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Sludge Pumps vs Slurry Pumps | Pump & Plant

What is Sludge?

Sludge is defined as a thick, semi-solid substance formed from a mixture of suspended materials and water. It’s usually made up of organic matter or other byproducts. The suspended particulates and materials are small, giving sludge a fairly consistent texture.

What is Slurry?

Slurry, on the other hand, consists of water with larger suspended materials. It can be a byproduct of other processes or created deliberately in order to transport materials. Slurry is commonly used as a means of transporting and spreading fertiliser in agriculture.

The best way to visualise the difference between sludge and slurry is with food. Think of sludge as a soup, with all the ingredients boiled down and mixed, and slurry as a stew, with larger pieces of meat and vegetables suspended in broth.

What is a Sludge Pump?

Sludge pumps are designed to handle thick substances with a consistent viscosity, usually without larger particles or lumps.

They can typically cope with abrasive particulates and provide consistent pressure in order to shift more challenging materials. They’re perfect for a range of applications, including wastewater treatment and construction sites.

What is a Slurry Pump?

A slurry pump, by contrast, is designed to move watery suspensions with larger pieces of material up to 60 mm in diameter. Their components are durable enough to withstand abrasions and cope with heavy use and challenging conditions.

Slurry pumps have a broad selection of uses but are commonly found in agricultural and mining settings as well as commercial and industrial applications. They are capable of moving even more difficult materials over considerable distances and over elevated sites.

Are Slurry Pumps and Sludge Pumps Submersible?

Yes. All the sludge and slurry pumps we stock for sale and hire here at Pump & Plant are submersible. Most pumps of this kind are, as it allows them to more easily draw in thicker substances.

As well as being submersible, our range of slurry and sludge pumps are all lightweight for easy handling and transportation and are capable of operating for long periods of time without issue.