Choosing the right slurry pumps in Australia for your application can be a daunting task. You can find these pumps in nearly all industries. They play an important role in different processes. The main aspects you need to look for when choosing the right pumps include pump design, deployment of the pump, construction materials, correct pump power sizing and pump seal.

Pump design

You should consider the right pump design to ensure that the corrosive and abrasive aspects of the slurry don’t destroy the impeller. A sludge or slurry may contain large solids that will clog different types of pumps. Most centrifugal pumps for pumping slurry have an impeller that has a tolerance to the volute but the corrosive nature of the slurry can wear the volute and damage the tolerance. This makes the pump lose its suction capability which in turn causes massive downtime with pumps along with costly spare and maintenance costs.

Construction material

You should consider the proper material for your pump. This will help you choose the right pump that will be able to handle the slurry without problems. The best construction material for highly abrasive slurry is the Hi-Chrome.

This has the highest hardness that can withstand the abrasiveness of the slurry. It is best to choose a duplex stainless steel construction if the slurry isn’t just abrasive but also corrosive. This material is best for pumps to withstand caustic materials such as acid whilst still having a higher Brinell level.

Deployment method

You need to consider the deployment method of the slurry pumps you are considering. Knowing the right deployment will help you determine the right setup. The main pump deployment methods are flooded suction pumps, submersible pumps and self-priming pumps.

Flooded suction deployment involves the positioning of the fluid being pumped above the pump. Gravity can feed the fluid into the suction with the pump positioned below and ensure the pump is primed. Submersible deployment involves pumps that are completely submerged in the liquid they are pumping. These are known as submersible pumps. There is no need to prime the pump because it is already submerged. Self-priming deployment is when the power unit and the pump aren’t submerged. The suction house is designed to go into the slurry and act like a wet-dry vacuum.

Pump seal

You should choose an ideal seal based on the abrasive nature of the slurry. The slurry pump seal should have hard faces made from either tungsten carbide or silicon carbide. Some pumps come with a seal technology that uses a dual mechanical setup with a self-contained flushing system. This makes it possible for the seal face to be cooled continuously and not cause the slurry to overheat the seal.

Power sizing

You should consider the power requirement for your slurry pumps Australia. You need to choose a pump size that’ll allow for the pump to run at a slow speed to lengthen the duration of the life of the pump. The ideal RPM to run your pump at is between 900 RPM and 1200 RPM. Exceeding this speed will reduce the life of your pump.