Choosing the correct mining slurry pumps can be a daunting task. This is mainly because slurry pumps are used in almost all industries and you might not know what to look for when searching for a pump for your application. Here are some key aspects to look for in a slurry pump.
The design of the slurry pump
When choosing a slurry pump for your application, the design is a critical part to ensure that the corrosive and abrasive aspects of the slurry don’t destroy the impeller of your pump. Sludge and slurry may also contain large particles of solids that will clog some types of pumps. Most centrifugal pumps have got an impeller with a tolerance to the volute. This means that the abrasive and corrosive nature of the slurry will wear the volute and damage the tolerance. This will in turn cause the pump to lose the suction capability and this will end up causing massive downtime with your pumps along with expensive spare parts and maintenance.
It is therefore important to consider the best pump design that will not experience the above-mentioned problems. Choosing a pump that doesn’t have an impeller can be your best bet. A pump that has a rotor instead of an impeller won’t have any bad tolerances. This will allow the slurry to be pumped at around 300% rates. This is more than what most centrifugal pumps can handle.
Construction material
Mining slurry pump makers use different materials to make pumps. Choosing the right material for your pump is a critical process to ensure you find the right pump to pump your slurry. If you are handling highly abrasive slurry with a neutral pH then you should choose a Hi-Chrome as the pump material. This material has the highest hardness and can withstand abrasive slurry. If the slurry isn’t only abrasive but also with a low pH, you should consider duplex stainless steel. This material will withstand caustic media such as acids. Acid water is very common at mining sites so this material will be ideal.
Pump deployment method
It is important to determine the ideal deployment of your pump when determining the ideal setup of your application. There are three main deployment methods for slurry pumps: flooded suction pumps, submersible pumps, and self-priming pumps. Make sure you choose a pump deployment method that is suitable for your application.
Slurry pump seal
It is important to choose the right seal based on the abrasive nature of the slurry you are pumping. A pump seal should have tungsten carbide or silicon carbide as the hardened faces. You should ensure that you choose a pump that incorporates high-quality seal technology.
Power sizing
When choosing mining slurry pumps, it is crucial to determine the proper slurry pump requirements and pump size for your application. Based on the slurry’s abrasive nature, it is crucial to choose a slurry pump size that will allow the slurry pump to run at a slow speed in order to lengthen the duration of the life of your pump.
