 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2025) |
A slurry pump is a type of pump designed for moving liquid containing substantial solid particles. They are often used in mining. [1] Slurry pumps are more robust than liquid pumps and can withstand wear due to abrasion, and often use parts that are designed to be replaced when worn out.
Slurry pumps are widely used in transport of abrasive solids in industries such as mining, dredging, and steel. They are often designed to be suitable for heavy-wearing and heavy-duty uses. Depending on the mining process, some slurries are corrosive which presents a challenge because corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel are softer than high-iron steel.
Slurry is usually classified according to the concentration of solids. Engineering classification of slurry is more complex and involves concentration, particle size, shape and weight in order to determine abrasion severity. For engineering selection of slurry pumps, slurry is classified as class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4.
The most common metal alloy used to build slurry pumps is high chrome, which is white iron with 25% chromium added to make it less brittle. Rubber line casings are used for applications where the solid particles are small.
Slurry pumps vary in design and construction to handle different types of slurry, which has varying concentrations of solids, size and shape of solid particles, and composition of the solution. Centrifugal, positive displacement, and vortex pumps can be used for slurry. Centrifugal slurry pumps can have between bearing-supported shafts with split casing or rubber- or metal-lined casing. Configurations include horizontal, vertical suspended and submersible.
Engineers must consider capacity, head, solids handling capacity, efficiency, power, speed, and NPSH. Many factors and corrections to the duty point affect the calculation of brake horsepower and wear. [3] The peripheral speed of the impeller is one of the main distinguishing features. Speed must match the slurry type classification (abrasion classification) in order to achieve a reasonable service life due to abrasion.
