A sludge pump is a type of centrifugal pump, lobe pump or peristaltic hose pump in physics principle that increases the pressure of liquid and solid particle mixture (aka slurry or sludge), through centrifugal force and converts electrical energy into slurry potential and kinetic energy.

sludge pump machines are widely used to transport corrosive/abrasive and high concentration slurry in many industries such as Gold, Silver, Iron ore, Tin, Steel, Coal, Titanium, Copper, Mineral sands, Lead and Zinc. Various other industries include Molybdenum, Electric Utilities, Oil Shale, Water & Sewage Utilities, Building areas, Sand & Gravel, Tobacco and Agriculture (hog, poultry, dairy manure).

They are very similar to slurry pumps, mud pumps, and other types of waste water pumps. A Sludge pump requires a high-powered mechanism to move fluids that are often very heavy and sometimes viscous and full of volatile or corrosive content. They are commonly used in municipal sewage treatment applications, as well as in mining, construction, agriculture, or industrial applications in which heavy waste fluids are processed.