What you need to know about Slurry Handling.
Anyone dealing with pumping tasks or such industries where there are pumping applications definitely knows about slurry. Pumps are meant to transfer multiple fluids across several industrial and commercial applications, but the most common type of liquid that is flowed through a pump is slurry. It is found in mining, construction, chemicals and other industries.
The large scale use of pumps is in the industrial and commercial sectors. This is the reason why many pumps have been manufactured to meet all types of diverse pumping requirements.
What constitutes slurry?
A number of pumps are suitable for pumping slurries, but the most famous is a peristaltic hose pump. Slurry is a thick, viscous, and semi-liquid mixture of a number of minerals. Slurries are found on the surface of the earth or underneath, and therefore these are a mixture of several particles. There are many types of minerals found in slurries, such as:
- Copper
- Chrome
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Gold
- Platinum
- Silver
- Uranium
- Coal
From Fine to Coarse
These minerals from the earth get mixed with water and form a sloppy liquid which is rather muddy. Depending upon the quantity of mineral particles, slurry may range from thin to highly thick. Less viscous slurries are called non-settling slurries that have fine particles, while those having coarser particles are called settling slurries. The former type is comparatively easily pumped.
Select
These minerals may or may not be corrosive, solely depending on their physical and chemical properties. Only the pumps that are abrasion resistant can go well with slurries; otherwise the device will get damaged and will not last long. The type of liquid is the biggest variable that determines which type/size of pump to select.
Minerals Determine Properties
Chemical and physical properties of liquid within the slurry can get altered based on a number of factors such as:
- Type of solid particles
- Size of solid particles
- Shape of solid particles
- Concentration of solid mineral particles
- Reactivity ratio between solids and liquids
Smooth and High Pressure Flow
Slurry pumping always needs to be in a smooth continuous flow. If pumped otherwise – having gaps or disruptions in pumping flow – slurry can settle down causing clogged areas, hardened liquid, and an inefficient pumping process.
All industrial pumps have a low pressure suction point and a high pressure discharge end in common. These are necessary to make the liquid flow and not settle down inside the pump. Slurries are highly viscous and it is only at the exertion of a very high pressure and a powerful vacuum generation that slurry moves from one point to another to complete a pumping cycle.
