A centrifugal pump for abrasive fluid. The pump may include a bearing
housing mounted to a tank containing an abrasive fluid. The bearing
housing may house wear-susceptible components in a manner distancing and
isolating the components from the fluid. A shaft may be coupled to the
bearing housing and disposed through the tank to an impeller for
dispensing the abrasive fluid beyond the centrifugal pump. Additionally
the impeller itself may be housed within an impeller housing that is
mechanically coupled to the bearing housing in order to enhance
dimensional stability therebetween. Such a centrifugal pump may be
coupled to other pumps such as higher pressure positive displacement
pumps. In these circumstances the centrifugal pump may be used to
facilitate the mixing of the abrasive fluid and provide a degree of
pressurization thereto in advance of the fluid's use at an operation
site. For example, where the fluid is a cement slurry, a triplex pump may
be coupled to such a centrifugal pump for use in a cementing application
at an oilfield.