In the mining industry’s drive to preserve power, a focus on pumps is essential, especially given the sheer scale of pumping gear required on the typical mine and mineral processing plant.
On this score, global minerals process specialist FLSmidth has allowed mines to achieve new levels of effectivity with the initially patented wear ring expertise on its KREBS pumps, based on Stephan Kruger, FLSmidth’s Vice President Pumps, Cyclones and Valves for Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and South Asia. Mines have seen significant effectivity gains by using KREBS pumps, explains Kruger, resulting in appreciable bottom line impacts when multiplied by the dozens or even hundreds of pumps often employed on a single mine web site.
“It isn’t solely the rising cost of electricity that drives mines’ energy strategies, but also their commitment to a low carbon future,” he says. “FLSmidth’s KREBS pumps immediately support these efforts by our mining clients, thanks in nice half to our progressive put on ring technology.”
He highlights that two key elements that cut back efficiency in slurry pumps are usually suction aspect recirculation and mechanical grinding between the casing and the impeller. The wear ring significantly reduces each of those elements, leading to lower power draw and longer pump life.
“Through our case research, we now have seen power draw being reduce by 5 to 10% for a similar circulate and head with the appliance of KREBS pumps,” he points out. “Similarly, we’ve measured the impact on pump life, and have proven that the lifetime of wet finish elements may be lengthened by one and a half to two instances.”
According to Derek Lane, General Manager Operations, conventional products in the market remedy solely considered one of these components through impeller and liner adjustment which can reduce recirculation but concurrently exacerbates the grinding. “This leaves the pump consumer having to compromise on efficiency, which we do not expect our clients to do,” Lane explains.
He says adjusting the damage ring allows the pace of the pump to be maintained as a relentless, quite than users having to hurry up the pump in response to the impression of grinding and put on. The wear ring in KREBS pumps could be simply adjusted in order that it continues drawing the same power for the required pressure, holding energy consumption to a minimal.
The common adjustment of KREBS pumps can additionally be done without shutting down the pump and disrupting operations, says Morne Potgieter, FLSmidth Sales Manager Pumps, Cyclones and Valves for Central and Southern Africa. This is important as it contributes to the general continuity – and hence effectivity – of the entire operation.
“The wear ring can be merely adjusted by hand while the pump is running, and with out the usage of any special instruments,” he notes. “This permits the gaps to be kept as small as possible to keep away from recirculation contained in the pump, while maintaining pace and strain.”
FLSmidth makes probably the most of this technological innovation via its expert area service groups and coaching offerings, which ensure that customers understand and apply the damage ring adjustment to greatest impact. Potgieter says the training leaves on-mine operators more comfortable with the duty of adjustment, even if lots of them could also be hesitant about working on rotating equipment.
“We also do in depth technical training with clients on aspects similar to pump assemblies, and be sure that we are available when they want us,” he says.
The lifetime of KREBS pumps is further enhanced by the vary of supplies of building obtainable to suit the appliance, says Kruger. “The selection of material is predicated on the application necessities and specifically minimising put on. There are a quantity of components thought of which determine the fabric of development similar to pump dimension, impeller dimension and tip velocity in addition to slurry hardness.”.
Materials used in the building of slurry pumps are categorised into two main types: metals and elastomers. For เกจอาร์กอน -chrome alloys, hypereutectic alloys, hypoeutectic alloys and stainless steels are commonly used. Elastomers choices vary between natural rubber, polyurethane and synthetics similar to neoprene.
He emphasises that the appliance of those supplies makes their own contribution to the mining sector’s sustainability agenda, by reducing the level of scrap produced as a result of gear alternative.
Share