In the mining industry’s drive to conserve power, a focus on pumps is important, particularly given the sheer scale of pumping equipment required on the common mine and mineral processing plant.
On this rating, international minerals course of specialist FLSmidth has allowed mines to achieve new ranges of effectivity with the initially patented wear ring know-how on its KREBS pumps, in accordance with Stephan Kruger, FLSmidth’s Vice President Pumps, Cyclones and Valves for Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and South Asia. Mines have seen significant effectivity features through the use of KREBS pumps, explains Kruger, resulting in considerable bottom line impacts when multiplied by the dozens or even lots of of pumps typically employed on a single mine site.
“It just isn’t solely the rising cost of electricity that drives mines’ power strategies, but also their commitment to a low carbon future,” he says. “FLSmidth’s KREBS pumps directly help these efforts by our mining customers, thanks in nice part to our progressive wear ring technology.”
He highlights that two key features that cut back effectivity in slurry pumps are typically suction side recirculation and mechanical grinding between the casing and the impeller. The put on ring significantly reduces both of those factors, resulting in decrease power draw and longer pump life.
“Through our case research, we have seen power draw being reduce by 5 to 10% for a similar circulate and head with the appliance of KREBS pumps,” he factors out. “Similarly, we have measured the impression on pump life, and have proven that the lifetime of moist end components can be lengthened by one and a half to 2 occasions.”
According to Derek Lane, General Manager Operations, standard merchandise available within the market remedy only considered one of these factors via impeller and liner adjustment which may scale back recirculation but simultaneously exacerbates the grinding. “This leaves the pump person having to compromise on efficiency, which we do not expect our clients to do,” Lane explains.
He says adjusting the damage ring allows the speed of the pump to be maintained as a relentless, somewhat than customers having to speed up the pump in response to the impact of grinding and put on. The put on ring in KREBS pumps could be easily adjusted in order that it continues drawing the same energy for the required pressure, holding power consumption to a minimum.
The regular adjustment of KREBS pumps may additionally be carried out with out shutting down the pump and disrupting operations, says Morne Potgieter, FLSmidth Sales Manager Pumps, Cyclones and Valves for Central and Southern Africa. This is essential as it contributes to the general continuity – and hence effectivity – of the whole operation.
“The wear ring could be simply adjusted by hand whereas the pump is running, and with out the use of any special tools,” he notes. “This permits the gaps to be stored as small as possible to keep away from recirculation contained in the pump, whereas sustaining velocity and stress.”
FLSmidth makes the most of this technological innovation by way of its expert area service teams and training offerings, which ensure that prospects understand and apply the damage ring adjustment to best impact. Potgieter says the training leaves on-mine operators more comfy with the task of adjustment, even when lots of them could additionally be hesitant about engaged on rotating equipment.
“We additionally do intensive technical coaching with prospects on aspects corresponding to pump assemblies, and be positive that we are available once they need us,” he says.
The lifetime of KREBS pumps is further enhanced by the range of supplies of development available to suit the applying, says Kruger. “The selection of material is based on the application requirements and specifically minimising wear. There are a variety of factors considered which decide the material of construction such as pump dimension, impeller dimension and tip speed in addition to slurry hardness.”.
Materials used within the development of slurry pumps are categorised into two main sorts: metals and elastomers. For metal pumps high-chrome alloys, hypereutectic alloys, hypoeutectic alloys and stainless steels are generally used. pressure gauge ไท วัสดุ vary between pure rubber, polyurethane and synthetics similar to neoprene.
He emphasises that the application of those materials makes their own contribution to the mining sector’s sustainability agenda, by reducing the level of scrap produced due to gear alternative.
Share