Slurry pump wear factors

[MotorMan12]

There are many factors affecting slurry pump wear. In connection with settting up tests to verify the performance of a particular pump, I am trying to establish the influence of each factor. Such as: Wear is linear to the solids concentration. Wear is proportional to the velocity squared and so on. Is anybody familiar with good references for this topic: Different sources lists different parameters, so there seems to be some disagreement out there as to what the effect of the various parameters is.

 

[Artisi]

Don't forget to consider pump speed, materials being pumped - as in its hardness, the shape of the solids, the size of the solid and size distribution of the solids. The impeller shape / design and pump efficiency together with the pump operating point on the performaance curve also plays an important role in wear life of the wetted components.

Due the the infinite number of variables it is unlikely that a "one rule" will fit all cases.
For a known solids slurry that has been pumped and documented previously it is possible to make some informed judgement for a similar application, other than this it probably guesswork.

 

[NGLENGR]

The material of the pump can have a large effect as well, since some materials (CD4MCu) seem to work harden in abrasive service and can actually perform indefinitely in mild abrasives.

 

[stanier]

I would check the BHRA technical papers on slurry transport.

For pipelines wear is proportional to velocity to the power 2.5 to 4.5. The criteria inviolved include temperature, pH, solids % , solids density, size of particles, size distribution, any chemical reaction, hardness, shape, carrier fluid, hours operating vs stationary, pump materials, tip speed, suction conditions etc etc.

Suggested reading Slurry Transport Using Centrifugal Pumps Wilson, Addie & Clift.

You may also choose to attend the GIW slurry course.

 

[tr1ntx]

Warman Pumps (I forget who their parent company is in Australia) has a lot of good technical information on the subject. I don't know whether you'll be able to get any of that information without buying a pump (or at least being a serious sales prospect).

"Weir"-something might be the parent.

 

[Artisi]

Hello Perstens,
Trust the info so far has been of help, more info from yourself should generate more useful information.

 

[MotorMan12]

Stanier's Slurry pumping handbook has been ordered and is in the mail. There also seems to be a lot of useful information in the BHRA papers. It has dawned on me that I have asked a question where there are no good answers, just a lot of opinions...

 

[Artisi]

Maybe that is because you asked an open-ended question.

 

[micalbrch]

tr1ntx: Weir Minerals is the Warman parent company.

http://www.weirminerals.com

The have a slurry pump handbook, too. It is not available for free download but I think it is free of charge. You just need to be registered.

 

[stanier]

Have you consulted the ANSI/Hi 12.1 to 12,6 standard? This has been prepared by Graeme Addie of GIW pumps.