Sludge & Slurry Pump Suppliers

There are three main sludge and slurry pump types available that cover all pumping and dredging applications. These are flooded suction pumps, submersible pumps and self priming pumps.

• Flooded suction pumps are used when the application involves a tank, hopper or any container positioned above the pump. The raised slurry position facilitates a gravity fed flow into the suction of the pump, which then primes the pump and allows the slurry to be discharged.
• Submersible pumps, as the name suggests, are completely submerged in the slurry that is being pumped. The positive pressure created from being submerged in a liquid means that the pump does not need to be primed. Submersible pumps can be mounted to excavators, hung by cables or operated by a diver.
• Self-priming slurry pumps utilise a self-priming motor that activates if the machine loses suction. This rids the motor of air and sucks slurry back into the machine until the main pump is able to take over again. Self priming pumps are ideal for sump cleanout and dewatering projects. They are portable and can be trailer, barge or skid mounted.

Determining which type of sludge and slurry pump to buy requires an in-depth knowledge of the specific applications that the pump will be used. The first important consideration to make is the characteristics of the fluid that will be pumped. Density, viscosity as well as the size and type of solids within the slurry all impact the type of pump chosen. Other considerations that should be made when buying a slurry pump include the desired flow rate, size of the discharge head, the pipeline length, the pipeline diameter and the motor power requirements.

Sludge and slurry pumps move high volumes of abrasive material over extended periods of time. As a result, higher than expected wear rates, uneven output flows and leaks are some of the common problems that occur during use. Worksites often rely on pumps and setbacks can easily grind operations to a halt. For this reason sludge and slurry pumps should be regularly checked between uses for any signs of damage of excessive wear. They should also undergo regular maintenance and common issue parts such as impellers, seals, gaskets and hoses should be kept on hand to reduce down times.

A sludge and slurry pump being described as vertical or horizontal simply refers to the orientation of the pump. Each style of pump has its own unique advantages. Vertical slurry pumps are designed to reduce maintenance and operating costs by being more efficient in transferring waste. This pump orientation is highly configurable and requires less floor space than horizontal pumps. Submersible pumps are typically vertical to improve inflow rates. On the other hand, horizontal slurry pumps are often larger machines with more powerful motors capable of higher capacities and a greater output rate.

Sludge and slurry are both hazardous or non-hazardous by-products of industrial, refining or wastewater treatment processes. Although liquid by definition, they are semi-solid materials consisting of solids suspended in water. They differ, however, in thickness and consistency. Sludge is thick and soft in nature with a mud like appearance. Slurry has a higher water content and can be described as a thin, sloppy and wet mixture.

The purpose of a sludge or slurry pump is to move liquid material that contains high levels of suspended solids from one location to another. This material is often pumped through a piping system and discharged into a designated waste removal area nearby. Sludge and slurry pumps are versatile in their application and play a crucial role in waste removal. For this reason they have a wide range of applications including the following industries, food and beverage, quarrying, mining, construction, building, farming, agriculture, sewage, trash and industrial waste removal.