Performance Prediction of Vertical Submersible Centrifugal Slurry Pump

Abstract

Performance prediction methodology for centrifugal submersible slurry pump has been presented in this paper. An in-depth study on various energy-head losses occurring through the pump flow in rotating reference frame has been carried out in this research work. Head-flow characteristics of the centrifugal pump have been accomplished in two stages. First performance of the centrifugal pump with clear water has been predicted by analyzing and deducting head losses from the theoretical head. Effects of solid particles size, specific gravity and concentration on pump slurry flow have been investigated. Additional head losses due to solid particles in the slurry have been predicted, analyzed and then deducted from clear water head to establish the performance of centrifugal slurry pump. The performance of centrifugal slurry pump has been predicted at with accuracy of 88 to 90 % for solid concentration of 18 % to 5 % by volume.