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Pulp

Pulp pumps

How to choose Pulp pumps

Selecting centrifugal pumps for the pulp & paper industry requires prioritizing anti-clogging and anti-fiber-winding performance, matching material wear resistance to pulp consistency and corrosive liquor characteristics, while aligning pump operational parameters with the industry’s continuous 24h/365 production mode and specific process layout requirements.
Operating Condition Category
Key Information to Confirm
Remarks for Pulp & Paper Scenarios
Medium Type
Pulp (mechanical/chemical pulp), black liquor, white liquor, green liquor, white water, fibrous wastewater
Focus on fiber content and medium viscosity to determine anti-clogging requirements
Solid Content & Particle Size
Solid content (%), maximum particle size (mm), pulp consistency (%)
Critical for selecting impeller structures resistant to fiber winding and abrasion
Temperature & Corrosiveness
Operating temperature (℃), pH value, corrosive intensity (especially for black/white liquor)
Black/white liquor has strong alkalinity, requiring corrosion-resistant pump materials
Operation Mode
Continuous operation (24h/365) or intermittent operation, annual operating hours
Most pulp & paper processes adopt continuous production, demanding high pump reliability
Installation Method
Dry-type / Submersible / Vertical / Horizontal / Belt-driven
Match with workshop layout and process requirements (e.g., submersible for white water sump)

Choose KOLEBURG as your pump manufacturer.

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KOLEBURG Pump Manufacturer

KOLEBURG pumps, with core non-clogging technology as their core competitiveness, rely on corrosion-resistant and temperature-resistant high-quality materials, high-specification exclusive motors, strict quality control, flexible customization and perfect after-sales service to provide stable, efficient and reliable guarantee for the transportation of various complex fluids.

KOLEBURG 20 years of service experience is recommended for you

Types suitable for Pulp System plants

See more application scenarios

Centrifugal Pump
High operational efficiency, stable flow output, suitable for transporting low-consistency pulp and white water in papermaking processes
KOLEBURG BH500L Horizontal Centrifugal Pump SeriesProduct
Dry-type Sewage Centrifugal Pump
Equipped with dry-running protection, strong anti-clogging ability, suitable for discharging fibrous wastewater from pulp washing processes
KOLEBURG TA150SL Submersible Pump Series Product
Double Spiral Centrifugal Pump
Excellent anti-fiber-winding and anti-clogging performance, ideal for high-consistency pulp transportation
KOLEBURG BH400SL Horizontal Centrifugal Pump Series Product
Wood Chip Pump
Excellent anti-clogging performance for wood chip transportation, strong conveying capacity, suitable for wood chip feeding systems in pulp mills
Pipeline Pump

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echnical Highlights of KOLEBURG Pumps

Clogging Prevention & Reliability

Technical highlight of KOLEBURG: Unique pump impeller design

Unique Rotating Centrifugal Impeller

A large channel diameter will prevent it from becoming blocked.

Spiral centrifugal pumps have excellent anti-clogging properties. Their open, large-diameter channels provide high efficiency and anti-clogging properties, making it easy to transport bulk solids and long-fiber materials.

The spiral section produces a spiral propulsion effect, and the blade edge of the impeller is sickle-shaped. The replenishment of the blades gradually increases along the wheel direction, guiding the liquid flow and pipe objects to move near the axis. Additionally, the spiral action propels them along the collection into the centrifugal section while providing superior suction capabilities and reduced cavitation.

Impeller flow diagram
Impeller flow diagram
3D internal structure diagram of centrifugal pump with spiral impeller
3D cross-sectional view
Pumping of Media with High Solid Content

Solid content pumping diagram

Capable of conveying high solid content media, such as slurries with a solid content of up to 20%.

The CapacityofDifferentTypes of Pumps to Convey Dry Solid Content
Commonly used materials for Pulp pumps

Material selection

KOLEBURG can meet the customization needs of various materials.

Unique Rotating Centrifugal Impeller
Pump Component
Recommended Materials
Advantages for Pulp & Paper Scenarios
304/316L resists corrosion from black/white liquor; QT ensures structural strength for continuous operation
High-chromium Alloy, Duplex 2205, 316L Stainless Steel
High-chromium alloy enhances wear resistance against fiber abrasion; Duplex 2205 for strong corrosive media
42CrMo Alloy Steel, 316L Stainless Steel
42CrMo provides high strength to withstand fiber impact; 316L prevents corrosion from chemical liquors
SiC-SiC, PTFE-coated Seal Ring
Excellent sealing performance, resistant to fiber entanglement and chemical corrosion, ensuring zero leakage
FKM, EPDM
FKM resists high temperature and chemical corrosion; EPDM adapts to alkaline liquor environments
pump bearings
Total selection interval chart

Comprehensive reference

Provide you with a multi-caliber selection range reference

Total selection interval chart
Total selection interval chart​
Our services

Focus on user needs

KOLEBURG is committed to creating full life cycle and full ecological services.

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KOLEBURG is the expert in helping you solve clogged pump problems

FAQ about Pulp pumps KOLEBURG recommends Pulp pumps for you

Key Criteria for Selecting Pumps in Pulp & Paper Industry?

Key Criteria for Selecting Pumps in Pulp & Paper Industry

The pulp & paper industry features harsh operating conditions such as high-fiber media, corrosive liquors , and continuous 24/7 operation requirements. Selecting suitable pumps must comprehensively consider three core dimensions: medium adaptability, operational reliability, and energy efficiency. Medium adaptability focuses on anti-clogging and anti-abrasion performance to cope with high-fiber and high-solid-content media; operational reliability requires pumps to maintain stable operation under long-term continuous working conditions, with low failure rates; energy efficiency needs to meet the industry’s low-carbon development requirements, as pump energy consumption accounts for approximately 15% of the total energy consumption of pulp & paper processes.
Key technical indicators for pump selection include flow rate stability, head adaptability, material corrosion resistance, and mechanical seal tightness. Pumps that comply with API 610 standard and ANSI B73.1 standard are preferred, as these standards ensure the pump’s structural design, material quality, and performance parameters meet the rigorous requirements of the pulp & paper industry.

How to Match Pump Operating Conditions with Pulp Mill Requirements?

Accurate matching of pump operating conditions with pulp mill process requirements is the premise of ensuring stable production. The following table lists the key operating condition parameters that need to be clarified for pump selection in the pulp & paper industry:
Operating Condition Category
Key Parameters to Confirm
Impact on Pump Selection
Medium Characteristics
Medium type (pulp, black liquor, white liquor, wood chips), fiber content, solid content (%)
Determines pump anti-clogging performance and material corrosion resistance
Solid Particle Parameters
Maximum particle size (mm), particle hardness
Affects impeller structure design and wear-resistant material selection
Thermal & Corrosive Properties
Operating temperature (℃), pH value, corrosive intensity
Decides the material grade of pump components (e.g., stainless steel, alloy)
Operational Mode
Continuous operation (24h/365) or intermittent operation, annual operating hours
Influences pump structural strength and fatigue resistance design
Installation Requirements
Dry-type/Submersible/Vertical/Horizontal/Belt-driven installation
Determines pump type and structural layout

What Are the Common Pump Types in Pulp & Paper Industry?

What Are the Common Pump Types in Pulp & Paper Industry

Different process links in the pulp & paper industry have distinct requirements for pumps. The following are the most widely used pump types and their core advantages, which are also the high-frequency search keywords in Google:
Pump Type
Core Advantages
Applicable Process Links
High operational efficiency (up to 85-90%), stable flow output, low maintenance cost
Low-consistency pulp transportation, white water circulation
Excellent anti-fiber-winding performance, strong anti-clogging ability, stable operation under high consistency
High-consistency pulp (15-30%) transportation, pulp washing process
Dry-type Sewage Centrifugal Pump
Equipped with dry-running protection function, strong corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh working conditions
Fibrous wastewater discharge, pulp mill sewage treatment
Compact structure, small floor space, direct pipeline installation, low energy consumption
Black liquor/white liquor circulation, cooling water system

What is a Wood Chip Pump?

Wood chip pump is a specialized pump type developed for the wood chip feeding process in the pulp & paper industry, which is a high-search-volume keyword in Google. It is mainly used to transport wood chip-solid-liquid mixtures, and its core design concept focuses on solving the problems of wood chip accumulation and pipeline blockage during transportation.
The working principle of wood chip pump is based on the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the impeller. The optimized open impeller structure with large flow channels can effectively avoid fiber winding and wood chip blocking. At the same time, the pump body is designed with a large inlet and outlet diameter to ensure the smooth passage of large-size wood chips. The key performance indicators of wood chip pumps include: maximum wood chip particle size (up to 50mm), solid content adaptability (up to 25%), and head range (10-50m).
Compared with other common pumps in the pulp industry, wood chip pumps have the following unique advantages:
  • Superior anti-clogging performance: The large-channel impeller and streamlined pump cavity design minimize the risk of wood chip accumulation.
  • Strong transportation capacity: It can stably transport wood chip mixtures with high solid content, meeting the continuous feeding requirements of pulp mills.
  • Good wear resistance: Key components are made of high-strength wear-resistant materials, which can withstand the abrasion of wood chips.
  • Easy maintenance: The split-type pump body design allows for quick disassembly and maintenance, reducing downtime.

Material Selection for Pulp & Paper Industry Pumps

Material Selection for Pulp & Paper Industry Pumps

The material selection of pump components directly affects the service life and operational reliability of pumps in the pulp & paper industry. The harsh working environment (corrosive liquors, fibrous abrasion) requires pump materials to have excellent corrosion resistance and wear resistance. The following table lists the recommended materials for key pump components:
Pump Component
Recommended Materials
Applicable Scenarios
304/316L Stainless Steel, QT500-7, HT200
304/316L for corrosive media (black liquor); QT500-7 for wood chip pumps; HT200 for general pulp transportation
High-chromium Alloy, Duplex 2205, 316L Stainless Steel
High-chromium alloy for wood chip pumps; Duplex 2205 for strong corrosive media; 316L for general pulp
42CrMo Alloy Steel, 316L Stainless Steel
42CrMo for high-strength requirements; 316L for corrosive environments
SiC-SiC, PTFE-coated Seal Ring
SiC-SiC for high temperature and abrasion; PTFE-coated for corrosive liquors
FKM, EPDM
FKM for high temperature and oil resistance; EPDM for alkaline media (white liquor)

Energy Efficiency and Operational Reliability of Pulp & Paper Industry Pumps

Energy consumption is a key concern in the pulp & paper industry. Pumps, as the main energy-consuming equipment, their energy efficiency directly affects the production cost of pulp mills. According to industry data, the energy consumption of pulp & paper industry pumps accounts for 15-20% of the total energy consumption of the entire production process. Improving pump energy efficiency can effectively reduce production costs and meet the requirements of green and low-carbon development.
The main measures to improve pump energy efficiency include: selecting high-efficiency pump models (such as IE3/IE4 high-efficiency motors), optimizing pump operating parameters (matching actual flow and head requirements), and regular maintenance to ensure pump operating efficiency. The following table shows the energy efficiency comparison between high-efficiency pumps and ordinary pumps in the pulp & paper industry:
Pump Type
Energy Efficiency Rate (%)
Annual Energy Savings (kWh/unit)
High-efficiency Centrifugal Pump
85-90
12,000-15,000
Ordinary Centrifugal Pump
70-75
0 (Reference Benchmark)
Operational reliability is another key indicator of pulp & paper industry pumps. The continuous 24/7 production mode of pulp mills requires pumps to have a low failure rate. The main factors affecting pump reliability include material selection, structural design, and maintenance level. Pumps that comply with API 610 standard have a failure rate 30-40% lower than ordinary pumps, and their average service life can reach 5-8 years.

Application Case of Pumps in Pulp & Paper Industry

Application Case of Pumps in Pulp & Paper Industry

This case involves a large-scale pulp mill with an annual output of 1.2 million tons of chemical pulp. The mill’s production process includes wood chip feeding, pulp cooking, pulp washing, and wastewater treatment. The key challenge is to ensure the stable transportation of wood chips and corrosive liquors, and meet the requirements of low energy consumption and high reliability.

Project Background and Requirements

Process Link
Medium Characteristics
Operational Requirements
Wood Chip Feeding
Wood chip-solid-liquid mixture, solid content 20-25%, maximum particle size 40mm
Continuous operation, anti-clogging, head 35m, flow rate 180m³/h
Black Liquor Circulation
Black liquor, pH 11-13, temperature 80-90℃, corrosive
High corrosion resistance, flow rate 250m³/h, head 45m
Pulp Washing
High-consistency pulp (25-30%), fibrous, solid content 25%
Anti-fiber-winding, stable flow, head 30m
Wastewater Treatment
Fibrous wastewater, pH 6-8, solid content 5-8%
Dry-running protection, anti-clogging, flow rate 300m³/h

Pump Selection and Configuration Scheme

Process Link
Selected Pump Type
Material Configuration
Wood Chip Feeding
Pump body: QT500-7; Impeller: High-chromium Alloy; Pump shaft: 42CrMo
Black Liquor Circulation
Pump body: 316L Stainless Steel; Impeller: Duplex 2205; Mechanical seal: SiC-SiC
Pulp Washing
Pump body: 304 Stainless Steel; Impeller: 316L Stainless Steel
Wastewater Treatment
Dry-type Sewage Centrifugal Pump
Pump body: HT200; Impeller: High-chromium Alloy; O-ring: EPDM

Project Operation Effect

Evaluation Index
Design Target
Actual Operation Result
Pump Operational Rate
≥99%
99.6%
Average Energy Consumption
≤0.8 kWh/m³
0.65 kWh/m³
Failure Rate
≤2 times/year
1 time/year
Service Life
≥5 years
Estimated 6.5 years (based on 2-year operation data)

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