Hose pumps for waste and biogas slurry?

[MartinLe]

Hello all, does anyone here have experience in using hose pumps for biogas slurries?
We'd be dealing with high solid content (~15% TS) and high viscosities, and low flowrates. Mostly we'd use excentric screw pumps but hose pumps may be an alternative.

Any comments on using these pumps for the substrates mentiones? How big may solids be? How is the opex? Do you expect troubles with a gas carrying medium?

Thanks!

 

[Artisi]

I have no hands experience but I believe they would be an ideal unit for what you have described. Best to contact the manufacturers (Google Bredel) and pose the question with them.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[TenPenny]

I have no personal experience, but from others I understand that they are fairly common on these services, and I believe that in Montreal, QC, there are several on wastewater sludge in treatment plants. I seem to recall being told that one pumped a chunk of 2"x4" lumber through it with no problem. The key is to consider the rotating speed, that will have a direct effect on the wear rate of the hose.

 

[MartinLe]

Thanks for the input, I'd still be interested in hearing from someone with first hand experience. When talking to the vendor, what will be good questions to ask?
(Sides the obvious like price, power use, lifetime of hose, pump curve, pulsation ...)