How to Choose the Size of the Slurry Pump

Flow Requirements: Determining the flow rate of the slurry pump is the key to selection. First of all, it is necessary to clarify the flow rate of slurry that needs to be transported, generally in cubic meters per hour (m/h). This needs to be determined based on specific process flow and production requirements, such as the slurry conveyance of the mine ore dressing plant, the sludge emission of the sewage treatment plant, etc. At the same time, a certain margin needs to be considered to cope with possible flow fluctuations or future expansion of production scale, usually the margin is around 10%-20%.

Head requirements: Head refers to the height at which the slurry pump can lift the slurry, in meters (m). When calculating the head, consider the actual conveying height, pipeline resistance, valve resistance and other local resistance factors. In order to ensure that the pump can operate stably under different working conditions, the head should also be kept at an appropriate margin, generally 5%-10%.

Slurry characteristics: The characteristics of the slurry are crucial to the selection of the pump. It is necessary to consider factors such as the concentration, particle size, hardness, and corrosiveness of the slurry. Slurry with higher concentrations will increase the load of the pump, and a pump with higher power needs to be selected; slurry with larger particle size or higher hardness will cause severe wear to the pump's overflow components, so a pump with good wear resistance should be selected, such as a slurry pump with high chromium alloy impeller and volute; corrosive slurry needs to be used to make corrosion-resistant materials, such as pumps made of stainless steel, rubber lining and other materials.

Pump speed: The rotation speed is one of the important parameters that affect the performance of the slurry pump. Generally speaking, the higher the rotation speed, the greater the flow and head of the pump, but it also increases wear and energy consumption. For slurries with larger particle size, pumps with lower speed should be selected to reduce wear; for slurries with lower concentration and smaller particle size, the speed can be appropriately increased to improve the conveying efficiency. In addition, the matching of the motor speed and the pump must be considered to ensure that the pump can operate stably at the rated speed.

Power Matching: Select the motor with the appropriate power to match the pump according to the calculated flow rate, head and slurry characteristics. If the power is too small, the pump cannot meet the delivery requirements, and the motor is prone to overload and burning; if the power is too large, it will cause energy waste. Generally, the shaft power of the pump can be calculated through relevant formulas, and then the appropriate motor power is selected based on the shaft power. The motor power should generally be slightly greater than the shaft power to ensure that the pump can operate normally under various working conditions.

On-site installation conditions: On-site installation space and conditions will also limit the selection of slurry pumps. It is necessary to consider whether the pump's appearance size, weight, and installation method are suitable for on-site conditions. For example, in a downhole or workshop with a narrow space, a smaller and compact pump may be required; for occasions where frequent movement or replacement, a lightweight, easy to install and disassemble can be selected. At the same time, the load carrying capacity of the foundation must be considered to ensure that the pump will not fail due to foundation problems during operation.

Operating cost: When selecting a model, you must not only consider the procurement cost of the equipment, but also consider the long-term operating cost, including energy consumption, maintenance costs, etc. Generally speaking, although the purchase price of high-efficiency and energy-saving pumps may be relatively high, long-term operation can save a lot of energy costs; while pumps with easy maintenance and long life of consumable parts can reduce maintenance costs, reduce downtime, and improve production efficiency. Therefore, these factors should be considered comprehensively when selecting models and select a cost-effective pump.