Different pumps are often required for different, or more specific, applications. For instance, slurry pumps are made for pumping slurry—while other specialized pumps are made to pump thermal oil or hot water. Two common pumps used in many industries are sludge and slurry pumps. But these aren’t one and the same. Here’s a helpful primer on the differences between the two. 

First, Defining Sludge and Slurry

It stands to reason that if sludge and slurry pumps aren’t the same thing then sludge and slurry aren’t either. And that’s correct. There is a difference between the two materials. 

Sludge is a general term for any solids apart from suspension in a liquid. This could be any near-solid or semi-solid material that’s left over from a variety of processes: water/wastewater treatment and industrial being two primary ones. 

Slurry, on the other hand, is defined as any flowing or flowable suspension of particles in liquid. Cement slurry from construction applications is a highly recognizable example. Other industries where slurry is a routine byproduct includes mining and agriculture or renewable natural gas (RNG). 

Some forms of mining produce liquid waste which possesses high levels of toxicity; this waste is then pooled into sizable dams or slurry tailing ponds. Slurry is also common in agriculture—often a blend of animal waste, other organic compounds, and water—which is routinely saved as fertilizer in a slurry pit. 

Sludge and slurry are highly different from one another—there’s a big difference in thickness, which is due to the discrepancy in both particle shape and size. 

Sludge vs. Slurry Pumps

For this reason, slurry can be pumped in large part by slurry pumps or centrifugal pumps. This is not the case for sludge. Sludge requires a different kind of pump to adequately meet the needs of the material makeup. 

Slurry is essentially small solids inside of a liquid. Sludge is nearby solids in liquid, which calls for sludge pumps, diapham pumps, lobes, or progressive cavity pumps to properly pump the material through. 

Additionally, slurry pumps have certain key characteristics:

·        Large shaft and bearing  to reduce shaft reflection;

·        Low velocity reduce wear;

·        Heavier cast parts made from abrasion resistant materials;

·        Mech seal designed for slurries. 

Our Slurry Pump

Vulcan Pumps offers a first-rate submersible slurry pump that is made custom to your application. It is U.S.-made with premium metallurgy. Plus, we perform enhanced quality control prior to assembly and as we manufacture. You can learn about its key features and our quality standpoint across the board. Connect with us to see how we can best meet your specific application needs!