Performance Characteristics of Slurry Pumps with Coal Ash

Thermal power plants generate more than half of the world's electric power by burning millions of tonnes of coal and simultaneously produce large quantity of coal ash. Slurry pipelines are commonly used across the world for the transportation of coal ash (fly ash and bottom ash) from the plant to the ash ponds in thermal power plants. Slurry pumps are extensively used in the hydraulic transportation of solids through pipes in the form of slurry over short/medium distances. Today a wide range of slurry pumps are available and they are generally classified into two main categories namely positive displacement and centrifugal type. These pumps differ considerably in design and construction and hence the performance of these pumps changes depending upon the flow behavior of the slurry. The experimental studies carried out are aimed at generating extensive data and provide some insight into the existing gaps in the knowledge on the performance of centrifugal and progressive cavity screw pumps handling highly concentrated slurries.