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 it will not pump the higher viscosity, abrasive, heavy, solid-laden fluid at all, rendering 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 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 the 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. This 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 larger with 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 should also have a reduced surface finish on the inside to minimize pipe friction loss. This 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 for any pump but especially when pumping slurries and fluids with high specific gravity and viscosity. Thicker, heavier fluids require a more significant amount of power and force to move the fluid or material to the desired final location.

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

6. Pump Operating Cost

Another important consideration that most pump users do 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 its service duration. This involves not only the energy the motor uses but also 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. In applications where the pump is positioned above the fluid to be pumped, the pump cannot be located higher than its ability to draw the liquid into the intake. If the pump is positioned at an elevation greater than its ability to draw the fluid, it will not achieve prime, and the desired flow rate won’t be reached. In the worst-case scenario, the pump will not pump the fluid at all.

8. Pump Orientation

One last point to mention is pump 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, but vertical orientation can be better suited when a pump is used in a smaller space.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of ceramic slurry pump. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.