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A slurry pump is a heavy-duty pump designed to transport abrasive, viscous fluids containing 5–70% solids, such as sand, gravel, or tailings. Unlike standard pumps, slurry pumps feature reinforced components to withstand wear, achieving 6–12-month wear life for critical parts. Key characteristics include:
Materials: High-chrome (27–30% Cr, 650–750 BHN), rubber (R55), polyurethane (U38), or ceramic for 95% abrasion resistance.
Flow Rate: 10–100,000 GPM (2.3–22,712 m³/h).
Head: 10–325 ft (3–99 m).
Power: 1–1,000 HP (0.75–746 kW).
Solids Handling: Up to 270 mm (10.6 in) particles, with 60% solids by weight.
Applications: Mining (40%), wastewater (25%), dredging (15%), chemical processing (10%).
Slurry types are classified by solids content and abrasiveness:
Class 1 (Mildly Abrasive): <0.2 mm particles, e.g., paper pulp.
Class 2 (Slightly Abrasive): 0.2–1 mm particles, e.g., fine sand.
Class 3 (Significantly Abrasive): 1–5 mm particles, e.g., coal slurry.
Class 4 (Highly Abrasive): >5 mm particles, e.g., gravel or tailings.
This guide details the main slurry pump types, their specifications, and their suitability for various applications.
Centrifugal slurry pumps, accounting for 70% of the market, use a rotating impeller to generate centrifugal force, propelling slurry through the pump casing. They are versatile, handling moderate to high flow rates (10–100,000 GPM) and heads up to 325 ft.
Impeller Design: Open or semi-open impellers (high-chrome, rubber) reduce clogging by 85%.
Casing: Metal (Cr26–28%) or rubber-lined, with split casings for 30% faster maintenance.
Configurations: Horizontal (e.g., Warman AH), vertical (e.g., Warman SP), or multistage for high-pressure applications.
Seals: Expeller, mechanical, or gland seals, achieving 99% leak prevention.
Efficiency: 85–90% hydraulic efficiency, saving 10–15% energy ($1,000–$10,000/year for 100 HP).
Flow Rate: 10–100,000 GPM (2.3–22,712 m³/h).
Head: 10–325 ft (3–99 m).
Power: 5–1,000 HP (3.7–746 kW).
Solids Handling: Up to 254 mm (10 in).
Materials: High-chrome (A05), rubber (R55), or polyurethane (U38).
Mining: Cyclone feed (20%), tailings (30%), mill discharge (25%).
Dredging: Sand and gravel extraction, handling 30–50% solids.
Chemical Processing: Corrosive slurries, e.g., acids with 90% corrosion resistance.
Pros: High efficiency (85–90%), versatile, handles large solids, 95% uptime.
Cons: Higher maintenance for corrosive slurries, cavitation risk at high flow.
Submersible slurry pumps operate fully submerged, eliminating priming needs and handling slurries in deep pits or underwater environments. They hold a 15% market share, ideal for dredging and wastewater.
Design: Integrated pump and motor, sealed for 100% submersion.
Impellers: Vortex or open impellers handle up to 80 mm solids without clogging.
Materials: High-chrome or stainless steel for 95% abrasion/corrosion resistance.
Agitators: Optional agitators resuspend solids, improving efficiency by 20%.
Flow Rate: 50–2,000 GPM (11–454 m³/h).
Head: 10–100 ft (3–30 m).
Power: 5–75 HP (3.7–56 kW).
Solids Handling: Up to 80 mm (3.15 in).
Depth: Operates up to 30 m submerged.
Dredging: Sand and sediment pumping, e.g., riverbeds (35% solids).
Wastewater: Sludge handling in treatment plants (20% solids).
Mining: Dewatering pits with 40% solids.
Pros: No priming, compact, handles high solids, 90% reliability.
Cons: Limited head, higher maintenance in corrosive environments.
Vertical slurry pumps, with a 10% market share, feature a vertical shaft and impeller, typically used in sumps or tanks with minimal solids contact with seals. They are ideal for space-constrained applications.
Design: Cantilever or submersible, with no submerged bearings for 30% less maintenance.
Impellers: Open or semi-open, reducing clogging by 80%.
Materials: High-chrome or rubber-lined for 90% abrasion resistance.
Flow Rate: 50–2,000 GPM (11–454 m³/h).
Head: 10–100 ft (3–30 m).
Power: 5–100 HP (3.7–75 kW).
Solids Handling: Up to 50 mm (2 in).
Sump Depth: Up to 6 m (20 ft).
Mining: Sump dewatering, tailings transfer (30% solids).
Chemical Processing: Corrosive slurries, e.g., acids.
Power Generation: Ash handling (20% solids).
Pros: Space-saving, low maintenance, 95% uptime.
Cons: Limited head and solids size, not suited for long-distance transport.
Positive displacement pumps, holding a 5% market share, use sealed cavities to trap and displace slurry, ideal for viscous, high-density slurries requiring precise flow control. Types include diaphragm, piston, and screw pumps.
Design: Diaphragm or piston mechanisms for 95% flow accuracy.
Materials: Stainless steel or polyurethane for 90% corrosion resistance.
Seals: Mechanical or diaphragm seals, ensuring 99% leak prevention.
Flow Rate: 1–500 GPM (0.2–113 m³/h).
Head: Up to 800 ft (244 m).
Power: 1–50 HP (0.75–37 kW).
Solids Handling: Up to 25 mm (1 in).
Viscosity: Up to 10,000 cP.
Chemical Processing: Precise dosing of corrosive slurries.
Food Processing: Viscous slurries, e.g., fruit purees.
Mining: High-density tailings.
Pros: High pressure, precise flow, handles viscous slurries.
Cons: Lower flow rates, higher maintenance for moving parts.
Overview: Designed for large particles (up to 270 mm), used in dredging and sand extraction.
Specs: 100–2,000 m³/h, 10–60 m head, 10–100 HP.
Applications: Sand/gravel dredging, mining.
Overview: Built for long-distance transport (>500 m), used in mining and oil/gas.
Specs: 200–2,000 m³/h, 34–100 m head, 50–500 HP.
Applications: Fracking, tailings transport.
Overview: Powered by hydraulic systems, ideal for remote sites.
Specs: 50–1,000 m³/h, 10–50 m head, 15–75 kW.
Applications: Emergency dewatering, tailings.
Solids Content: 5–30% for centrifugal, 30–70% for positive displacement.
Particle Size: <5 mm for centrifugal, up to 270 mm for gravel pumps.
Abrasiveness: Class 1–2 for rubber-lined centrifugal, Class 3–4 for high-chrome.
Corrosiveness: pH 4–9 suits high-chrome, pH <4 or >9 needs stainless steel.
Flow Rate: Match pump capacity to system needs (e.g., 500 GPM for medium-scale mining).
Head: High-head pumps for long distances, low-head for sumps.
Efficiency: 85–90% for centrifugal, 95% for positive displacement.
High-Chrome (A05): 95% abrasion resistance, 50–100-year lifespan.
Rubber (R55): 90% corrosion resistance, 5–15 years.
Polyurethane (U38): Balanced abrasion/corrosion resistance, 10–20 years.
Ceramic: 98% wear resistance for extreme conditions.
Submerged: Submersible pumps for pits or dredging.
Space Constraints: Vertical pumps for sumps.
Remote Sites: Hydraulic pumps for off-grid operations.
Maintenance: Centrifugal (6–12 months), positive displacement (3–6 months).
Cost: Centrifugal ($2,000–$50,000), submersible ($5,000–$25,000), positive displacement ($5,000–$20,000).
Slurry pump types—centrifugal, submersible, vertical, positive displacement, gravel, high-pressure, and hydraulic—cater to diverse applications in mining, wastewater, and dredging. Centrifugal pumps ($2,000–$50,000) offer high flow and versatility, submersible ($5,000–$25,000) excel in deep pits, vertical ($3,000–$20,000) suit sumps, and positive displacement ($5,000–$20,000) provide precise dosing. By matching pump type to slurry properties, performance needs, and environment, buyers can achieve 95% reliability and save 15–20% on costs.
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