Multi-stage vertical turbine pump with comminution

摘要

An apparatus for reducing between-stage entanglement of fibrous materials around a rotating impeller drive shaft in a multi-stage vertical turbine pump includes a fluted sleeve on the rotating impeller drive shaft and a notched cutter ring fixed to a stationary inner wall of a lower pump stage for engaging with the fluted sleeve to comminute fibrous materials by shearing action between the notches and the flutes. If necessary, a discharge transition piece may be used to adapt the upper end of an upstream pump stage bowl to the lower end of a downstream bowl.