The slurry pump handles water that contains high content of solid abrasives such as sand, silt, fly ash or crushed fines. It is designed using more durable materials compared to clean water or dewatering pump as the solid wears away the impeller and seals. If the solids are part of your work rather than being accidental, then slurry pump is the way to go.
Using wrong pump for slurry is one of the quickest ways to consume spare parts. The following document provides you with the criteria for determining the need for a slurry pump, what features of slurry determine its selection, whether to choose a submerged or a non-submerged pump, and Flygt and Godwin pumps available from GENAVCO.
Slurry Pump vs Dewatering Pump
| Factor | Dewatering pump | Slurry pump |
| Typical liquid | Groundwater with incidental sand | Water with a high, deliberate solids content |
| Design priority | Flow and head on mostly clean water | Wear resistance and keeping solids moving |
| Wear parts | Standard for occasional abrasion | Heavy resistant to continuous abrasion |
| Typical UAE uses | Excavations, basements, shafts | Washing plants, settling ponds, quarry sumps, fly ash, tunnelling spoil water |
The guide to dewatering pumps for excavations includes information on sizing for site water. In case of high abrasiveness, the same guide suggests changing to a slurry pump.
What Factors Influence Slurry Pump Selection?
- Solids density: percentage of solids in the fluid. As solids content increases, weight and wear increase.
- Size and shape of solids: fine silt is different from sharp crushed sand or large chunks. Passage diameter of the pump should be able to pass through the largest particle.
- Density of the fluid: higher density fluid requires more force to lift the same volume, therefore requiring more powerful motors.
- Abrasion factor: sharp and angular solids like crushed rock wear quickly compared to rounded silt.
- Flow and Head: as with any other pump, but for the slurry fluid, not water.
Velocity: Too Low Sediments, Too High Causes Wear
Solids will remain in suspension as long as the system is moving fast enough. Should the velocity in the pipe become too low, sediments will build up in the horizontal piping and clog it. If it is higher than necessary, the wear on the pump and pipe will increase greatly.
Submersible or Surface Slurry Pump?
- The decision is similar to all decisions regarding pumps: the location of the pump in relation to the slurry.
- Submersible slurry pumps operate in the sump/pond itself. Flygt says that submersible slurry pumps do not require any kind of superstructure, thus saving on building the platform and suction system that later will have to be relocated as the work site moves.
- Surface self-priming pumps operate from the dry land and pump up slurry. The Godwin BD series handles slurries with solids up to 75 mm and primes automatically from dry with up to 8.5 m suction lift, which suits temporary and moving work.
Slurry Pumps Available From GENAVCO
1. Flygt Submersible Slurry Pumps
- Confirmed specification: heavy resistant submersible slurry pumps with flow up to 320 l/s and head up to 88 m, operating directly in the slurry with no support superstructure.
- Confirmed applications: industrial duties such as treatment plants and fly ash handling.
2. Godwin BD Series Self-Priming Pumps
- Final specification: complete automatic priming from dry condition to 8.5 m suction lift with vacuum/venturi priming, pumping sewage, slurry and other liquids having solids with maximum size of 75 mm, and dry running with silicon carbide abrasion-resistant seal face material.
- Suitability for application: temporary slurry transportation and pond pumping where a surface pump is more convenient. See Godwin self-priming pumps.
Sucking slurry from the sump, pond, or washing plant?
Provide us with solids content, particle size, flow, head, and pipeline information. We will advise you on the appropriate pump and wearing materials.
Where Slurry Pumps Work in the UAE
- Sand washing and aggregate plants: wash water carries silt and fines to settling ponds and recovery equipment, covered in our guide to sand washing plants.
- Quarries and crushing sites: sumps collect fines-laden water around mobile crushers and screens.
- Fly ash and industrial byproducts: dense and abrasive slurries in industrial plants.
- Tunnelling and piling: water mixed with spoil material due to tunnelling and drilling.
- Settling pond cleaning: separation of settled material for retention of pond capacity.
How to Design a Slurry Pump?
- Step 1 - Take samples of the slurry and find out the percentage of solids, their size, and abrasiveness.
- Step 2 - Determine the volume of flow and total head, including the discharge head and piping friction.
- Step 3 - Identify whether the pump is immersed in the slurry or mounted above the surface.
- Step 4 - Size the piping in such a way that there will be no high velocities of the transported material.
- Step 5 - Develop the sump layout and liquid-level control so that the pump does not cavitate and pick up solidified lumps.
- Step 6 - Agree a wear part and inspection plan before commissioning.
Pumping Slurry in UAE Environment
- Fine desert sand: very fine and hard particles that are very abrasive and reach deep into seals.
- Heat and evaporation: ponds dry up fast during summer months; increase solids in remaining water.
- Remote locations: surface pumps run on diesel or submersible pumps on generators without power supply grid.
- Recycling water: many facilities recycle their water, hence slurry pumping and settling become a part of water balance.
Why Choose GENAVCO for Slurry Pumps
- Flygt and Godwin from one supplier: submersible and surface options from the Xylem family, so the pump type follows the job. See Flygt submersible pumps.
- Pump knowledge across duties: from clean water to wastewater to slurry, including choosing a submersible pump impeller for wastewater.
- Part of the Juma Al Majid Group since 1967: an established UAE supplier with ISO 9001 certification, with certified technicians and genuine parts.
Typical Slurry Pumping Problems
- Using a clean water pump for slurry: impeller and seal degradation happens rapidly, much faster than usual.
- Designing the pump according to water characteristics rather than slurry properties: more power is required when dealing with heavier fluids.
- Decreasing velocity: solids settle in the pipes and don’t allow feeding the pump.
- Not considering sump design: an improperly designed sump creates problems for feeding the pump.
- Lack of wear parts management program: slurry pumps require regular inspections, not failure-based maintenance.
Common Questions Asked
What is the function of a slurry pump?
It is used to transfer water containing a lot of abrasive materials like sand, silt, fly ash or crushed fines in washing plants, quarries, industry and tunnelling.
How does a slurry pump differ from a dewatering pump?
A dewatering pump is designed to handle groundwater with some sand in it. The slurry pump is made more durable for the abrasive materials.
Can a Submersible Pump pump slurry?
Yes, but only if it is a submersible slurry pump. Flygt submersible slurry pumps work submerged in the slurry and can deliver up to 320 l/s flow and 88 m of head.
How do I select a slurry pump?
Firstly consider the solids percentage, particle size, abrasion, and the required flow and head. Also, select whether submersible or surface mounted, size the piping correctly to ensure solids transport, and arrange regular inspection of the wear parts.
Slurry Pump Selection – Time to Make Up Your Mind?
Consider slurry to be a dedicated task: design for the slurry mix, prevent wear and tear, maintain solid transport. GENAVCO offers Flygt submersible slurry pumps as well as Godwin self-priming pumps throughout the UAE region.
Tell us about your slurry, flow and site. We will recommend the right pump and price it properly.
Serving Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the wider UAE.
