How to Calculate the Density of Slurries: Formula and Examples

Calculate the density of slurries using the standard formula. A slurry is a mixture of a solid and a liquid. Input the concentration of solids by weight, density of solids, and density of liquid to determine the slurry density.

Calculator

Inputs

Concentration of Solids by Weight (cw) (%)

Density of Solids (ρs) (kg/m³)

Density of Liquid (ρl) (kg/m³)

Results

Density of Slurry (ρm)-- kg/m³

Specific Gravity (SG)--

Formula

ρm = 100 / (cw / ρs + (100 - cw) / ρl)

Where:

ρm = density of slurry (kg/m³)
cw = concentration of solids by weight in the slurry (%)
ρs = density of the solids (kg/m³)
ρl = density of liquid without solids (kg/m³)

Example

For a slurry with:

Density of solids: 2500 kg/m³
Density of liquid: 1000 kg/m³
Weight concentration of solids: 30%

The slurry density = 100 / ((30) / (2500) + (70) / (1000)) = 1220 kg/m³

Product	SG	Typical Solids Concentration (% weight)	Typical Solids Concentration (% volume)
Coal	1.4	45 - 55	37 - 47
Copper concentrate	4.3	60 - 65	26 - 30
Gilsonite (asphalt, bitumen)	1.05	40 - 45	39 - 44
Iron ore	4.9	-	-
Iron sands	1.9	-	-
Limestone	2.7	60 - 65	36 - 41
Magnetite	4.9	60 - 65	23 - 27
Sand	2.65	43	23 - 30

How to Calculate the Density of Slurries: Formula and Examples | MEPKit Engineering Tools | MEPKit