SLURRY PUMP SELECTION SOFTWARE

Slurrytech™ Curve Engine™ is an Excel^® based software package that allows the user to perform Newtonian slurry calculations and to view the results overlaid onto a pump performance curve as a system resistance curve.

Calculate - Curve Engine™ allows the user to enter system design parameters, it then calculates the system resistance for clear water and slurry.

Select - Users can overlay any performance curve to see which pump best matches the system requirements.

Configure - Specific details on construction materials, sealing arrangement, drive configuration and more can be entered to configure the pump to suit the process conditions.

Supply - Simply email Slurrytech a copy of the summary sheet which will tell us the exact entries you have made into Curve Engine for your pump configuration. Streamlining of the selection and enquiry phase leads to a clearly defined ordering and supply process.

FEATURES

Curve Engine™ will allow you to calculate the total system loss for one diameter intake and discharge pipe size, if you have multiple discharge pipe diameters please contact us.

With an easy to negotiate user interface Curve Engine allows you to quickly change variables in system and process design through slide-bar controls. This gives the user unprecedented design flexibility as they can view in real time the results of changes in process and system variables on the pump performance and overall design.

Curve Engine™ results are based in "real world" application knowledge. Most system and performance calculators present results for "As New" systems and equipment, this includes pump components and pipe lines. Whilst this is fine for modelling a new plant it does not represent "real world" wear conditions that effect the calculated results. However Curve Engine™ does!!

Our system curves can be generated based on semi worn pipe roughness and not just on smooth new pipe wall roughness. This means that from the onset there is redundancy built into the design which will allow for system deterioration over time with minimal performance offset. 

 

CURVE ENGINE OVERVIEW

 

CURVE HEADER

 

Curve RPM - Shows the curve plot RPM under normal operational conditions.

Mat RPM - Shows the rpm limits for materials selected and corresponding curve legend.

Mech RPM - Shows the rpm limits for mechanical components i.e. bearing frame and corresponding curve legend.

Duty RPM - Shows the rpm for duty point plot. This rpm should at all times be below Material and Mechanical rpm limits.

TDH Water - System curve for water performance.

TDH Slurry - System curve for slurry performance.

Duty Point - Intersect between system curve and pump performance.

Set Velocity - The calculated settling velocity for the slurry being pumped. Please check with Slurrytech if duty flow falls below this.

NPSHr - The plotted Net Positive Suction Head Required for the pump size selected.

Impeller - Shows either the Slurrytech or oem part number.

Impeller Style - Shows the style of impeller design.

Impeller Passage - Shows the Minimum through vane diameter, max particle diameter is normally 2/3's of this passage.

Impeller Vanes - The number of vanes on the impeller design.

Imp. Dia. - Shows impeller diameter and % of maximum.

Our Pump - Slurrytech pump model designation.

OEM Pump - OEM equivalent pump designation.

Frame - Bearing frame.

kW - Bearing frame kW rating.

Pump Seal - Sealing arrangement for the pump.

Liners - Materials of construction for liners.

 

CURVE BODY OVERVIEW

The Curve Body displays a graphical representation all performance criteria applicable to Pump, System and Process data.

The Curve Body also includes a Performance Summary table of key pump information and process data.

 

USER INTERFACE CONTROLS

Check Boxes

Allow for curve efficiency to be corrected for front or rear vane filling of impeller. Can also be selected where necessary when pump is being fitted with a mechanical seal

Drop Down Boxes

Allows for selection of impeller / curve / pump size.

Allows user to set display units for performance curve. Note: does not convert input units.

Scroll Bars

Scroll bars control process and system design variables.

Changes made to system and process scroll bars are immediately calculated and reflected in the duty point and system resistance curve. This gives the user the unprecedented capacity to view in real time how changes to inputs will effect system and pump performance and interaction.

Users can nominate the degree of wear in the piping system. Facilitates redundancy in system designs to account for performance reduction with wear.

Cw% - Scroll range 0 - 65% concentration of solids by weight.

Ss -  Scroll range 1 - 8 for specific gravity of solids phase.

Pipe ID - Scroll range 0 - 600mm for pipe ID.

d50 - Scroll range 20 - 3000 micron for solids d50 particle size.

Sl - Scroll range 0.9 - 1.2 for specific gravity of liquid phase.

Len - Discharge pipe length. Scroll range 0 - 3000 metres of pipe length.

Toggle Buttons

Allows user to modify flow and head entries from within the curve body.

 

ADDITIONAL DISPLAYS

Power Graphs

Allows user to see the pump power and torque plotted against the available from the nominated driver size.

Velocity Profiles

 

Allows user to see velocities plotted in both graphical and design profiles. Assists with ensuring operation within constraints.

 

DATA ENTRY FIELDS 

All Data Entry Fields are recognised by their white background. Greyed out sections are for calculated data.

The Process Data section allows the user to enter the specific duty flow as well as temperature and elevation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Data allows the user to expand on the basic pipe diameter and length inputs from scroll bars. It also facilitates the entry of intake and discharge static heads as well as terminal or discharge pressure if required (cyclones etc.).

The user can also change the pipe material in this area through drop down boxes for both intake and discharge. The program will automatically modify the pipe roughness factor for the different materials used.

A summary of Total Dynamic Head is given in this section along with a duty summary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculated Data displays a summary of all critical calculated data for user review.

Warning data is normally displayed in red.

 

 

 

 

 

Pump Selection Data is returned from performance curve entries and duty point parameters.

Power is calculated based on curve efficiency, seal selection, drive loss and VSD factors. A minimum motor size factor of 1.2 on calculated kW is recommended.

Drive costs should also be examined in further detail through the link to our Leverlink Drive Cost Analysis. This analysis will allow you to identify the true cost of belt driving and will recommend the best technology available to reduce these costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Check Boxes in Assumed Data have no function other than to advise the client of assumptions made in the calculation and selection process.

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED USE

All pumps have a range of constraints for performance based on factors of design and size. The objective of an engineer is to match the performance constraints of a pump to the design and subsequent performance constraints of a system.

Our recommendation is that the engineer focus on the primary objective of getting product from point A to point B in the most economical fashion possible through thorough system design with a key understanding of the performance constraints of pumps to carry out the task.

To ensure this occurs we recommend:

1. To ensure that you have entered all system and process variables correctly into the allocated fields either directly or through use of UI control.

2. Search through performance curves listed to find a best match pump performance for duty conditions given. This will involve having a key understanding of the constraints to which the equipment can perform and be applied. Factors such as impeller tip speeds, materials of construction, NPSHa, temperature, maximum pressure ratings, sealing arrangements, motor sizing, drive configuration and more will need to be considered.

Please feel free to contact Slurrytech if you should require additional assistance in these areas.

 

DOWNLOADS

Slurrytech Curve Engine 1.45 is available for request download here

Please email us if you would like to be include on our email updates list Curve Engine Updates.

 

COMMON QUESTIONS

Q. Why does the head for slurry curve vary from the water curve?

A. A number of factors influence the system and pump performance for solids pumping. Solids size, concentration and mass all effect the pump performance, corrections for these influences are shown in the HRn (Head Ratio Newtonian) and ERn (Efficiency Ratio Newtonian) values. Pump performance is based on water testing so we need to correct the water loss for solids influence.

Q. Why does the slurry loss curve kick up at lower flows? I would think it should follow the water curve?

A. This is due to the influence of solids in the system performance. For Newtonian slurries the solids can drop out of suspension if they are not carried at a fast enough speed (velocity), this is called the Set V or settling velocity. Settling velocity is a calculated value based on the concentration and mass of the solids. If our carrying or duty point velocity is less than the settling velocity solids will begin to fall out of suspension and form a moving bed on the bottom of the pipe. If the velocity is too low this bed becomes bogged down and the pipe begins to plug which equates to a smaller opening and higher head loss. This is why the curve kicks back up at flows below the Set V point.     

Q. Why can't I see my duty point?

A. Generally this is because the system resistance or head is beyond the pumps capacity. Try increasing the pipe diameter or decreasing the pipe length and see if this helps. You can also try viewing a number of different curves to see if the performance fits a different size pump better.

Q. How accurate are these curves? Performance and System?

A. Pump performance is tested in accordance with AS2417 Part 2 Class C which allows for a degree of variance in flow and head for the pumps performance.

System resistance curves are projections based on multiple variables for which no performance guarantees are given. Changes in process conditions and wear over time can and will effect the final performance outcomes for both pumps and systems. It is therefore imperative to ensure that projections are based on "real world" operational conditions so that the pump has some redundancy to accommodate process changes and performance drop off.

Q. Why can't I have a copy sent to a gmail or hotmail address?

A. Unfortunately some have tried to fraudulently obtain a copy of our software through misrepresentation. Hence only recognised domain emails are eligible. If you believe you have a genuine requirement then please feel free to state your case, however further information may be requested for verification prior to distribution.

Q. What effect do the assumed data checkboxes have?

A. None, they simply allow the user to easily check which data has been assumed.

 

CUSTOMISED CURVE ENGINE™

Curve Engine™ can be customised to reflect your organisations product performance.

Features include customised graphics and logo's to reflect your product or organisation branding as well as a modified UI to reflect parameters of your target market and applications.

Please contact us to further discuss your requirements admin@slurrytech.net

 

CONDITIONS OF USE. Slurrytech SOFTWARE PRODUCTS. ©2007 Slurrytech.

Through use of this software you accept the CONDITIONS OF USE in their entirety and without limitation.

Slurrytech is the owner of the copyright subsisting in this Software ("Software") stored on electronic media and in all drawings, diagrams and other documents reproducible from it.

The user to whom this software is supplied is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use this Software, drawings, diagrams and other documents reproducible from it solely for the purpose of assisting in the selection of Slurry Tech products and their application.

Information contained herein may not be reproduce, copied or distributed in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of Slurrytech. All technical information including programming code and worksheet design / layout is confidential to Slurrytech and may only be used for the specific purpose for which they have been provided.

Users may not reverse compile or disassemble any part of the Software, or otherwise attempt to gain access to the source code of the Software.

Slurrytech reserves the right to change the design of any product or part of any product depicted in this software, drawings, performance representation, or the wording of any information contained herein without prior notification to the User.

Except as otherwise provided by State or Federal Law, no warranties are given or liability accepted as to the Software and the documents, drawing, diagrams or performance representations or information reproducible from it, whether express or implied, including without limitation any warranties of: fitness for a particular purpose; outcomes of application; compatibility with any particular system; data integrity; or performance of the Software on the User's computer system.

Slurrytech's liability for any consequential loss which the User may sustain through application of this software shall be limited to supplying the Software again.