In deep excavation sites and operations with slurries, bentonite pumping is one of the most challenging applications: the fluid is abrasive, tends to stress impellers and seals, and often needs to be transferred over significant distances to the separation or treatment plant. In these cases, a "powerful pump" is not enough: a solution designed for pressure loss, flow rate, head, and wear resistance is needed.
Aquageo supported a construction company in Italy in selecting a reliable system for transferring water with bentonite from a deep construction site area to the separation plant.
Application Context
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Construction site with deep excavation.
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Fluid: water with bentonite (abrasive)-
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Transfer distance: about 400 m to the separation plant.
The Challenge: Insufficient Performance with High-Speed Pumps
The client initially used "high-speed" pumps but did not achieve the expected results.
With abrasive fluids like bentonite, non-optimized solutions can lead to:
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performance drops and difficulty in maintaining flow rate/head;
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increased mechanical stress and accelerated wear;
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frequent downtime and maintenance, impacting construction time and costs.
The goal was to ensure stable and continuous pumping over long distances, with a configuration more suited to abrasive liquids.
The Aquageo Solution: Booster with Tsurumi Pumps in Series (KRS2-150)
To solve the problem, a booster configuration with low-speed pumps connected in series was designed, using the Tsurumi KRS2-150 model. The design logic is simple and very effective:
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the low rotation speed makes the pump more suitable for abrasive applications, reducing stress on critical components;
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the series connection allows achieving the necessary head to overcome pressure losses over long pipelines, maintaining pumping continuity to the delivery point.
Application Test and Setup
The solution was verified with an operational test:
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supply from a container placed about 5 m high towards the booster system;
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fluid transfer with bentonite through a pipeline up to 400 m;
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delivery to the separation plant.
The test result confirmed the validity of the configuration, making the system a reference for the application.
Wear Management: Designing Maintenance as Well
In bentonite pumping, it is normal for some components to be subject to more intense wear. For this reason, Aquageo considers proper maintenance planning and the selection of the most exposed components (e.g., impeller, agitator, suction plate, seals, pump body, and joints) as part of the solution, depending on solids concentration and working hours.
Benefits for the Client
The adoption of the booster system with low-speed pumps allowed achieving:
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effective bentonite pumping in abrasive conditions;
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reliable long-distance transfer (about 400 m) to the separation plant;
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more stable performance compared to non-optimized high-speed solutions;
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reduced risk of plant downtime, thanks to a configuration more suited to heavy-duty service;
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greater possibility to standardize the solution for future construction sites with similar characteristics.