Abstract:
A centrifugal seal system for a slurry pump (1) is provided with an adjustable wear ring (2) having an outer diameter (18) that is 1.3 to 2.1, and more preferably between 1.5 and 1.9 times the inlet diameter (17) of a suction orifice (33). The adjustable wear ring (2) acts in combination with a centrifugal expeller (5) that generates a differential backpressure to seal the slurry pump (1) and prevent leakage of the fluid pumped to the surroundings. The centrifugal expeller (5) has a diameter (12) which is 75 to 95%, and more preferably, between 82% and 90% of the diameter (19) of the impeller (7). The slurry pump (1) may comprise a seal clamp (44), one or more compression packing rings (47), and an axially-floating cartridge (48) comprising one or more lip seals (46) to prevent leakage when the slurry pump (1) is stopped.
Abstract:
A variable geometry infeed shelf (23) is configured to be installed within a tank pump (1) and provides supplemental internal rigid stationary fluid boundary surfaces within a cylindrical tank assembly (7) of the tank pump (1). The variable 5 geometry infeed shelf (23) promotes uniform distribution of feeding flow around the entire volume of the tank, favouring retention time and reducing bypassing and local peak vertical velocities of a tank infeed flow path (45) in a vertical direction (Z1) within the tank assembly (7). By virtue of its design, the variable geometry infeed shelf (23) reduces stagnation zones, air entrainment and turbulence within 10 the tank assembly (7), thereby improving pumping efficiency of a centrifugal pump (20) operating within the tank assembly (7).
Abstract:
A feedwell for a thickener/clarifier includes a feedwell body (40), a feedwell inlet (41), a sidewall (42), and a discharge opening (48). At least one infeed conduit (21) is connected at an upstream end of the feedwell inlet (41). The sidewall (42) has a non-cylindrical curved peripheral surface defining a radially-outermost fluid boundary surface for an influent stream (60). The non-cylindrical curved peripheral surface may include portions of a volute surface, coil surface, helical surface, compound curve surface, spline curve surface, or spiral surface. Feedwells according to the invention provide a uniform settling tank feeding flux around exiting portions of the feedwell, control velocity gradients and shear rates, protect flocculated aggregates, normalize sedimentation conditions in the settling tank, and prevent large local accelerations and flow non-uniformities.
Abstract:
An internal inclined sub-channel, or ramp device (24), for suspending and/or re-suspending solids within a pipeline system during transport of slurry may be provided to various components of the slurry transport system to control or reduce localized and severe wear that often occurs in slurry pumps. Embodiments of the ramp device (24) may be adequately configured to alter slurry multiphase flow patterns and/or disrupt traditional moving / sliding bed regime phenomena. Embodiments of the ramp device may be adequately configured to raise coarse abrasive particulates from bottom portions of a slurry pipe section - where a higher concentration and/or a larger presence of coarser particles may be present. Embodiments of the ramp device may be installed in proximity of and/or upstream of slurry pumps to prevent occurrences of severe localized wear at the inner diameter of the pump suction side wall around the bottom or 6 o'clock position.
Abstract:
A pressure relief device (1) for a centrifugal pump (50) comprising a shear pin(3), a piston (4) and a rod (6), the rod (6) having a first end (6a) and a second end (6b) and the piston (4) having a top face (4a) and a bottom face (4b), the second end (6b) of the rod (6) connected to the top face (4a) of the piston (4), the shear pin (3) disposed through the rod (6) and connected to the piston (4) via the rod (6). The piston (4) is disposed on the seal chamber (11) such that the bottom face (4b) of the piston (4) is directly exposed to the slurry located inside the seal chamber (11) and the top face (4a) of the piston (4) is located outside the seal chamber (11). The piston (4) is configured to apply a pressure proportional shear force to the shear pin (3). The shear pin (3) is configured to break or shear when the pressure proportional shear force exceeds a limit corresponding to the effective relief pressure such that the piston (4) can assume a retracted position and at least a portion of the slurry can exit the inside of the centrifugal pump (50).
Abstract:
A feedwell for a thickener/clarifier includes a feedwell body (40), a feedwell inlet (41), a sidewall (42), and a discharge opening (48). At least one infeed conduit (21) is connected at an upstream end of the feedwell inlet (41). The sidewall (42) has a non-cylindrical curved peripheral surface defining a radially-outermost fluid boundary surface for an influent stream (60). The non-cylindrical curved peripheral surface may include portions of a volute surface, coil surface, helical surface, compound curve surface, spline curve surface, or spiral surface. Feedwells according to the invention provide a uniform settling tank feeding flux around exiting portions of the feedwell, control velocity gradients and shear rates, protect flocculated aggregates, normalize sedimentation conditions in the settling tank, and prevent large local accelerations and flow non-uniformities.