Throatbush Delivers Major Pump Wear Life Enhancements
Background of Project
The wet parts of the slurry pump include Throatbush, impeller, FLPI, and volute casing. The process of pump rebuilding takes up to 8 hours. It is beneficial to achieve synchronized wear conditions for every wet part present inside a pump. This will be achieved by profile alteration of a part or modifying the construction of the material grade. Because of their mechanical design, generally, FPLI and volute casting are longer-lasting components in comparison to the impeller and Throatbush. These parts tend to worn-out easily because they are working under the long-time impact of corrosive and abrasive slurries in the site. For the long service life of the pump parts, materials play a vital role here. The selection of the type of material to be used for the slurry pumping applications involves the speed of the slurry pump and the type of slurry pump.
Scope of Work
For this project, the scope of work involved rebuilding the pump. The work involved re-designing, manufacturing, trial fitting, and supplying wet parts to synchronize the service life of the rest of the wet parts of a pump. The objective of the project was to gain longer service life for the Throatbush component by allowing further adjustment of up to 80% of wall thickness from the original design.
Challenges
A mining company approached RU as the components of their slurry pumps, especially Throatbush were wearing out faster. This happened because they were working under the longtime impact of corrosive and abrasive slurries on the site. According to the needs, RU had to re-design, manufacture, and supply the wet parts.
Solutions
Using an integrated design approach, engineers at RU redesigned, manufactured, and supplied the Throatbush component for the company. It started with an extensive simulation program aimed at understanding the wear characteristic better at the outlet and inlet of slurry pumps as well as slurry solid ratio and flow capacity. This improved the life of the wet part, and the slurry pump could function with more efficiency. This was done as part of the drive of RU to reduce the total cost of ownership of the company’s range of products. The project resulted in a new Throatbush design which provided the pump users with some significant advantages.
BENEFITS
• For extra adjustment, 80%-90% of the wall thickness
• Reduction in cost of ownership
• Increase in Variable speed drive
• Fewer pump rebuilds
• Up to 50% wear life improvement in comparison to the original design
• Synchronization with service life other wet parts
Description of Modification
• Pockets filling as indicated below in brown to increase the wall thickness of throatbush;
• Pockets filling as indicated below in brown to increase the wall thickness of throatbush;
• Material removal as indicated below in red for deeper bore and longer intake joint ring; it is for additional adjustments to maximise the utilization of throatbush;
• Longer adjusting set screw and retaining rod to accommodate the additional axial adjustment;
• The comparison of modifications has indicated as below;
Before
AfterResources Unity is the world leader for material technology with extended and experienced application in pumps, slurry valves, hydroclones, and various wear liners for minerals and mining processing industries. Based on advanced designs, the products as well as support services, add value to any corrosive, aggressive process. The leading research and material scientists, as well as the state-of-the-art production facilities, support world-class materials and products for the best wear life as well as lower cost of operation. RU addresses issues such as longevity, maintenance, operation, capacity, and efficiency.