All about slurry pumps

Definition and principle of slurry pump

Slurry pump is a kind of pump equipment specially used for conveying slurry containing solid particles. Its working principle is based on the role of centrifugal force, through the high-speed rotation of the impeller, generating centrifugal force, the slurry will be sucked into the pump chamber, and give it energy, so that it will be transported along the pipeline to the designated place under pressure. The operation of the slurry pump relies on the synergy between the impeller and the pump casing to achieve the effective transport of the slurry.

The structural characteristics of slurry pump

1. impeller design

Impeller is one of the core components of the slurry pump, usually made of special shapes and wear-resistant materials, such as high chromium alloy. Impeller design needs to take into account the wear resistance and hydrodynamic characteristics, in order to improve its conveying efficiency and impact resistance.

2. Pump casing structure

The pump casing is usually made of heavy metal material with smooth internal flow channels to reduce resistance and wear. Its shape and structure need to have enough strength and rigidity to withstand the scouring and pressure of the slurry.

3. Shaft seal form

Common forms of shaft seals include packing seals, mechanical seals and so on. Packing seal costs less, but the sealing effect is relatively poor; mechanical seal has better sealing performance, but the cost is higher. Selection of appropriate shaft seal form for preventing slurry leakage is crucial.

Application areas of slurry pump

1. mining industry

In the process of mining and ore dressing, it is used to transport slurry, tailings and so on. It can effectively transport the liquid containing solid particles produced after the ore has been processed to the designated location, providing support for subsequent treatment and discharge.

2. Metallurgical industry

In the metallurgical process, it handles the conveying of various slags and wastes. For example, blast furnace slag, steel slag, etc. can not be discharged and transported without the role of slurry pumps.

3. Power field

In thermal power plants, it is used to transport the mixture of solid particles such as fly ash and water, which helps to achieve environmentally friendly emissions and reuse of resources.

4. Chemical industry

Chemical production will produce a lot of chemical slurry containing particles, slurry pumps play a key role in the transport of such materials, to ensure the smooth production process.

Slurry pump selection points

1. Slurry characteristics analysis

Detailed understanding of the slurry concentration, particle size distribution, corrosion, temperature and other characteristics. Concentration and particle size distribution will affect the pump head and flow requirements, corrosivity determines the pump body and overflow parts of the material selection.

2. Flow and head determination

According to the actual conveying distance, height and the required conveying capacity, accurate calculation of slurry pump flow and head. At the same time, to consider a certain margin to cope with possible changes in working conditions.

3. Working environment considerations

Comprehensive consideration of the work site temperature, pressure, installation conditions and other factors. For example, high-temperature environment requires the use of high-temperature-resistant materials and seals, special installation space may limit the size and shape of the pump.

Slurry pump in the process of using the safety matters needing attention

1. installation and grounding

Slurry pumps should be installed on a solid, level foundation, to ensure that the pump body level and well connected with the driving device. At the same time, the electrical equipment must be well grounded, in order to prevent the occurrence of leakage accidents, to protect the personal safety of the operator.

2. Operation monitoring

During operation, the operator should pay close attention to the running status of the pump, including sound, vibration, temperature, pressure and other parameters. During normal operation, the sound should be smooth and without abnormal noise; the vibration should be within the permissible range; the temperature and pressure should remain stable. If there is any abnormality, the pump should be shut down immediately for inspection and troubleshooting before continuing operation.

3. Protective equipment

Operators must wear appropriate protective equipment, such as safety helmets, protective glasses, gloves, overalls, etc., when carrying out maintenance and overhaul work. Especially when dealing with high temperature, high pressure or corrosive slurry, it is necessary to strictly observe the protection requirements to prevent accidental injury.

4. Prevent overloading

Avoid slurry pumps running for a long time in excess of the rated flow rate and head, so as not to overload the motor to burn or damage the internal structure of the pump. Reasonable adjustment of working condition parameters to ensure that the pump works in a safe and efficient range.

5. Firm pipeline connection

Ensure that the inlet and outlet slurry pipelines are firmly connected and free of leakage. The support and fixing of the pipeline should be reliable to prevent the connection parts from loosening due to the vibration or displacement of the pipeline, and the slurry jetting will cause injury to people and environmental pollution.

6. Regular maintenance and inspection

Develop a strict maintenance plan, regular inspection, maintenance and repair of the slurry pump. Including impeller, pump casing, shaft seal, bearings and other key parts of the wear and tear, timely replacement of damaged parts to ensure pump performance and safe operation.

The maintenance and care methods of slurry pumps mainly cover the following important aspects

Daily inspection:

1. Daily need to check the running condition of the pump in accordance with the specified time interval, pay close attention to whether its running sound is normal, there is no abnormal noise or murmur. If there is any abnormal sound, it may imply the wear and tear or failure of internal parts.
2. carefully feel the vibration of the pump, excessive vibration is often a signal that the parts are loose, unbalanced or worn out.
3. Use temperature measuring instruments to check the temperature of the pump on a regular basis, especially in critical areas such as bearings, shaft seals and the motor. Excessive temperatures may be an indication of problems such as poor lubrication, overloaded operation or worn components. At the same time, observe whether there is any leakage at the seal. If leakage is found, the cause should be analysed immediately and the sealing device should be adjusted or the seal replaced in time.

Regular maintenance:

1. According to the frequency of use of the pump and specific working conditions, every specific period of time should be disassembled for a comprehensive inspection of the pump body. Focus on the degree of wear and tear of the impeller, cracks, gaps or deformation; whether there are serious scratches and corrosion inside the pump casing. 2.
2. Thoroughly clean the impeller and pump casing of debris, scale and possible sediments to ensure that the flow path is unobstructed and good hydrodynamic performance is maintained.

Bearing maintenance:

1. Regularly check the lubrication condition of the bearings to ensure that the quantity of lubricant is adequate and of good quality. Insufficient or deteriorated lubricant will increase bearing wear and shorten their service life.
2. Continuously monitor the temperature of the bearings with specialised temperature monitoring equipment. High bearing temperatures may be a sign of lubrication failure, overload or bearing failure and must be addressed in a timely manner.

Shaft seal maintenance:

1. For slurry pumps with packing seals, adjust the tightness of the packing gland periodically. Too tight will increase the wear of the shaft, too loose will lead to excessive leakage. Through moderate adjustment, maintain the appropriate amount of leakage, both to ensure the sealing effect, but also to reduce the wear of the shaft.
2. For pumps with mechanical seals, the wear of dynamic and static rings should be checked regularly. If the wear is serious, it will affect the sealing performance, then it must be replaced in time.

Motor maintenance:

1. always keep the outside of the motor clean, remove the attached dust, oil and debris in time to prevent them from entering the inside of the motor and affecting the normal heat dissipation and operation of the motor.
2. Regularly check the wiring of the motor to see if it is firm, loose or oxidised. At the same time, test the electrical components inside the motor to ensure their normal performance, such as contactors, relays, etc.

Piping inspection:

1. Carefully inspect the connection parts of the inlet and outlet slurry pipelines to ensure that they are firmly and reliably connected, with no signs of looseness or leakage. Also pay attention to whether there is any damage to the pipeline such as deformation and rupture.
2. Regularly clean the sediments and blockages inside the pipeline to prevent them from affecting the normal delivery of slurry and to guarantee the smoothness of the pipeline.

Spare pump management:

1. for long time in standby status of slurry pump, should be regularly disc car operation, that is, manually rotate the pump shaft, make it rotate a certain angle. This can prevent the pump shaft from bending and deformation due to long-term static.
2. test run the standby pump according to a certain cycle, check whether its various performance is normal, to ensure that it can run quickly and stably when it needs to be put into use.

Seasonal maintenance:

1. With the change of seasons, the ambient temperature will change significantly. In the change of season, should be based on the actual situation of temperature, timely replacement of lubricants suitable for the current temperature conditions, in order to ensure that the lubrication effect is good.
2. At the same time, the performance of the sealing material will also be affected by the temperature, so it is necessary to replace the appropriate sealing material in a timely manner according to the seasonal characteristics to ensure that the sealing effect is not affected by seasonal changes.

Through the above comprehensive and meticulous maintenance and maintenance methods, can effectively extend the service life of slurry pump, improve its operational efficiency and stability, reduce the incidence of failure, for the smooth running of production to provide a strong guarantee.