water pumps and gunge

[naughtyjim]

Hi Guys,
Anyone got any experience on this one? I'm thinking of using a water pump in my new gunge tank, but I'm a bit worried about knackering it. Anybody got hints & tips?

Thanks

[MessySupplies]

Hi wetfetlover, I believe the chaps at http://www.MessyWorld.net are the best people to answer this....

[rubberjin]

I'd vote for "probably won't work", for a given value of "water pump" (there are many types).

The thickness (viscosity) will prevent most impeller-type water pumps (which most will be) from working & probably burn them out.

Lumps may be an issue depending on exact gunge substance, although "trash" pumps and washing machine/dishwasher waste pumps are designed to pass debris (they will fail on the thickness though).

I'd look at pumps designed to move thicker substances - either more sturdy/slower running impeller types, piston types, screw type, etc. as used in food production lines, factory/industrial processes, etc. as you can guarantee whatever the substance someone has invented a way to move it at some point - they pump concrete after all! You probably don't want to know the price of some of those, a scout round eBay might turn up used kit or you could cobble up a DIY solution.

Simple old-school stuff like archimedes screws or buckets on a chain are pretty idiot-proof and can be DIY'd.

Let us know what/if you do!

[rubberjin]

Here's an idea for "viscous fluids":
http://hackaday.com/2014/01/18/peristal ... both-ways/

[dunktankbabes]

We use water pumps to empty the dunk tank with gunge and haven't had any problems with a submersable pump from machine mart. We've also got a diaphragm pump for the clay which is a much heavier duty petrol powerd pump.

[dunktankbabes]

We use water pumps to empty the dunk tank with gunge and haven't had any problems with a submersable pump from machine mart. We've also got a diaphragm pump for the clay which is a much heavier duty petrol powerd pump.