PD pump I can throw into a sump, for a thick slurry?

[MartinLe]

I need to move a slurry (sugar beet pulp) from a tank, and I want the civils of the tank as simple as possible. Ricght now I'm looking at a progressing cavity pump mounted in a pipe the dips* into the slurry, but this will be expensive and unwieldy .I'm looking for alternatives.

One thing, that I'm not sure exists, but which I'd like to investigate, is a PD (diaphragm, piston ...) pump that I can handle like a classical immersion pump - lower into my sump with a hose or a connection pawl. Is there such a thing?


Other concerns: low pH (may be around 4), no food application,
*

http://www.netzsch-pumpen.de/de/pro...nterschneckenpumpe/nemo-bt-eintauchpumpe.html

 

[micalbrch]

"One thing, that I'm not sure exists, but which I'd like to investigate, is a PD (diaphragm, piston ...) pump that I can handle like a classical immersion pump - lower into my sump with a hose or a connection pawl. Is there such a thing?" None that I'm aware of. The problem is always the drive, not so much the motor but the rest of it (gear, coupling etc.). What comes into my mind is an air driven diaphragm pump. It does not have a drive but only a pneumatic valve. If this can be installed outside the sump, it might work. Ask one of the vendors/manufacturers. That is a simple question for them. They either have it or they don't.

 

[Artisi]

What does sugar beet pulp look like - does it flow, does it need agitation to effect flow - is it like virgin paper pulp - a lot of info missing - and of course what hydraulic conditions are you trying to achieve?


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.)

 

[MartinLe]

The pulp does flow, even without agitation. It tends to form a layer on top, with more liquid underneath. We'll install a small mixer to be on the safe side. The hydraulic condition I want to achieve is "move about 20m³/h substrate through 20 or m of DN150 pipe into another tank"

pictures:

http://www.bauernzeitung.de/praxispartner/archiv/biogas-aus-mais-und-rueben/

note that I'm not looking for an application for a lagoon, but for a smaller tank built above ground.

 

[Compositepro]

Many AAODD (air operated double-diaphragm) pumps can operate submerged. Just pipe the exhaust air back above the surface so the pneumatic parts do not get contaminated. But AODD pumps are self priming so there is often no need to submerge. Deep sumps that are too deep for suction are often emptied by throwing in an AODD and letting it sink. They are relatively cheap and light, with no need for wiring or circuit protection. They automatically stop pumping when you shut the air or the discharge valve.

http://www.pumpsandsystems.com/topics/pumps/air-operated-double-diaphragm-pump-performance

There are also air powered eductors, or water powered ones if you don't mind diluting the pulp.

 

[MartinLe]

thanks all. I've looked at AODD pumps, all I've found so far have a very small inlet (~ 2"), that I don't trust.
I was probably overthinking the whole issue and will probably position a PC pump beside my tank. Then I'm not able to empty it completly, which I think I and the plant will survive.