Sludge Transfer Pumps (Thickened, Dewatered, RAS/WAS & Cake)
Sludge is unforgiving—high solids, variable viscosity, air entrainment. We apply progressive-cavity for thickened and dewatered sludges, peristaltic for abrasive or gas-laden flows, submersible for pits, self-priming trash for above-grade service, and AODD for portable bypass. For chemical make-up and polymer feed we package metering and mag-drive transfer hardware. Brands: Netzsch, Graco, LMI, Neptune, Emec, Walchem, BJM, Gorman-Rupp, Wilden, Yamada, ARO, Goulds, Griswold, Finish Thompson, Iwaki, Flux, J.L. Wingert, Grundfos.
Best-Fit Pumps for Sludge Transfer
| Service | Best Pump Type | Recommended Brands | Why It’s Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickened sludge (2–10%+), dewatered cake feed | Progressive-cavity (hopper/bridge-breaker options) | Netzsch | Low-shear, pulse-free conveyance at high solids/viscosity; excellent for belt press/centrifuge feed |
| Abrasive, gas-entrained sludge; variable suction | Peristaltic hose pump | Graco; LMI KML/KBL | Only the hose is wetted; handles abrasion, off-gassing, and dry-running moments |
| Sludge pits, sumps, scum wells | Submersible solids-handling / chopper | BJM; Goulds | Rag-tolerant hydraulics with guide-rail removal; choppers for wipes/FOG |
| Above-grade O&M; quick clean-out | Self-priming trash pump | Gorman-Rupp (T/Super T) | Inspection cover and wear-plate access without disturbing piping |
| Portable bypass & tank drawdown | AODD (bolted; abrasion kits) | Wilden; Yamada; ARO | Run-dry/dead-head tolerant, handles air and solids, easy to deploy |
| Polymer dosing (emulsion/dry-feed solution) | Digital diaphragm / Peristaltic metering | LMI PD/TD & KML/KBL; Neptune; Emec; Walchem (control) | Stable ppm with back-pressure, anti-siphon, calibration columns, injection quills |
| Polymer/acid/caustic transfer | Mag-drive sealless centrifugal (PP/PVDF/ETFE) | Finish Thompson DB/UC; Iwaki MX/MD | Leak-free containment for corrosives/oxidants; simplified maintenance |
| Drum/IBC chemical make-up | Drum/IBC pump + injection hardware | Flux; J.L. Wingert | Ergonomic transfers, validated injection and calibration |
Sizing notes: We check NPSH with entrained air, viscosity vs. temperature, suction lift on self-primers, and polymer interaction to protect floc quality.
Recommended Sludge Packages (Placeholders)
Tip Share solids %, viscosity, expected ragging, suction conditions, duty points, and polymer type. We’ll return curves and a press-ready BOM.
How We Engineer Sludge Duty
- Low-shear conveyance: PC and peristaltic to protect floc and reduce pipe wear.
- Anti-clogging: chopper/solids-handling hydraulics matched to wipes/FOG.
- Serviceability: self-primers for above-grade O&M; guide-rail submersibles.
- Dosing validation: back-pressure, anti-siphon, columns, injection quills.
- Containment: sealless mag-drive for corrosives and oxidants.
Common Sludge Uses
- Thickened sludge transfer
- Centrifuge/belt-press feed
- Cake hopper feed
- Scum/skimmings transfer
- RAS/WAS handling
- Polymer make-down & dosing
- Sump & pit drawdown
- Portable bypass pumping
- Chemical make-up and transfer
- Filter feed/backwash
Low-Shear. Clog-Resistant. Press-Ready.
Send solids %, viscosity, ragging history, suction conditions, and duty points. We’ll return curves and a serviceable package fast.
Sludge Transfer FAQs
Progressive-cavity or peristaltic for my sludge?
PC excels on steady, high-solids feeds to presses. Peristaltic shines with abrasive or gas-entrained sludge and when quick hose swaps beat rebuilds.
When should I use a chopper pump?
If wipes/FOG cause chronic ragging, a chopper restores capacity by macerating stringy solids before they reach the impeller eye.
How do you keep polymer dosing consistent?
We package back-pressure, anti-siphon, calibration columns, and injection quills—plus controls integration—to stabilize ppm across flow swings.