How to Calculate the Density of Slurries: Formula and Examples
Calculate density of a slurry.
Slurry is a mixture of a solid and a liquid. The density of a slurry can be calculated as
ρm = 100 / (cw / ρs + (100 - cw) / ρl) (1)
where
ρm = density of slurry (lb/ft3, kg/m3)
cw = concentration of solids by weight in the slurry (%)
ρs = density of the solids (lb/ft3, kg/m3)
ρl = density of liquid without solids (lb/ft3, kg/m3)
Slurry concentration by weight can be measured by evaporating a known weight of slurry - and measure the weight of dried solids.
Example - Calculating Slurry Density
The density of a slurry where
- the density of the solids is 2500 kg/m3
- the density of the liquid is 1000 kg/m3
- the weight concentration of solids is 30%
can be calculated as
ρm = 100 / ((30 %) / (2500 kg/m3) + ((100 %) - (30 %)) / (1000 kg/m3))
= 1220 kg/m3
Slurry Density and Specific Weight Calculator
The density of a slurry can be calculated with the calculator below. Specific Gravity (SG) is calculated with density of water 1000 kg/m3 or 62.4 lb/ft3.
Water Slurries - Typical Specific Gravity and Slurry Solids Concentration
| Product | SG | Stypical Solids Concentration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % weight | % volume | ||
| Coal | 1.40 | 45 - 55 | 37 - 47 |
| Copper concentrate | 4.30 | 60 - 65 | 26 - 30 |
| Gilsonite (asphalt, bitumen) | 1.05 | 40 - 45 | 39 - 44 |
| Iron ore | 4.90 | ||
| Iron sands | 1.90 | ||
| Limestone | 2.70 | 60 - 65 | 36 - 41 |
| Magnetite | 4.90 | 60 - 65 | 23 - 27 |
| Sand | 2.65 | 43 | 23 - 30 |
Specific Gravity of Water based Slurries
Specific gravity of water based slurries vs. specific gravity of the solid and consentration of the solid in the slurry:
