Slurry Pump
A pneumatic slurry pump is an air-driven double-diaphragm pump used to dewater underground workings where the water carries mud, silt and abrasive solids. Vikay supplies the VK-PSP range from India in models KPD 170 and KPD 250, with 40 to 70 metre delivery head.
Water in a shaft bottom or decline is rarely clean, and it is the solids that destroy conventional pumps. A double-diaphragm design has no rotating seals or impeller in the flow path, passes solids without clogging, and can be run dry or dead-headed against a closed valve without damage, which is what makes it survivable in mine dewatering.
Running on compressed air removes electrical equipment from a wet, confined working, and pump speed is controlled simply by throttling the air supply.
The VK-PSP is supplied in two models, KPD 170 and KPD 250, delivering 40 to 70 metres of head. Typical duties are shaft sinking, declines and ramps, development drives, tunnels and dam and civil works.
FAQS
Why use a pneumatic diaphragm pump for mine dewatering?
- It has no seals or impeller in the flow path, so it handles mud, silt and abrasive solids without clogging, can run dry or against a closed discharge without damage, and needs no electrical supply in a wet working.
What head can these pumps deliver?
- 40 to 70 metres, across the KPD 170 and KPD 250 models.
How is the pump's output controlled?
- By throttling the compressed air supply. There is no variable speed drive or electrical control to install underground.
