What Is a Sand Pump?
Sand pumps are used mainly at construction sites and river construction sites to suck up sludge and gravel.
However, sand pumps are equipped with a function that automatically prevents clogging, so they can be used safely even in areas with large amounts of sludge, gravel, or other impurities. Most sand pumps are more robust than normal pumps to prevent breakage when impurities are sucked in.
Uses of Sand Pumps
1. Mining and Excavation Industry
When mining ores and minerals, there is sometimes a mixture of earth, sand, and gravel. Sand pumps can pump slurries containing these solid particles and are used to transfer and process ores and minerals.
2. Construction
Construction sites generate large amounts of earth, sand, and gravel during foundation burial and drainage operations. Sand pumps are utilized to efficiently drain and transfer water and liquids containing these solid particles.
3. Marine Engineering
Sand pumps are also used to remove sediment and bedrock from the seafloor and during the construction of dikes and wharves. Pumping slurry from the seabed improves the efficiency of subsea construction.
4. Oil and Gas Industry
In oil and gas drilling operations, sand pumps are utilized to remove slurry generated in the borehole. They may also be used to process solid particles in wells.
5. Environmental Engineering
Sand pumps are also used in dredging operations in rivers and lakes, as well as in the cleanup of contaminated soil. They suck up the solid particles along with the liquid and transfer them to the treatment plant.
6. Agriculture
Agriculture requires the transfer and drainage of water and liquids. In particular, sand pumps are sometimes used in irrigation and drainage applications.
7. Industrial Applications
General industrial processes may also require the transfer of liquids containing solid particles. Sand pumps are used in such situations to increase production efficiency.
Principle of Sand Pumps
1. Suction
Sand pumps suck up slurry through a specially designed inlet located inside the pump. In this process, the space inside the pump is under negative pressure, and the surrounding liquid and solids are suctioned.
2. Transfer of Motion
The slurry is transferred through the pump. This transfer of motion is performed by parts and mechanisms inside the pump, which move the aspirated slurry in a forward direction.
3. Discharge
After the slurry has moved forward inside the pump, it is discharged through a specific outlet. In this process, the pressure near the outlet changes, causing the slurry to move outward, and the discharged slurry is sent to its destination.
4. Special Pump Design
Sand pumps are specially designed to handle solid particles efficiently. The internal construction and pump components are designed to be durable against the passage of slurry and the deposition of solids.
5. Energy Supply
Sand pumps require an energy supply source. It is commonly driven by an electric motor or engine, which creates movement and pressure changes inside the pump.
Types of Sand Pumps
1. Ejector Pump
Ejector pumps use a jet stream of water to suction and discharge slurry. The liquid is jetted at high speed to generate negative pressure and suction the slurry. The pump has a simple structure, yet can be operated efficiently.
2. Syringe Pump
Syringe pumps suck and discharge slurry through the movement of a syringe. It is suitable for applications where precise liquid control is required and minute flow rate adjustment is possible. They are often used in the medical field and laboratories.
3. Vacuum Pump
Vacuum pumps use a vacuum to suction slurry. By generating a vacuum, liquids and solids can be efficiently suctioned. They have high suction power and are suitable for a wide range of applications.
4. Seadan Pump
Seedan pumps are manual pumps used for suctioning slurry from containers. Slurry is suctioned and discharged by the movement of the cylinder and piston. Because of its simple operation, it is used for outdoor work.
5. Schropp Pump
Schropp pumps use a flow of water to suction slurry. The water flow suctions the slurry and discharges it through a dedicated pipe. Because it uses water flow, it is highly energy efficient.