Demystifying Slurry Pump Flow Rate and Head

When selecting a slurry pump, the first step is to determine the desired flow rate and head. The model of the slurry pump and the appropriate motor size should be chosen according to the required flow rate and head at the site. But what exactly are flow rate and head? Pan Shi Pump Industry will explain these two terms in simple terms.

Since the slurry pump’s design principle falls into the category of centrifugal pumps, we can refer to the concept and calculations of head in centrifugal pumps for a better understanding.

1. Understanding the Head of a Slurry Pump

The head of a slurry pump, also known as pump head, refers to the height to which the pump can lift and transport the slurry and the force exerted on the slurry. It can also be seen as the energy that the pump imparts per unit weight of the slurry. The head of the pump is determined by the size of the impeller, the curvature of the blades, and the rotational speed.

2. Understanding the Flow Rate of a Slurry Pump

The flow rate of a slurry pump is the amount of slurry that the pump needs to process within a unit of time. For example, if the pump is required to handle 20 cubic meters of slurry in one hour, then the flow rate is 20 cubic meters per hour.