iPhone Application

Slurry Pump System Calculator

Instructions
 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Press + to start a New Enter in Title of the Press on saved calculation

Calculation Calculation. to open and start
calculation.

Select U.S. Customary or Select Slurry Properties. Slurry Properties Continued.

Metric Units. Note: Units Enter in known properties of Enter in Water Temperature
can be interchanged at any the Slurry. and Atmospheric Pressure.
time.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Select Type of System. Enter in the desired flow rate Select Type of Discharge
and select Discharge Pipe Pipe. (Example HDPE)
Properties.

Select Pipe Rating. Scroll Down to select pipe Enter in discharge pipe
(Example 130 psi DR 13.5) diameter. angle and static head
(Example 5.584” ID, 6”) requirements.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Select Discharge fittings type Select Suction Properties. Select Suction Pipe
and quantity. Properties.

Select Type of Suction Pipe. Select Suction Pipe Rating. Scroll Down to select
(Example Steel) (Example Sch 40) Suction pipe diameter.
(Example 10.02” ID, 10”)

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Select Suction fittings type Select Results Results for Equivalent

and quantity. Water Head at desired flow
rate. Ensure the Velocity
Check is set to Good.

Pump System, Flow and Select Slurry for more

Select System Data for more
details. Equivalent Water Head details.
results.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Details about the Slurry, Details about the Slurry, Details about the Slurry,
Settling Velocities, Settling Velocities, Settling Velocities,
Correction Factors, etc. Correction Factors, etc. Correction Factors, etc.

Select Carrier Fluid for more Details about the carrier fluid Select Discharge for more
details. is provided. details.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Details about the discharge Details about the discharge Select Suction for more
is provided based on is provided based on details.
pumping water. pumping water.

Details about the suction is Details about the suction is

provided based on pumping provided based on pumping
water. water.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

Q&A

1. What do I do if the Velocity Check says Low?

If the Velocity Check displays Low, go to the Results Page and click on Slurry. The program uses
an average of three settling velocity theories, Durand, Schiller and Wasp. The user can look at
each value separately and decide if one of the settling velocity theories meets their minimum
criteria for settling velocity. Otherwise the user will have to increase the system flow rate, and
(or) decrease the discharge pipe internal diameter, and (or) decrease the slurry concentration,
and (or) decrease the average solid size and (or) change the discharge pipe angle.

2. What is Equivalent Water Head (Pressure)?

Equivalent Water Head is a corrected head (Pressure) used for selecting slurry pumps that have
been tested using water as the medium. Almost all slurry pump manufacturers use water to
test their slurry pumps and publish their tested curves based on water in order to standardize
the results. Each manufacturer has a head (Pressure) and efficiency correction factor which is
applied to each application and adds a margin to the head requirement.
The basic calculation procedure is as follows:
a. Friction Head Calculation based on water (Piping System Only).
b. Corrected Friction Head Calculation based on slurry (Piping System Only).
c. Total Head Slurry (Piping System Only)=Corrected Friction Slurry Head + Static Head
d. Total Equivalent Water Head = TDH Slurry / Pump Correction Factor

3. Should I add an extra margin of Head (Pressure) to the Total Equivalent Water Head results?
We typically do not recommend adding any type of margin to the results because the results
already have margins and estimations built into the formulas and the results are
approximations. If margins are added to the final Total Equivalent Water Head result the pump
will run the risk of running significantly off best efficiency point, which can cause premature
wear to the impeller & casing plus this can create mechanical problems with seals, shafts and
bearings. If the slurry and or process is relatively unknown or if the process requires a more
accurate flow rate then we would suggest using a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to control the
speed of the pump/motor to increase or decrease the head as required to maintain a more
accurate flow rate.

4. What if I have multiple pipe sizes in series? (Example: 4” – 500ft to a 6” – 1000 ft)
The current program does not accommodate multiple pipe sizes within one series pipe system.
If the user would like to use the program to calculate multiple pipe sizes we would suggest they
split the system into sections based on the pipe diameters. The user would complete separate
calculations then add the results for each section. Always take into account the settling velocity
and static head for each part of the system.

5. Can I calculate Sewage or Paper Pulp Slurries?

No, the Slurry Pump System Calculator was designed to be used with mineral and sand slurries
or other slurries that have relative characteristics as the above.

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 Slurry Pump System Calculator Instructions

6. Can I calculate Non-Newtonian slurries?

No, the Slurry Pump System Calculator only allows the user to use water as the carrier liquid.
Non-Newtonian slurries can be complex and each Non-Newtonian slurry requires in depth
analysis and Rheological study.

7. What if the head requirement is high for the desired pump technology?

If the head requirement is high for the desired pump technology (ex. Submersible Slurry Pumps),
then the user will have to adjust the slurry concentration or piping system to decrease the head
requirement, in some cases this becomes a real application challenge. We would suggest
lowering the system flow rate, and (or) decreasing the static head requirement, and (or)
increasing the discharge pipe internal diameter, and (or) decrease the slurry concentration, and
(or) decrease the average solid size.

Contact
Keystone Pumps

1-888-875-3323
P 604-227-3555
F 604-229-0494
info@keystonepumps.com

Disclaimer
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR
TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
© 2011 Keystone Pumps

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