Answering market demand for a split-case slurry pump
We revolutionised slurry handling with our KREBS® millMAX™ pump range. But the market wanted more… specifically a split-case mining slurry pump with extended wear life and higher efficiency and safer than available alternatives. Our solution? The tough and versatile KREBS slurryMAX™ pump range. In this blog, Roman Van Ommen, Head of Pumps, Valve and Cyclones for Europe, Central Asia, NW Africa explains some of the main factors to consider.
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Success breeds success
Building on the foundation laid by our range of millMAX centrifugal slurry pumps, slurryMAX pumps incorporate many of their main features – including our patented wear ring technology and reverse taper roller bearings – into a split-case pump design that can handle most slurry-handling tasks at both hard rock and soft rock mines. This rib-reinforced split casing can contain a wide-range of operating pressures.
Innovative design features of slurryMAX pumps
In contrast to millMAX pumps, which are an all-metal pump with a high-chrome casing that also functions as the wear lining, slurryMAX pumps are lined with a replaceable inner lining. Liners are available in a range of materials, including multiple elastomer, alloy, and polyurethane liner combinations, and are interchangeable within the common housing design.
Other design features include:
- A high-efficiency impeller, which is available with and without expelling vanes on the shroud, and in elastomer or metal options
- A removable suction plate, which facilitates impeller and suction-side assembly replacement without impacting the casing and discharge piping
- Optional drain port with plug to allow water drainage
- High performance expellers with cutting-edge centrifugal dry gland seal design. This has expanded the range of applications for slurryMAX pumps, including to thickener underflow
The result is a pump that delivers more even and predictact wear life for wet end parts, significantly lower energy consumption. They are also flexible and can be tailored to your specific use requirements, with multiple liner and casing materials available to cover a wide range of applications.
Diverse liner options for diverse operating conditions
Additional rib reinforcement and a tough spheroidal graphite iron casing are available for high-pressure (slurryMAX HP and XHP) and highly-aggressive (slurryMAX XD) operating environments. This includes processes that require a multi-stage high-pressure pumping system, high final discharge pressures, and/or high wear resistance.
The slurryMAX HP, XHP, and XD models feature thick natural-rubber elastomer liners for increased wear life with steel-reinforced plates that add stability. Designed to withstand slurry turbulence and prevent liner collapse into the impeller, these liners are available in multiple elastomer material options, and allow a wide operating flow range.
High-efficiency impeller with versatile configurations
Meanwhile, a large clearance around the impeller is designed to extend suction liner wear life and reduce power consumption, as well as allowing the pump to operate at higher speed and generate higher heads without risk of liner devulcanisation. The impeller itself is available in multiple materials and designs, including high-efficiency and elastomer options.
Demonstrating the benefits
Both millMAX and slurryMAX pumps demonstrated their benefits at Namakwa Diamond’s Kao diamond mine in Lesotho. The company has originally trialled a millMAX 8x6 (200 x 150mm) in a dense media cyclone feed to replace a third-party pump – with substantial benefits. Wear life was increased ninefold across the impeller, casing, and backliner. However, a slight gland leak caused concern and led to FLSmidth recommending a slurryMAX pump as an alternative.
With the same hydraulic performance and wear performance as the millMAX pump, the switch to a slurryMAX pump was based simply on its sealing capabilities. Implementation was similarly successful and the customer went on to order two more pumps.
Did you enjoy this article?
Then don’t miss out on our other blogs and continue the journey into the world of centrifugal slurry pumps.
Blog | The pump that set the standard: the KREBS® millMAX™.
Blog | Selecting a slurry pump for mining and minerals processing applications.
Also, have a look at our assets below and find out why our KREBS pumps are the ideal choice for your slurry pumping needs: