Test rig setup for particle wear analysis in screw pumps

Abstract For many applications multi-screw pumps can be operated with minimal wear rates, thus offering long service life. Pump manufacturers are however met with increasing demand for pumps in applications with particle-laden fluids, which often lead to high wear rates. Thus, the need for design guidelines and models for the estimation of the life expectancy arises. The scientific literature does not offer such models or published systematic studies. In this work the authors present a test rig setup for the systematic analysis of wear in operation with particle-laden fluids in multi-screw pumps. The setup is designed with repeatability of the test environment and reliability aspects in mind and draws inspiration from food and chemical processing industries.