TUSSU®Hydraulic submersible slurry pumps Application

TUSSU®Hydraulic submersible slurry pumps are the “heavy lifters” of the industrial world. Unlike electric pumps, they don’t fear moisture or explosive environments, and they pack a massive power-to-weight ratio that makes them indispensable for moving thick, abrasive “gunk.”

Here are several real-world use cases across different industries, showcasing why these machines are chosen for the toughest project.

1. Mining: Tailings Pond Reclamation

In large-scale mining operations (such as copper or gold mines in Chile or Australia), “tailings” (waste byproduct) are stored in massive ponds. Over time, these solids settle and need to be moved for reprocessing or dam maintenance.

The Challenge: The slurry is extremely abrasive and has a high percentage of solids (up to 70% by weight), which would burn out a standard electric motor.
The Solution: A hydraulic submersible pump mounted on an excavator arm or a remote-controlled barge.
Key Advantage: The hydraulic drive allows for variable speed control, meaning the operator can slow the pump down when the slurry is too thick to prevent clogging or speed it up when the material is thinner.

2. Offshore Oil & Gas: Drill Cuttings Removal

During offshore drilling, “cuttings” (broken rock fragments) mixed with drilling mud need to be transported from the seabed or the rig floor.

The Challenge: Space is limited, and the environment is highly corrosive and potentially explosive.
The Solution: Compact hydraulic slurry pumps are used to transfer these cuttings into skip bins or back down to the seabed.
Key Advantage: Since there are no electrical components submerged, there is zero risk of sparks or short circuits in a gas-rich environment.

3. Civil Construction: Slurry Shield Tunneling (TBM)

When building subways or underwater tunnels, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) use a “slurry shield” to balance the pressure at the tunnel face.

The Challenge: The “muck” created by the TBM consists of rocks, clay, and water that must be pumped hundreds of meters to the surface.
The Solution: Heavy-duty hydraulic pumps act as “booster stations” along the discharge line.
Key Advantage: These pumps can handle large spherical solids (sometimes up to 100mm in diameter) without damaging the internal impeller, thanks to high-chrome wear parts.

4. Municipal & Environmental: Harbor Desilting

Harbors and marinas naturally collect silt, which reduces water depth for ships.

The Challenge: Dredging needs to be done without disturbing the surrounding environment too much, often in tight spaces under piers where large dredgers can’t reach.
The Solution: A hydraulic submersible slurry pump equipped with side-cutters or an agitator.
Key Advantage: The agitator stirs up the settled mud into a pumpable fluid, allowing the pump to vacuum the floor of the harbor efficiently.

Summary Table: Why Hydraulic?

Feature	Electric Submersible	Hydraulic Submersible
Safety	Risk of shock/explosion	Inherently safe (no electricity)
Power Density	Heavy/Bulky for high torque	Light/Compact for high torque
Speed Control	Requires expensive VFDs	Easily adjusted via oil flow
Stall Protection	Can burn out motor	Motor simply stops (relief valve opens)

Quick Tip: If you are planning to use one of these for a project, always check the Max Solid Size rating. Pumping a 50mm rock through a pump rated for 30mm is a very quick way to turn an expensive machine into a very heavy paperweight!