An overview of low-flow, high-head slurry pumping with peristaltic hose pumps and their applications in mining, thickeners, filter presses and chemical dosing.
In many industrial applications, particularly in mining and mineral processing, there are processes where slurry must be pumped at a low flow rate and high head. In such applications, positive displacement pumps can be a suitable solution because, unlike many centrifugal pumps, the head generated by positive displacement pumps is not directly dependent on flow rate.
Among the suitable solutions for these applications are the RMX and RMH peristaltic hose pumps manufactured by Pars Hesgar Paj. These pumps use a positive displacement principle and can provide reliable slurry transfer at low flow rates and high pressures.
Low-Flow Pumping at High Head
The RMX and RMH hose pumps can provide pressures of up to 16 bar at low flow rates. They can also be used in lower-pressure applications with higher flow rates, with capacities of up to 40 m³/h under suitable operating conditions.
This capability makes peristaltic hose pumps an attractive option for applications requiring the transfer of slurry at low flow rates and relatively high discharge pressures.
How Does a Peristaltic Hose Pump Work?
A peristaltic hose pump operates based on the repeated compression and release of a flexible hose.
As the rotor rotates, rollers mounted on the rotor progressively compress the hose. The compressed section pushes the material inside the hose toward the discharge side. As the roller moves away, the hose returns to its original shape, creating suction and drawing more material into the hose. The next roller then repeats the process, producing continuous pumping action.
One of the key advantages of this design is that the pumped fluid does not come into direct contact with the mechanical components of the pump and remains inside the hose. This feature is particularly important when handling abrasive or corrosive slurries.
Handling Thick and Abrasive Slurries
Peristaltic hose pumps are well suited for transferring high-viscosity slurries, fluids with high solids content, abrasive slurries and corrosive fluids.
Since the pumped material flows through the hose, the hose can be selected according to the characteristics of the fluid, including its abrasiveness, chemical compatibility, temperature and operating conditions.
As a result, the hose becomes the primary component in contact with the pumped medium, making peristaltic hose pumps particularly useful in many mining and mineral-processing applications.
Slurry Transfer from Thickeners and to Filter Presses
One of the important applications of peristaltic hose pumps in the mining industry is slurry transfer from thickeners and feeding filter presses.
These processes often involve highly concentrated slurries with a significant percentage of solids. The ability of hose pumps to handle such materials while generating high discharge pressure makes them suitable for these applications.
Furthermore, because the slurry does not pass through the mechanical components of the pump, wear on the main mechanical components in the fluid path is significantly reduced. In normal operation, the hose is generally the primary wear component.
Peristaltic Hose Pumps for Slurry and Chemical Dosing
Another important characteristic of peristaltic hose pumps is their accurate and controllable fluid transfer. For this reason, these pumps can be used not only for slurry transfer but also as dosing pumps in various industrial applications.
For example, a copper processing operation in Brazil uses 42 peristaltic pumps for chemical dosing in the flotation section. The ability to provide accurate dosing and handle corrosive chemicals using an appropriately selected hose makes this type of pump suitable for such applications.
Conclusion
When slurry needs to be pumped at a low flow rate and high head, positive displacement pumps can offer significant advantages. Peristaltic hose pumps are particularly suitable for many of these applications because of their positive displacement operating principle, high-pressure capability, ability to handle thick and abrasive slurries, and separation of the pumped fluid from the pump’s mechanical components.
The RMX and RMH peristaltic hose pumps manufactured by Pars Hesgar Paj can be used for applications such as slurry transfer, filter press feeding, slurry transfer from thickeners and chemical dosing, offering a practical solution for demanding mining and industrial processes.
