In demanding industrial operations, standard pumps fail when abrasive solids meet the fluid. The Slurry Pump is a rugged solution designed specifically to handle the handling of abrasive, corrosive, and often dense mixtures of solids suspended in liquids. FURKEY's expertly designed centrifugal slurry pumps are the backbone of critical processes in heavy industry. Their unique low specific speed design prioritizes particle velocity control, significantly extending service life compared to conventional water pumps.
Low Specific Speed: The Slurry Pump operates at a lower speed to minimize the damaging effects of particle velocity on critical components.
Wear-Resistant Construction: Internal components in contact with the slurry are constructed from replaceable high-grade alloys or tough elastomers, strategically selected based on the application.
Rugged Mechanical Construction: Heavy-duty bearings, a rigid shaft, and protected seals ensure reliable power transmission in harsh environments.
Hydraulic Efficiency: Optimized impellers and volutes ensure streamlined flow and maximize hydraulic efficiency, even in abrasive media.
Maintenance Focus: Large wear margins and simple clearance adjustments significantly extend component life before replacement, minimizing costly downtime.
1. Mining and Mineral Processing:
Ore Extraction and Transportation: Pumps primary crushed ore slurry from the mine to the processing plant.
Grinding and Classification: Transports ground slurry between mills, cyclones, and classifiers.
Tailings Management: Treats and transports waste slurry (tailings) to disposal or storage facilities (tailings dams). This is crucial for environmental stewardship.
Froth Flotation: Supplying abrasive slurry to flotation cells for mineral separation.
Leaching Circuit: Transports corrosive slurry in processes such as gold cyanidation or copper heap leaching.
Filter Feed and Discharge: Pumps concentrated concentrate or tailings to filter tanks for dewatering.
2. Metallurgical Operations:
Smelting Slag Handling: Pumps abrasive granulated slag slurry for disposal or further processing.
Acid Plant Sludge: Treats highly corrosive slurries generated during sulfuric acid production.
Refinery Sludge: Transports abrasive/corrosive residues from processes such as zinc or alumina refining.
Descaling: Pumps high-pressure slurries containing abrasive grit (garnet, slag) for use in steel mill sandblasting.
3. Power Generation:
Coal-Fired Power Plants: Treats boiler bottom ash slurry (pyrite) and fly ash transport/hydraulic disposal systems.
Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD): Circulates abrasive limestone slurries within scrubber systems to remove sulfur dioxide emissions.
Ash Conditioning: Adds water to dry ash for safer handling and transportation of the slurry.
4. Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Mining:
Hydraulic Transport: Transports large quantities of abrasive oil sands ore over long distances via water-based pipelines.
Tailings Pond Management: Treats mature fine tailings (MFT) for recovery or environmental remediation.
5. Construction and Dredging:
Sand and Gravel Production: Pumping of slurries generated during dredging operations and aggregate washing/processing.
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM): Transporting excavated rock/soil mixed with water (silt) from tunnel faces.
Slurry Piling: Handling of bentonite or polymer slurries used to stabilize boreholes.
Cutter Suction Dredging: Using core pumps to transfer sediment/water mixtures from riverbeds, ports, or land reclamation sites.
6. Chemical and Fertilizer Production:
Phosphate and Potash: Handling of highly abrasive slurries during mining, processing, and concentrate transportation.
Acid and Chemical Transfer: Pumping of corrosive slurries containing reaction by-products or suspended catalysts.
Fertilizer Slurries: Pumping of mixtures such as ammonium phosphate sludge.
7. Pulp and Paper Industry:
Recycled Materials Processing: Handling of slurries containing abrasive contaminants during recycled paper processing.
Lime Kiln Sludge: Transporting abrasive lime slurries.
Paint Preparation: Pumping of pigment and filler slurries.
8. Quarrying and Aggregate Production:
Washhouse Transfer: Pumping of sand, gravel, and stone slurries through washing and grading circuits.
Wastewater Treatment: Management of water-intensive process wastewater containing fine particles.
9. Environmental Remediation and Wastewater:
Sludge Handling: Transfer of concentrated sewage sludge, industrial sludge, and dredged contaminated sediment.
Landfill Leachate: Handling of leachate containing suspended solids. Note: Non-abrasive applications may require the use of alternative pumps.
| Parameter | Description & Benefit |
| Design Type | Centrifugal, Low Specific Speed (ns) |
| Hydraulics | Optimized impeller/volute geometry for slurry flow |
| Materials | High-Chrome White Iron (HCWI), Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Polyurethane, Special Alloys |
| Wear Management | Large cross-section wear parts, Adjustable clearances |
| Sealing Options | Dynamic Seal, Packed Gland (soft packing), Single/Double Mechanical Seals |
| Drive System | Robust bearing frame, Rigid overhung shaft, Heavy-duty bearings, Isolator seals |
