Abstract
Due to the time-consuming nature of froth testing in a laboratory environment, practical limitations require the development of a method of applying a single set of performance test data (Visintainer and Whitlock, 2012) obtained for a single froth pump at a given speed to a range of froth pump speeds and sizes, % air content and liquid viscosities. Head, efficiency and flow all vary as functions of both liquid viscosity and air content. As such, it is necessary to develop a technique that can be used to interpolate from existing test data in order to predict froth performance for pumps of various sizes running at variable speeds. Details of the technique developed in order to achieve this goal, as well as the insights gained from analysis of the resulting regressions, are discussed. Additionally, comparisons are made between the performance predictions of this test-derived method and those of the Hydraulic Institute standard for the effects of liquid viscosity on centrifugal pump performance (ANSI, 2010).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American National Standards Institute and Hydraulic Institute, 2010, ANSI/HI 9.6.7-2010, “Effects of liquid viscosity on rotodynamic (centrifugal and vertical) pump performance,” Parsippany, NJ: Hydraulic Institute.
American National Standards Institute and Hydraulic Institute, 2011, ANSI/HI 12.1-12.6-2011, “Rotodynamic (centrifugal) slurry pumps,” Parsippany, NJ: Hydraulic Institute.
Gysling, D.L., and Mueller, E., 2004, “Application of sonar-based, clamp-on flow meter in oilsand processing,” Presented at ISA 2004 Exhibit and Conference, Edmonton, AB, April.
Visintainer, R.J., and Whitlock, W.L., 2012, “Development and Testing of a more Effective Froth Handling Pump,” 44th Annual Canadian Mineral Processors Conference, Ottawa, Ontario, Jan. 2012.
Walker, C.I. and Goulas, A., 1984, “Performance characteristics of centrifugal pump when handling non-Newtonian slurries,” Proceedings Institute Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 198A, pp. 41–49.
White, F.M., 1991, Viscous Fluid Flow, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill, NY.
Wilson, K.C., Addie, G.R., Sellgren, A., and Clift, R., 2006, “Vertical and inclined slurry fow,” Slurry Transport Using Centrifugal Pumps, 3rd Ed., New York: Springer, pp. 172–189.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Furlan, J.M., Visintainer, R.J. Characterization and scaling of froth pump performance. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 31, 48–56 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402348
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402348