Slurry Flow Meter
Slurry Flow Meter
Slurry flow measurement is one of the most demanding applications in industrial flow instrumentation. High solids content, abrasive particles, variable density, and aggressive chemistry combine to destroy conventional flow meters in short order. Turbine meters, paddlewheels, and differential pressure devices can't survive long in abrasive slurry service.
Magnetic flow meters are the practical standard for most slurry applications. The full-bore design eliminates any point of obstruction where solids can accumulate or abrasion can concentrate. Wear-resistant liner materials — polyurethane for abrasive slurries, rubber for general slurry service — protect the meter body and maintain accuracy over long service intervals.
Why MAG meters for slurry?
The electromagnetic measurement principle requires only that the slurry be electrically conductive. Most aqueous slurries — mineral processing tailings, cement, coal slurry, paper pulp — are conductive and work directly with standard MAG meters. The full-bore measurement tube has no restrictions, no moving parts, and no wear points in the flow path.
Hard-facing options on the electrodes and high-hardness liner materials extend service life significantly in aggressive abrasive service. In extreme cases, ceramic-lined meters are available for the most abrasive applications.
Common slurry flow meter applications
• Mining and mineral processing — ore slurry, tailings, and concentrate flow measurement
• Cement and concrete — cement slurry and ready-mix flow measurement
• Paper and pulp — pulp stock flow measurement on paper machines and pulping systems
• Dredging — dredge slurry pipeline flow measurement for production monitoring
• Coal slurry — coal-water slurry pipeline measurement in coal preparation plants
• Wastewater and biosolids — high-solids sewage sludge and biosolids flow measurement
• Chemical slurries — catalyst slurry, pigment slurry, and other process slurries in chemical plants
What to look for when selecting a slurry flow meter
Liner selection is the most critical decision. Polyurethane offers the best abrasion resistance for high-velocity abrasive slurries (sand, mineral ore, coal). Natural rubber is a good general-purpose choice for moderate abrasion. PTFE provides chemical resistance but is softer and less abrasion-resistant — use it for corrosive slurries where abrasion is secondary.
Flow velocity matters more in slurry applications than in clean fluid service. Minimum velocity must be sufficient to keep solids in suspension — typically 1.5 to 3 m/s depending on particle size and density. Maximum velocity should be controlled to limit abrasive wear on the liner and electrodes.
Electrode protection options including recessed electrodes and hard-coated electrode tips extend service life in aggressive slurry service. Specify your slids percentage, particle size, and slurry density when ordering so we can recommend the right configuration.
|
Application |
Recommended Meter |
Why |
|
Mineral processing, mining |
MAG Meter, polyurethane liner |
Best abrasion resistance for high-velocity ore slurry |
|
Cement, concrete |
MAG Meter, rubber liner |
General slurry service, good abrasion resistance |
|
Paper pulp |
MAG Meter, rubber liner |
Handles fibrous material, full-bore design |
|
Corrosive chemical slurry |
MAG Meter, PTFE liner |
Chemical resistance, Hastelloy electrodes |
|
Large slurry pipelines, 8"+ |
Insertion MAG Meter |
Hot-tap installation, no pipeline shutdown |
In stock and ready to ship
Slurry-rated MAG meters ship from Salinas, CA. Contact us with your pipe size, solids percentage, particle characteristics, and flow velocity range for liner and electrode recommendations. Standard sizes in stock; custom configurations available.
Call us at (831) 244-8080 to talk through your application, or go straight to the product page to configure and order.