SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
(OP)
Can anyone out there help me to find suction velocity of a slurry pump. How is it calculated?
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This question was asked in one of our interviews





RE: SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
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
RE: SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
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.
RE: SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
RE: SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
RE: SUCTION VELOCITY OF SLURRY PUMP
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.