Slurry pumps utilize centrifugal force to increase the energy of the solid-liquid mixture, converting the pump's electrical energy into kinetic and potential energy. There are many types of centrifugal pumps, and from different perspectives, they can be roughly divided into dozens of types. Centrifugal pumps use centrifugal force to transport the medium. Commonly used centrifugal pumps usually include screw pumps and plunger pumps. A centrifugal pump consists of an impeller and a pump casing. The impeller in the casing is mounted on a shaft and connected to the prime mover as a whole. For example, when the prime mover drives the impeller to rotate, the blades will force the fluid to rotate, which will gradually increase the fluid's pressure potential energy and kinetic energy.

To reduce slurry pump wear and extend the pump's service life, measures can be taken from different perspectives, considering design, material selection, pump selection, and usage.

1. Design

Applying the principles of solid-liquid mixture dynamics and rheological characteristics, hydraulic and structural designs of the pump's flow path components are conducted to conform to the movement laws of the solid-liquid mixture in the pump channel, reducing eddy currents and local losses, and minimizing wear.

(1) Based on the movement trajectory of solid particles in the channel within the solid-liquid mixture, the blade profile and channel shape are designed.

(2) The cross-sectional area of the channel changes uniformly to reduce eddy currents and secondary flows.

(3) The impeller outlet is designed as a concave surface.

(4) The relevant parts of the impeller and pump body should be appropriately thickened.

(5) Metal and rubber liners can be interchangeable, etc.

2. Material Selection and Surface Coating

(1) Based on the characteristics of the solid-liquid mixture and the on-site operating conditions, reasonably select pump materials and conduct value engineering analysis to avoid over-engineering.

(2) Flow-through components, especially wear-prone parts (such as impellers and pump bodies or casings, guards, etc.) use wear-resistant materials (wear-resistant metals and non-metals).

(3) Use nylon and various polymer materials to coat the worn surfaces and parts of the pump components, preventing wear on the surface of the main pump body material.

(4) Employ coating technology to add a protective layer and improve wear resistance.

3. Reasonable Selection and Use of Slurry Pumps

Reasonable selection and use are one of the important ways to reduce wear and extend the service life of the pump.

(1) According to the relevant pump selection methods and instructions, reasonably select a pump type that matches the on-site operating conditions.

(2) During operation, the pump should operate in a good operating area, i.e., the pump's high-efficiency area and the area with minimal wear. This is an effective method to reduce wear when the pump operates within a limited range of operating conditions.

(3) While ensuring basic requirements, reasonably reduce the pump's speed. This method can reduce cavitation and erosion wear intensity.

Selection of Slurry Pump Variable Frequency Drives:

(1) Based on production process requirements, use general-purpose variable frequency drives as much as possible while meeting production requirements.

(2) The load is constant power, the load is secondary load, and the load is constant torque. Since the slurry pump is a secondary torque load, the load torque is proportional to the square of the speed, and the load power is proportional to the cube of the speed, a secondary torque load variable frequency drive should be selected.

(3) Based on the motor's power, since the pulsating value of the pulsed current transmitted to the motor by the variable frequency drive is greater than the pulsating value of the power frequency power supply, appropriate margin should be allowed when selecting the variable frequency drive.

(4) Among numerous variable frequency drive manufacturers, select a variable frequency drive with a good price-performance ratio.