Laboratory slurry erosion tests and pump wear rate calculations

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Fluids Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3243089· OSTI ID:6460113

Tuzson, J J

From order-of-magnitude calculations, the erosion mechanism in slurry pumps for mining applications was found to be a scouring type. Impact erosion was found to be unlikely to occur. The erosion model assumes a ''sliding bed'' type of flow pattern and neglects the effect of turbulent diffusion of slurry particles. This choice was based on flow regime data from slurry pipeline flow and was not verified experimentally in pumps. A new centrifugal-erosion laboratory testing fixture was designed and fabricated at Allis-Chalmers which reproduces this type of erosion. Since flow conditions were closely controlled, an absolute rate of erosion could be determined. For mild steel (Rockwell C = 10) and aluminum oxide particles, a specific erosion energy of 1.5 X 10/sup 8/ in-lb/in/sup 3/ (1000 joules/mm/sup 3/) was measured. Flow pattern and slurry concentrations were calculated in a pump impeller using a quasi-three-dimensional streamline curvature method. These were combined with the above erosion model and the local erosion rate was estimated. Actual operating data had to be estimated for a quarry application of the pump because field test data was not available. The uncertainties of the field test data did not allow an exact numerical verification of the wear rate calculation, but order of magnitude agreement was obtained. The wear rate distribution agreed very well with the wear pattern observed on the impeller used in the quarry and the locations of excessive wear could be identified.

• Research Organization: Gas Research Inst., Chicago, IL
• OSTI ID: 6460113
• Journal Information: J. Fluids Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Fluids Eng.; (United States) Vol. 106:2; ISSN JFEGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420206* -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
ABRASION
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DISPERSIONS
FLOW MODELS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRAULICS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MINING
MIXTURES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PUMPS
SLURRIES
STEELS
SURFACE MINING
SUSPENSIONS
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WEAR