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Showing posts from December, 2021

How does a dredge pump work?

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A dredge pump contains a pump casing and an impeller. The impeller is mounted in the pump casing and connected to the drive motor via a gearbox and shaft. The front part of the pump casing is sealed with a suction cover and connected directly to the suction pipe of the dredger. The discharge port of the dredge pump is located near the top of the dredge pump and is connected to a separate discharge line.   The impeller is considered the heart of the dredge pump and is similar to a fan that expels air and creates centrifugal suction. At the suction pipe, this vacuum absorbs the slurry and transports the material through the discharge line.     Main selection requirements for dredge pumps. In addition to economic considerations, the two main selection considerations for  dredge pump operation  are the absence of sediment settling in the pump and the minimum amount of wear in the pump due to flow operation. The key design parameters to meet the main requirements are installation type, crit

How to choose a dredge pump?

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The selection of a dredge or mud pump can be a challenging process that can be simplified by understanding the main factors behind the smooth operation of a pump. In addition to providing more efficient performance, the right dredge pump requires less maintenance, less power and a relatively longer life.   What is a dredge pump? A dredge pump  is a horizontal centrifugal pump that is the heart of a dredger. It is designed to handle suspended abrasive granular materials and solids of limited size. Without a dredge pump, a stranded dredger would not be able to transport mud.   The dredge pump is designed to draw sediment, debris and other hazardous materials from the surface layer into the suction pipe and transport the material through the pipe to the discharge site. The pump must be able to handle common solid debris of various sizes that can pass through the pump, thus minimizing the downtime required for cleaning.  

Check the belt tension of your slurry pump

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  Check Impeller Clearance Occasionally checking impeller clearance will allow for optimal performance. Consult your manual for the correct clearance. When checking the clearance, watch for excessive wear on the impeller and other fluid catching parts. Wear of the fluid-connected parts can cause an increase in clearance, which can lead to a decrease in performance. Wear can be caused by wear of the product being pumped or by the pump running off  the pump design curve .   Monitor the pump temperature If the motor overheats, the sensor will trip and the pump will shut down until the motor cools. If the sensor is not connected, you run the risk of burning out the motor. Our horizontal and cantilever pumps require a weekly check of the bearing temperature while the pump is running. Use a temperature gun to check the temperature of the bearing housing closest to the bearing. While most pump bearings operate in the 140 to 170 F range, I recommend never letting the temperature exceed the 200

How to ensure proper maintenance of your slurry pump?

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Check the belt tension of your slurry pump If your slurry pump is belt driven, check the tension at least once a quarter. A belt that is too tight can cause damage to the light tandem motor bearing and once that bearing fails,  the thrust bearing in the pump  will begin to fail. Running the belt too loose can lead to poor performance and slippage, which can damage the pulley.     Determining if the belt is loose in a slurry pump I like to use the Gates Tension Tester. It is a simple tool with instructions. An experienced ear can tell if the belts are too loose. They will make a fluttering sound. Before you start noticing bearing failure, a belt that is too tight may cause the motor to pull high current or the bearing temperature to rise.   Check the oil If your pump is oil lubricated, check it regularly to make sure there is no water or product in the oil. If your seals are OK, regular oil changes will extend the life of any pump. Water is bad because it can cause bearing and/or motor