SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP

[arsmith]

Can anyone out there help me to find suction velocity of a slurry pump. How is it calculated?
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[CARF]

Hi,

velocity = flow / Area
flow [m3/sec]
Area = cross sectional pipe area = 0.25 * pi * Di^2
Di = internal diameter of the pipe.

The inlet flow of such pumps should be lower than 2 m/sec and the inlet pressure should be high enough to avoid cavitation.

Hope this helps,
MVD

 

[stanier]

I dont believe that you can define the inlet velocity so tightly. What of the slurry is iron ore? You will end up with settling.

Suggest you contact GIW. They have a research centre for testing slurries. They also make availble some of their reseach papers. They also have software known as Slysel which is inexpensive although a bit cludgy to use. They publish a book by Wilson, Addie and Clift that will give you the design parameters. Its titled Slurry Transport Using Centrifugal Pumps. One source is

http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/1-85166-745-8

Another good source is the BHRA in the UK or the Atomic Energy Authority AEA in the UK. I believe both have been privatised and their technical papers are available from their website.

 

[Artisi]

Another good source of information is the Warman pump company, they also have extensive test and research data available.

 

[jet1749]

Its usual to keep velocity high enough to prevent solids settling out, but low enough to prevent erosion problems.

 

[vanstoja]

Two good sources of velocity information for slurry and sludge pumping can be found in:
Addie,G.R., "Slurry Pump Selection Considerations", Pumps and Systems Magazine, Oct.1993.pp.32-39
P&SM Staff, "Sludge Handling-Guidelines for the Tough Stuff", Pumps & Systems Magazine, June 1994, pp.38-41
The first gives, in Fig. 3, nomograms for velocity at limit of stationary deposition attributed to:
Wilson,K.C., "Effects of Solids Concentration on Deposit Velocity", Journal of Pipelines, 1986, pp.251-257
The second recommends that "sludge velocities should be kept above 4-5 ft/sec to avoid sedimentation in the line and reduce grease buildup". This article provides a comprehensive Sludge Services Applications Chart for various %solids including pump type selection and relative severity of in-service abrasion and plugging.