The long-term performance of large centrifugal sand slurry pumps

This study attempts to provide a model for the prediction of slurry pump performance with respect to cumulative throughput of sand, solids weight concentration and pump speed. Previous studies have not examined performance with respect to throughput.; Three GIW 18/20 LSA 44(45) slurry pumps were studied over the lifespan of one impeller in each pump while pumping a sand-water slurry. The pumps exhibited two different modes of behavior with respect to cumulative throughput. During an interval of 0-6000 kt of sand throughput, theorized to coincide with erosion of the impeller vanes while maintaining a constant impeller radius, the head ratio increased approximately 5% and the efficiency ratio was approximately constant. During an interval of 6000-10400 kt of sand throughput, theorized to coincide with erosive impeller diameter reduction, the head ratio decreased approximately 15% and the efficiency ratio declined approximately 7%.