in removable bearing cartridges.

Bushing

A hardened,heavy-duty,corrosion-resistant sleeve with O-ring seals on both ends protects the shaft.Split fit allows for quick sleeve removal or installation.

Shaft seal:

Impeller drive seal,packing seal,mechanical seal.

Drive type

V-belt drive,gear reducer drive,hydraulic coupling drive,frequency conversion drive.

Types               

Submersible:

Submersible slurry pumps are placed at the bottom of tanks,lagoons,ponds or other water-filled environments and suck in solids and liquids at the pump itself.Material is sucked in at the inlet and through a hose connected to the discharge valve.

Self-priming

Self-priming mud pumps operate on land with a hose connected to the suction valve of the pump.Self-priming pumps suck the mud into the pump and discharge the material from there.

Submerged inhalation

Flooded suction mud pumps are attached to a tank or hopper and use gravity to move mud and liquid out of the casing.The pump is located at the bottom of the water or below the water surface,and the pump is continuously filled by gravity,and then the material is discharged through the discharge valve.