Solid-Laden Slurries (Coarse, Abrasive, Dense & Non-Newtonian)
Coarse, angular solids and high SG chew through seals and impellers. We spec peristaltic for extreme abrasion and air entrainment, AODD for portable/variable duty, slurry-grade centrifugal with Hi-Chrome/CD4 for continuous transfer, submersible agitator for pits, and self-priming trash for above-grade service. For thick shear-sensitive mixes we add progressive-cavity. Brands: Wilden, Yamada, ARO, Graco, Goulds, Griswold, BJM, Gorman-Rupp, Netzsch, Finish Thompson, Iwaki, LMI, Neptune, Emec, Walchem, Flux, J.L. Wingert, Roper, Blackmer.
Best-Fit Pumps for Solid-Laden Slurries
| Service | Best Pump Type | Recommended Brands | Why It’s Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme abrasion, variable suction, air present | Peristaltic hose pump | Graco; LMI KML/KBL | Only the hose is wetted; handles fines/air; excellent suction lift; quick hose swaps |
| Portable/variable slurry transfer | AODD (bolted; abrasion kits; large passages) | Wilden; Yamada; ARO | Run-dry/dead-head tolerant; passes soft solids; simple field service |
| Continuous high-flow slurry | Slurry centrifugal (Hi-Chrome/CD4; elastomer linings) | Goulds; Griswold | Durable metallurgy and hydraulics sized to PSD and velocity window |
| Sump recirculation with settled solids | Submersible with agitator / mixer | BJM | Resuspends settled material; rugged seals and impellers |
| Above-grade O&M; fast clean-out | Self-priming trash pump | Gorman-Rupp (T/Super T) | Inspection cover and wear-plate access without disturbing piping |
| Thick, shear-sensitive slurry | Progressive-cavity (low-shear, VFD) | Netzsch | Pulse-free conveyance protects particle integrity and rheology |
| pH control / flocculant & binder dosing | Digital diaphragm / Peristaltic metering | LMI PD/TD & KML/KBL; Neptune; Emec; Walchem | Accurate ppm with back-pressure, anti-siphon, columns, and quills |
| Chemical transfer (acid/caustic/solvents) | Mag-drive sealless centrifugal (PP/PVDF/ETFE) | Finish Thompson DB/UC; Iwaki MX/MD | Leak-free containment and broad compatibility |
| Viscous additives / oils for binders | External gear pump | Roper; Blackmer | Accurate, steady flow on viscous clean additives into slurry circuits |
| Drum/IBC reagent loading | Drum/IBC pump + injection hardware | Flux; J.L. Wingert | Ergonomic transfers with calibrated injection and sampling |
Wear strategy: We size passages to max particle, bias lower tip speeds, choose Hi-Chrome/CD4 or elastomer liners, and hold velocity in the solids-transport window.
Recommended Slurry Packages (Placeholders)
Tip Share PSD (D50/D90), max particle, % solids, SG, viscosity vs. temp, duty points, and allowable shear. We’ll return curves and a rugged BOM.
How We Engineer Solid-Laden Slurries
- Erosion control: metallurgy, liners, velocity management, and NPSH margin.
- Clog resistance: large passages, agitators, and low-shear options where needed.
- Serviceability: self-primers and modular wear kits for fast turnarounds.
- Dosing validation: back-pressure, anti-siphon, columns, and quills.
- Containment: sealless mag-drive for pH/conditioning chemicals.
Common Uses
- Tailings & thickener underflow
- Coarse aggregate slurries
- Mineral concentrates and fines
- Grinding circuits & CIP slurries
- Coatings with heavy fillers
- Leach/neutralization circuits
- Sumps with settled solids
- Portable bypass pumping
- Binder & pH dosing
- Filter feed/backwash
Abrasion-Tough. Clog-Smart. Easy to Own.
Send PSD/max particle, % solids, SG, viscosity vs. temp, duty points, and shear limits. We’ll size a serviceable package with curves and a complete BOM.
Solid-Laden Slurry FAQs
Peristaltic vs. AODD—what’s the first pick?
Use peristaltic for extreme abrasion, suction lift, or air entrainment; AODD excels for portable or variable duty when you need simplicity and large passages.
When does a slurry centrifugal make sense?
For steady, higher flows with predictable solids and room to optimize velocity and metallurgy, a slurry centrifugal provides durable, efficient service.
How do I extend wear life?
Control velocity, pick the right metallurgy/liners, keep NPSH margin, and size passages to your max particle. We also bias slower tip speeds where possible.