Top 8 Considerations for Selecting a Slurry Pump

Top 8 Slurry Pump Considerations

The following is a list of 8 considerations for choosing a slurry pump best suited for a slurry application.  Selecting a pump for a slurry application is more difficult than for an application involving thinner fluids.  If a mistake is made in the pump selection process, the pump chosen will most likely not work well, or will not pump the higher viscosity, abrasive, heavy, solid laden fluid at all, which renders the new pump useless!

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1. Know the Material or Fluid Being Pumped

The fluid or material type and its characteristics are among the most important considerations.  Is it a slurry, mud, sand, etc.

• Fluid viscosity of the material, usually measured in centipoise (CPS).
• Density of fluid, usually measured as specific gravity (Sg)
• The pH level, which is the measure of hydrogen-ion concentration.
• Static and operating temperature of the fluid.

2. Pump Flow Rate
   • Flow rate is another important factor for selecting the best-suited pump for a slurry application. The pump must be capable of exceeding the required flow rate to ensure desired flow rates are achievable (example of flow rate: 350 GPM or 200 cu. yards per hour {cu-yd/h}).
   • The flow rate of the pump must not only achieve the required flow rate of the application, but it must also be more than something called the critical flow rate. The critical flow rate is the constant flow rate required to maintain the suspended particles and solids in the slurry.  Maintaining suspension of particles and solids helps to avoid the heavy portion of the fluid from settling at the bottom of the wetted path, as well as from settling at the bottom of the discharge piping.
   • Flow velocity is a critical consideration; the material must move at a consistent velocity through the piping to keep the slurry, particles, and solid-laden material suspended so it does not settle and cause clogging.

3. Materials of Construction

The materials that the pump is made of are necessary because the pump must be chemically compatible with the fluid being pumped.  If the pump’s materials of construction and the liquid are not consistent, it can cause the pump to either melt down or crack, resulting in catastrophic failure of the pump, and can also cause damage to the immediate area surrounding the application and cause injury to workers.

The pump must also handle the abrasive characteristics of the fluid being pumped.  If not, abrasive fluids can scour through the pump casing and cause premature wear of the internal pump components such as the rotor or impeller.

4. Inlet & Discharge Pipe Considerations

Pipe length, diameter, and the type of material of the piping are essential factors that are often not strongly considered when constructing a pumping system.

• Pipe length is essential because the more significant the size of the pipe, the more fluid or material build-up will occur, requiring a more substantial amount of motor power to enable the pump to continue pushing the fluid or material to its final destination.
• Pipe diameter should be sized considering two factors, reducing discharge head pressure and maintaining sufficient fluid or material velocity to avoid clogging of the discharge pipe. Regarding both reducing discharge head and maintaining adequate fluid velocity, the rule of thumb is to go more extensive on the pipe diameter, which will help to alleviate the adverse effects of both factors.
• Pipe material should not only be chemically compatible with the fluid or material being pumped, but when selecting piping that has a reduced surface finish at the inside of the piping, it can also minimize pipe friction loss which can result in less energy required to pump the fluid or material to its final destination. The surface finish measure is denoted as Ra, which stands for Roughness Average.

5. Motor Power

Motor power, usually indicated by horsepower (HP), is important on any pump but wildly when pumping slurries and fluids with high specific gravity and viscosity because thicker, heavier fluids require a more significant amount of power and force to move the fluid or material to the desired final location.

The motor power must also be sufficient enough to overcome any forces within the discharge piping downstream of the pump.  These forces within the discharge piping could be a result of pipe components such as tees, bends, and upward grades that create something that is referred to as discharge head pressure which is measured in PSIG.

6. Pump Operating Cost

Another important consideration that most pump user does not think about is the cost and economic impact of the pump.  Having the best-suited pump for an application also includes how much money it requires to keep that pump running for whatever duration it is in service.  It not only has the energy the motor uses but also involves selecting a pump that can move viscous material with low amounts of water or accompanying fluids.

Water and accompanying fluids used to make pumping viscous solid laden material possible can cost a lot of money.  If these fluids can be reduced, it can save thousands of dollars on operating expenses.

7. Pump Elevation

The pump must be located in a manner that does not hinder its operation of the pump.  In applications where the pump is positioned above the fluid to be pumped, the pump cannot be located higher than the pump’s ability to draw the liquid into the pump intake.  If the pump is positioned at an elevation that is greater than the pump’s ability to remove the fluid into the pump, the result will be that the pump will not achieve prime, and the desired flow rate will not be reached, or even worse, the pump will not pump the fluid at all.

8. Pump Orientation

One last point to mention is pumped orientation.  Pumps can be purchased with several different orientation options.  The most common are vertical and horizontal, which refers to pump shaft orientation.  Depending on the specific application, vertical and horizontal pump orientations can be the better choice.  Horizontal orientation is the most purchased orientation, but vertical orientation can be better suited when a pump is used in a smaller space.

The slurry business is a complex industry filled with myriad physical, economic, and legal considerations. As a project manager, choosing a proven, American-made slurry system can go a long way towards preventing clogs and breakdowns, ensuring your system remains a profitable and resilient wastewater solution.   

However, not every system is built to handle the same loads or manage slurry in the same way. Understanding the different slurry pump and filtration system options on the market will help you find the right system for your project.  

Choosing a Slurry Pump

 

 

Slurry pumps come in various lengths, elevations, and materials. Be sure the pump you choose will perform at your specifications and can integrate well into your existing system.  

Types of Slurry Pumps

 

 

Not all slurry pumps are used for the same purposes or at the same processing stages. The first thing to consider when browsing the pump market is what kind of pump you need—horizontal, vertical, or submersible.   

Horizontal Pump

 

Horizontal slurry pumps move slurry parallel to the ground and handle highly abrasive or corrosive slurries with ease. Because they’re so durable, horizontal pumps are popular in heavy industry, including mining, metallurgy, and power generation.  

Vertical Pump

 

Vertical pumps are used to transport materials to different elevations. Often (but not always), a vertical pump will be partially submerged in a slurry pool to transport its contents to different parts of the project site. 

Submersible Pump

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Submersible pumps are fully immersed in slurry. They are specially designed and built to handle the rigors of operating within a liquid, but they can degrade quickly, especially if your slurry is highly acidic.  

Slurry Pump Materials 

Consider what material you will be pumping. Some pumps are perfect for moving sand and mud, while others are more suited to processing sludge and other waste. Before making a purchase, ensure the pump’s material can handle the density, pH, viscosity, and temperature of the material you process.  

Flow Rate

 

Different pumps process materials at different speeds, and the flow rate that’s best for your system will depend on what materials you process and during what stage of processing the pump will be used. For example, slurries that contain a lot of solids need to be pumped at a higher flow rate to prevent material from settling inside the pump and its connected hoses.  

Discharge Head

 

Any slurry pump you choose needs to be able to exceed the discharge head of your entire discharge system; otherwise, the system will not operate at peak efficiency and may suffer abrasion.  

Knowing the answer to these questions before you make a purchase will help you choose the best pump for your operation and avoid the costs associated with an inefficient or damaged slurry system.  

Integrating Your Pump into a Wastewater Filtration System

 

After you’ve selected a pump, you can pair it with a new or existing filtration system to optimize your entire water treatment process. Full Circle Water offers many different water filtration systems, including industrial slurry silos, portable filtration plants, and rapid resettlement systems.   

All-in-One Plants

 

All-in-One slurry silo filtration systems are turnkey solutions designed to provide efficient wastewater decanting regardless of the type of operation you run. Full Circle Water’s All-in-One system was designed based on feedback from over 600 stone fabricators and is among our smartest and most effective slurry silo plants.  

Trailer Plants

 

Trailer filtration systems are designed to offer clean water on-the-go. Their compact, portable design makes them ideal for projects that need to set up or tear down quickly.  

Rapid Settlement Systems

 

Wastewater decanting is one of the most important phases in any slurry management system. Rapid resettlement systems are designed to recycle up to 90 percent of wastewater and feed it back into production, ensuring your operation never has to wait for water again.  

Find the Right Slurry System with Full Circle Water

 

 

Full Circle Water offers both turnkey and customizable slurry treatment systems. We seek innovative solutions and have a passion for helping our customers find the best systems for their industry.  

Contact us today to get started.  

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