Pond and tank sludge pump
A pump configured for periodic desludging of settlement ponds, interceptors and wash plant tanks, where the material is thick, the duty is occasional and the access is awkward.
Features
- The duty is intermittent rather than continuous, so purchase cost and ease of deployment matter more than efficiency.
- Thick sludge behaves nothing like water — it will not flow into a suction line, which is why submerged or positive-displacement types are used.
- Delivery line velocity has to stay high enough to keep solids moving, and a long horizontal run is where these jobs fail.
- Discharge normally goes to a tanker, a filter press or a de-watering bag, and the receiving equipment sets the flow rather than the pump.
- Access is usually through a manhole or over a bund, so unit dimensions and lifting points are part of the specification.
Specifications
| Figure | Typical range | Unit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum flow | 10 - 120 | m³/h | Often limited by the receiving equipment, not the pump. |
| Solids concentration by weight | up to 60 | % | Thick sludge will not flow into a suction line. |
| Maximum solids size | 20 - 60 | mm | Ponds contain more than fines. |
| Unit dimensions (L × W × H) | 600 × 500 × 900 | mm | Must pass through the available access. |
| Discharge connection | tanker / bag / press | The receiving equipment sets the achievable rate. |