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A slurry pump impeller is a rotating component of a centrifugal pump that accelerates fluid outward from the center of rotation, thus transferring energy from the motor that drives the pump to the fluid being pumped. The velocity achieved by the impeller transfers into pressure when the outward movement of the fluid is confined by the pump casing. A slurry pump impeller is a short cylinder with an open inlet (called an eye) to accept incoming fluid, vanes to push the fluid radially, and a splined, keyed, or threaded bore to accept a drive shaft.
An open impeller has a hub with attached vanes and is mounted on a shaft. The vanes do not have a wall, making open impellers slightly weaker than closed or semi-closed impellers. However, as the side plate is not fixed to the inlet side of the vane, the blade stresses are significantly lower. A close clearance between vanes and pump volute or back plate prevent most of fluid from flowing back. Wear on the bowl and edge of vane can be compensated by adjusting the clearance to maintain efficiency over time.
