WHAT IS A "SLURRY"?
Slurry is any mixture of fluid, like water, and a pulverized solid. Slurries are used as a convenient way to handle solids in bulk in mining, steel processing, foundries, power generation, and most recently, the Frac Sand mining industry. Slurries generally behave the same way as thick, viscous fluids, flowing under gravity, but also pumped as needed.
Slurries are divided into two general categories: non-settling or settling. Non-settling slurries consist of very fine particles, which give the illusion of increased apparent viscosity. These slurries usually have low wearing properties, but do require very careful consideration when selecting the right pump because they do not behave in the same manner as a normal liquid does.
Settling slurries are formed by coarse particles that tend to form an unstable mixture. Particular attention should be given to flow and power calculations when selecting a pump. The majority of slurry applications are made up of coarse particles and because of this, have higher wear properties.
- Abrasive
- Thick consistency
- Can contain a high amount of solids
- Usually settle quickly
- Require more power to operate than a “water” pump
SLURRY PUMP SELECTION
Selecting the right pump for slurries is critical to get the most bang for your buck. Basic pump components, such as the impeller size and design, material of construction, and discharge configurations must be considered to ensure the pump will hold up against the wear caused by an abrasive slurry. Slurry pumps are generally larger in size when compared to low-viscosity liquid pumps and usually require more horsepower to operate because they're less efficient. Bearings and shafts must be more rugged and rigid as well.
Many types of pumps are used for pumping slurries, but the most common slurry pump is the centrifugal pump (pictured above). The centrifugal slurry pump uses the centrifugal force generated by a rotating impeller to impact kinetic energy to the slurry, similar to how a water-like liquid would move through a standard centrifugal pump.
Contact Information
Katherine Hou
Tel: +86-311-83802338 Cellphone/WeChat/WhatsApp: +86-15028111051 Fax: +86-311-87162902 Email: katherine@naipump.com Skype: katherine_naipump URL: www.naipump.com
