How to select pumps for transporting solid-containing media
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Dear experts: We have encountered a problem in production and would like to ask fellow professionals for advice: handshake. The medium in question is a suspension with a solid content of around 20%; it contains organic substances, making it flammable and explosive. Therefore, it is not suitable to use centrifugal pumps or pumps made of engineering plastics. Apart from diaphragm pumps, what other types of pumps can be used in this situation?
The main reason mentioned by the poster for avoiding the use of centrifugal pumps is the concern over leaks. In fact, for this operating condition, a slurry pump with an open impeller, equipped with a built-in double-end face balanced mechanical seal (PLAN54 design), can achieve zero leakage.
Can’t we use a canned pump? In the petrochemical industry, many substances that are toxic, harmful, flammable, and explosive are handled using such pumps. At around 20%, a canned pump should not present any problems
Double-end face seal systems require a separate seal fluid pump station; there is a concern that the seal fluid might seep in and contaminate the product, so this matter needs to be discussed further with the R&D team. Additionally, what is the typical outlet pressure of such pumps? I require at least 5.5 for this. Actually, I am interested in rotor pumps. Do you have any practical experience with them?
No, because the solid content is too high; it might reach 30%. Most of the shielded pumps we use are applied to media with low levels of particulates.
An outlet pressure of up to 8 kilograms is acceptable. Unfamiliar with rotary pump
Screw pumps work well; we have a project where the solid content of the slurry is between 5% and 20% by weight, and screw pumps operate quite stably in such conditions
It has a function similar to that of a filter press; both are used for filtering
The stator of screw pumps is usually made of rubber, and it will start leaking after some time; therefore, screw pumps are not highly recommended.
Then using the slurry pump or diaphragm pump I mentioned would be the most suitable choice.