Suggestions for a 15% clay solids / 85% water slurry pump 8

[SNORGY]

I am looking to see if anyone has any experience and guidance regarding what type of pump to consider for moving about 10 USGPM of a luke-warm water / clay solids "milkshake" slurry (15% solids, 2-50 microns) at a differential head of about 150 ft.

I am thinking maybe a small progressive cavity pump or wobbler pump with a viton stator and 1 bhp motor (I am told to also consider a hydraulic drive but...for 1 bhp...why?) from Moyno, Seepex, Allweiler or Roper.

I searched previous threads and I think the direction was similar for a slightly different (submerged) application, which oddly enough was also described as a "milkshake". In fact, in a sample jar containing what I am trying to pump, when you shake it it ends up looking just like Nestle's Quick, although it doesn't taste nearly as good.

Since this is for a little pilot skid with a short life expectancy, I could even consider a little Grundfos CR1 and just live with it wearing out...

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance...

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[micalbrch]

15 % solids is not that much but don't use a rotating positive displacement pump. Wear will be too high with this kind of slurry unless you oversize the pump (low rpm). Perhaps a small rubber lined centrifugal can do it although the viscosity seems to be rather high. For sure a diaphragm (membrane) pump can easily do it and wear won't be that high. If you have compressed air availabe and as this is not a 24/7 operation, look for an AOD. Otherwise (no compressed air available) look for an electromechanically driven diaphragm pump. Forget the hydraulic drive. That does not make sense for 10 GPM and 150 ft.

 

[Artisi]

Although a AOD sounds a good selection - but can it generate the head?
As this is only a pilot scheme you could consider a small ANSI or similar process pump with a duplex SS impeller, this will give reasonable life.

 

[SNORGY]

Thanks micalbrch.

There would be air - and pressurized nitrogen - available, but the client prefers to stay away from that. I don't know much about the electromechanical driven diaphragm pump, but from what I could find out, it's a good option. One of my initial thoughts had in fact been a Sandpiper pump, but I ruled it out due to client's reluctance to use pneumatically driven pumps.

I also looked at DiscFlo, but I thought that it would be inefficient at low viscosity - 50 cP and lower - and the fine nature of the slurry didn't warrant it. Another option I thought about was Wanner HydraCell. I am thinking that, for what I am trying to accomplish, that's a bit too much pump and too much pump technology for this application.

I just don't want to send out a generic request for quote and get a whole bunch of declined bids, thereby wasting everyone's time.

With respect to the hydraulic drive, there would be several similar (mostly smaller) slurry pumps on this package, moving the same stuff at different rates. I envisaged an electric-driven hydraulic supply pump (could even be a hydrostatic drive / swashplate type) and a maze of tubing (or hoses) and valves to route to the various hydraulic motors, and decided that I didn't prefer such a scheme when compared with half a dozen small motors.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[SNORGY]

Artisi - thanks also.

That's in keeping with my "buy a little Grundfos and accept that I am going to wreck it" philosophy...

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[Artisi]

I think a "grundfos" wouldn't go the distance, the impellers on most of these small units are usually pressed SS sheet - and wouldn't be suitable.

Years back I had a client who unbeknown to myself until much later put one of our ANSI process pumps(CI case, Cd4mcu impeller - 2900rpm) on a china clay filter-press application, this application meant it was running at near to CV for hrs on end maintaining pressure to the filter. The wear life was unbelievable considering the application.

 

[ccfowler]

You may want to consider a plunger pump. I've known of them to be used for pumping ash & water slurries with good durability. I'm not sure of the availability of such pumps in this small size range.

Valuable advice from a professor many years ago: First, design for graceful failure. Everything we build will eventually fail, so we must strive to avoid injuries or secondary damage when that failure occurs. Only then can practicality and economics be properly considered.

 

[whammett]

I tend to agree with staying away from any type of positive displacement pump. I do agree with micalbrch in that any centrifugal pump, it would be best to buy a slightly overized one and then lower the rpm.

However, if you need specific amounts of liquid, it is cheaper to buy a PD pump, rather than a centrifugal with an associated flow control valve(in MOST cases.


Will Chevron Corp.

 

[SNORGY]

Some of these pumps will be driven via VFD...

I agree with the assessments re: Grundfos...

It's not easy to source "readily available" minute little pumps for a service like this.

Sounds like a mechanically driven diaphragm pump might be the best fit.

The service life will be measured in terms of months, not years, and the pilot that they are going into is intended to test (hopefully prove) a process technology. I don't mind chewing up a few wetted ends during the exercise. I am inclined to try Hydracell and / or PC pumps with spare wetted ends, depending on whatever sparing philosophy the client chooses to adopt.

Thanks for your advice, everyone...it has helped (and continues to help) a lot. It's good to bounce things off you folks.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[SteveWag]

Look at a Watson-Marlow SPX-32, 10 GPM @ 100 PSI

http://www.watson-marlow.com/watson-marlow/p-bredel.htm

Steve

 

[SNORGY]

Thanks all, and stars all around (am I allowed to do that? I just did...)

SteveWag:

I like this concept at first glance, and I will be looking into it in further depth.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[rmw]

Here is a company that made their name pumping slurries.

http://www.naglepumps.com/

rmw

 

[SNORGY]

Thanks rmw...

It's been too long that I have "dabbled in everything". I should have thought of these guys.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[TenPenny]

I'd look at a progressing cavity pump; that's what pretty much every paper mill uses for their clay pumps, and they seem happy with them. Keep the speed to 200 rpm or less, and you'll see good life out of it.

 

[moltenmetal]

150 ft is a bit too much head, but you might consider an industrial hose pump. Barring that, an air operated diaphragm. A low flow, high head application like that is probably going to be the death of your typical slurry pump in short order.

 

[SNORGY]

Thanks folks.

These will be sacrificial pumps with a short life expectancy in a non-dangerous service. If I can find a small enough slurry pump I'll go that route, otherwise probably a PC and a whole bunch of stators.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[stanier]

I would be using a progressive cavity pump from Mono Pumps Australia. They make them with ceramic coated wetted components for slurry duties. Your slurry is just dirty water.

As for sizing it is more appropriate to have them run slow to make them last. it is not oversizing, just good engineering. Too many "Johnny come latelies" have been flogging their UNDER sized PG pumps into the market. They sell you a fast running small size frame and make a killing on the spare parts.

When I specify PG pumps I always include a five year no fault warranty clause. This keeps the dodgy salesman out of the arena and I end up with a decent engineering solution.
I have seen Mono Australia pumps in action for nigh on 30 years in a large scale sewage facility for Sydney Water. they pump everything including the kitchen sink.

I have also used them for mine dewatering pumping tailings and coal debris.

 

[SNORGY]

I will advise the outcome as things progress...

We will try to get proper centrifugal slurry pumps if we can get them that small.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[Artisi]

If pump life is not all that important and you are only looking for a short-life and a small "slurry" is not available I would seriously consider an ANSI or similar pump with hard SS impeller ie CD4Mcu or similar.

 

[SNORGY]

Artisi:

Oddly enough, I raised that very thing in a design review yesterday. The pilot is intended to prove a process technology, not to prove the durability of its equipment. The various maintenance and design life issues can be addressed with larger equipment in a commercial scale development once the processing technology is proven. Meanwhile, I don't mind beating up this equipment for a few months - but it does have to work for those few months.


Regards,

SNORGY.