Abstract: A pumping system for sludge including hazardous waste material and other viscous material includes a vacuum pump for drawing sludge into and through an intake line to a separator where the heavier components of the sludge descend into a closed tank hopper. A positive displacement pump discharges the sludge from the closed tank hopper through a delivery line to a remote point of disposal or storage. A centrifugal pump attached to the sludge receiving end of the intake line and being hydraulically driven acts as a booster for the vacuum pump by pushing sludge into and through the intake line while helping to overcome the head pressure therein as well as friction in the intake line. The vacuum in the intake line created by the vacuum pump enables the submerged centrifugal pump to feed itself. The centrifugal pump also functions as a cutter head helping to liquefy heavy sludge.

Abstract: A high volume long distance pumping system for heavy sludges and contaminated flowables utilizes a blower powered air conveyance arrangement to draw solids and air from an available source and deliver the mixture through a hose to a separator from which extracted liquids and solids enter a closed tank hopper while air from the separator is filtered and exhausted through the blower to atmosphere. The liquid/solids mixture in the closed tank hopper is delivered by a piston pump in communication with the tank hopper through a discharge line to a point of consumption or storage.

Abstract: A pumping system for various flowables utilizes a dual alternating piston pump in communication with a tank hopper having flowable material inlet and delivery lines and an internal oscillating elbow conduit equipped with a pressurized wear plate which is moved cyclically into and out of registration with the cylinders of the dual alternating piston pump. A vacuum pipe rising from the tank hopper having a floating check valve and a suction shut off valve communicates with a vacuum pump external to the tank hopper through a filter. The evacuated tank hopper is enabled to fill itself immediately with flowable material and maintain a full condition while the dual alternating piston pump is pumping material through the delivery line with high efficiency. When vacuum to the tank hopper is shut off, the dual piston pump can be reversed to pump through the suction line while drawing in material through the delivery line.

Abstract: To prevent leakage of wet concrete passing from a reciprocating pump to a delivery conduit and to prevent clogging of the seal and valve means interposed between the pump outlets and the mouth of the delivery conduit, a floating sleeve is biased by pump system hydraulic pressure into solid engagement with the wear ring which in turn is held in firm sliding contact and sealed engagement with an opposing wear plate at the outlets of the pump structure. The floating sleeve is pressure sealed on opposite sides of a delivery port for pressurized hydraulic fluid to positively exclude concrete from fouling the operation of the sleeve. Concrete grout under pressure entering a void behind the sleeve applies additional pressure to the sleeve to bias the wear ring even in the event of hydraulic pressure loss. The grout within the void prevents the sleeve from ever backing away from the wear ring.