Laboratory Slurry Erosion Tests and Pump Wear Rate Calculations

Abstract

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 × 108 in-lb/in3 (1000 joules/mm3) 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.

Scouring erosion resistance of metallic materials used in slurry pump service

“…The slurry subsequently exits at the end of the specimen at a radial distance of 68.5 mm. At least two tests were carried 1 Roctec 500, Boride Products, Traverse City, MI, USA. on both faces of pairs of samples for each material.…”

“…This study focuses on the use of the Coriolis method [1,2] for assessing the scouring attack resistance of some cast alloys used for slurry pump components. The materials involved range from high toughness nickel chrome molybdenum steel; corrosion resistant stainless steels; comparatively low carbon irons with high chromium contents which provide corrosion and some wear resistance and finally to higher carbon and chromium variants which have extremely high erosion and abrasion resistance properties.…”

Slurry Erosion – Design of Test Devices

“…Coriolis tester was originally introduced in 1984 by Tuzson [56], to investigate the movement of slurries and their interaction with surfaces such as pumps and pipelines. Slurry erosion tester was modified by Clark et al in 1999 [57].…”

Particle Distribution and Erosion During the Flow of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Slurries in Straight and Coiled Pipes

“…These tests, however, are not suitable for studying erosion by friction and give little information about the interparticle and particle-fluid interaction under various conditions of flow. A device which produces particle-wall abrasive wear without applying an external force is the Coriolis effect device discussed by Tuzson (1982). The device can be used to evaluate abrasive wear on the surface of specimen as the particles move along it; however, its application is limited to small scale.…”