Alumina Refinery Pump: Revolutionizing Slurry Handling in Alumina Production

Challenges in Current Pump Technology

In the alumina refinery industry, handling aluminum oxide slurry presents numerous challenges due to its abrasive and corrosive nature. Common issues include:

· Short lifespan of wet-end parts: High-concentration abrasive slurries cause rapid wear.

· Ineffective shaft seals: Poor sealing leads to frequent leaks, increasing maintenance costs and operational downtime.

· Non-standardized pump components: Limited compatibility complicates repairs and increases spare part requirements.

These challenges highlight the need for durable and reliable solutions like our slurry pump for alumina production, designed to meet the rigorous demands of the industry.

Main pump positions and selection points in alumina production

1. Raw pulp preparation process

Main pump positions: mud pump, pulp pump, alkali liquor pump, slag slurry sewage pump, evaporation mother liquor pump, lime milk pump, etc.

For handling high-concentration slurry in this stage, the Horizontal Slurry Pump is the ideal choice for mud pumping, delivering excellent performance under high solid content and density. The Vertical Slurry Pumpis highly effective for pulp transfer operations, ensuring smooth operation even with large particle sizes and high hardness.

For alkali liquor handling, the ZGB Slurry Pump offers superior resistance to corrosion in high-pH environments. The Submersible Slurry Pumpexcels in submerged conditions for slag slurry sewage applications. Additionally, the Dredge Gravel Pump ensures consistent and efficient transfer of evaporation mother liquor and lime milk.

Selection points:

· High pulp concentration, solid content, and density.

· Large particle size and hardness.

· Recommended speed below 730rpm with frequency conversion regulation.

2. Pressure boiling digestion process

Main pump positions: raw slurry pump, diluted slurry pump, discharge pump, red mud washing pump, slurry sewage pump, condensate pump, circulating pump, sewage pump, etc.

For red mud washing, the ZGB Slurry Pump ensures high durability, while the Submersible Slurry Pump provides optimal performance for slurry sewage in submerged conditions.

Selection points:

· Lower concentration, solid content, and density compared to the raw pulp process.

· Recommended speed below 980rpm with frequency conversion regulation.

3.Dilution of dissolved pulp and separation and washing of red mud

Main pump positions: underflow pump, feed pump, sewage pump, crude liquid pump, semen pump, overflow pump, etc.

In this phase, the Vertical Slurry Pump delivers outstanding performance for underflow and feed pump applications, even in high-viscosity slurry containing flocculants. The Froth Pump is particularly effective for crude liquid transfer, ensuring uninterrupted operation in foam-laden environments.

Selection points:

· High-viscosity slurry containing flocculants.

· Recommended speed below 980rpm with frequency conversion regulation.

4. Seed Decomposition Process

Main pump positions: seed pump, heat exchanger feed pump, intermediate cooling pump, cooling water pump, underflow pump of prototype mother liquor tank, circulating pump, mother liquor pump, sewage pump, etc.

The Horizontal Slurry Pump is ideal for seed pumping, ensuring smooth operation even with slurry stuttering. The Vertical Slurry Pump provides excellent reliability for heat exchanger feed and cooling water pumping.

For submerged underflow pumping, the Submersible Slurry Pump is highly efficient. The ZGB Slurry Pump is recommended for circulating and mother liquor pumping due to its ability to handle demanding conditions.

Selection points:

· High stuttering of slurry.

· Recommended speed below 980rpm with frequency conversion regulation.

5. Mother liquor evaporation and soda causticization process

Main pump positions: feed pump, mother liquor pump, underflow pump, circulating pump, condensate pump, lime milk pump, forced circulation pump, sewage pump, etc.

For high-temperature and high-pH conditions in this process, the Horizontal Slurry Pump is suitable for feed and underflow applications. The Dredge Gravel Pump is the best choice for lime milk transfer due to its exceptional abrasion resistance.

In high-demand applications like forced circulation, the ZGB Slurry Pump maintains superior performance, while the Submersible Slurry Pump excels in submerged condensate pumping.

Selection points:

· Slurry with stutter, high temperature, and high pH value.

· Recommended speed below 1480rpm with frequency conversion regulation.

Proven Success: Real-World Applications

Case Study: Alumina Refinery in Southeast Asia

By upgrading to our Horizontal Slurry Pump and ZGB Slurry Pump, a major alumina refinery achieved:

· A 35% reduction in maintenance costs.

· Over 50% increase in pump lifespan.

· Enhanced production stability with uninterrupted operations.

Case Study: Red Mud Washing Plant in the Middle East

Using our Vertical Slurry Pump and Submersible Slurry Pump for high-viscosity red mud slurry resulted in:

· A 20% improvement in pumping efficiency.

· Complete elimination of clogging in underflow and sewage pumping.

Recommended Slurry Pumps for Alumina Refinery Applications

Based on the demanding requirements of alumina production, the following pumps are highly suitable:

· Horizontal Slurry Pump

· Vertical Slurry Pump

· Froth Pump

· Dredge Gravel Pump

· ZGB Slurry Pump

· Submersible Slurry Pump

Each of these pumps offers unique advantages in handling high-concentration slurries, abrasive particles, and challenging operating conditions.

Advantages of Using High-Performance Slurry Pumps in Alumina Refinery

· Enhanced durability of wet-end parts to withstand abrasive particles.

· Improved sealing systems for reliable operation.

· Optimized designs for lower operating speeds, ensuring longer service life.

· Compatibility with frequency conversion regulation for process flexibility.