Production of ceramic components for centrifugal pumps

• Grant number: 22/16251-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: André Almeida Silva
• Grantee: André Almeida Silva
• Company: Andre Almeida Silva
• CNAE: Fabricação de produtos cerâmicos não-refratários não especificados anteriormente
• City: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Luis Antonio Genova
• Associated research grant: 20/00868-4 - Production of ceramic components for centrifugal pumps, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/11061-2 - Production of ceramic components for centrifugal pumps, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Centrifugal pumps account for more than half of all pumps used worldwide, being applied in the most diverse areas such as mining, oil and gas, sanitation, industry in general, medicine and agriculture. Continuing with Phase 1, components will be developed and manufactured of centrifugal pumps (impellers, casings, covers, impeller lock nuts and axis), in different ceramic materials, which will be tested in industrial plants, in pumping abrasive, corrosive and high temperature fluids, operation sin which the pumps available on the market (components in metallic alloys or engineering plastics) do not perform satisfactorily. The potential of using ceramic pumps1It is very large and can operate in all the aforementioned areas, as they are resistant to wear, chemical attack and can operate at elevated temperatures. These ceramic components, whose geometries can be of high complexity, they should be made by isostatic pressing, bonding of slip and/or gel casting, followed by green machining steps, after sintering partial, or even after final sintering, in the case of less invasive operations, such as grinding and polishing surfaces. Components based on alumina, zirconia, and silicon carbide, according to the specificities of each application (resistance of mechanical strength, fracture toughness, elevated temperatures, abrasion/erosion resistance, resistance to acids, alkalis, etc.). The project should be carried out in close partnership with companies already established in the market as manufacturers of pumps for the segments specific, which will contribute to the issue of pump design (dimension and geometry components), as well as in the testing phase with potential customers. The technological advances obtained in the first phase of PIPE, related to the manufacture of components, assembly and testing of prototype pumps, combined with greater knowledge of the potential market, provided by our participation in the Fapesp's PIPE Entrepreneur Program, resulted in a proposal for PIPE Phase 2 more consolidated and focused on the development of components for pumps of different potencies, directed to specific sectors, such as soda/chlorine, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals, in order to meet the needs and expectations of same. In addition to pumps of great power and dimensions, a very interesting in which we are starting a partnership, is in the construction of components for centrifugal blood pumps (impellers, bearings, etc.), which will be tested by groups involved in their development. It should also be noted that, based on market research and the various interviews we conducted with industry professionals, in particular with manufacturers of pumps, opportunities arose for the development and production of other ceramic components, such as components for metering and piston pumps and special valves. (AU)