Basic Types and Characteristics of Slurry Pump Impellers

Slurry pump impellers are generally classified into three types: closed impellers, semi-open impellers, and open impellers.

Closed impellers consist of vanes enclosed between the front and rear shrouds and are the most widely used type in slurry pumps. Their advantages include higher efficiency and good performance in handling clean water, solutions, or other low-viscosity, clean liquids. However, when the pumped medium contains a high amount of solid particles or fibers, closed impellers may suffer severe wear, which can reduce their hydraulic performance.

Semi-open impellers come in two structures: front semi-open and rear semi-open. They are composed of vanes and a partial shroud. This design allows the impeller to pump liquids while providing a certain level of sealing performance. Compared with closed impellers, semi-open impellers are easier to manufacture, more cost-effective, and offer strong adaptability. For this reason, their application in industries such as oil refining and chemical processing has been increasing.

Open impellers have only vanes and reinforced ribs without front or rear shrouds. They feature a simple structure and are easy to manufacture, although their efficiency is relatively lower. Open impellers are mainly used to handle high-viscosity liquids and slurry-like materials. However, due to their structural characteristics, open impellers tend to experience more severe wear when pumping liquids containing solid particles.