In the mining industry’s drive to conserve power, a concentrate on pumps is essential, particularly given the sheer scale of pumping gear required on the typical mine and mineral processing plant.
On this rating, global minerals process specialist FLSmidth has allowed mines to achieve new levels of efficiency with the initially patented wear ring expertise on its KREBS pumps, according to Stephan Kruger, FLSmidth’s Vice President Pumps, Cyclones and Valves for Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and South Asia. ส่วนประกอบpressuregauge have seen vital efficiency gains by using KREBS pumps, explains Kruger, leading to appreciable backside line impacts when multiplied by the handfuls and even lots of of pumps usually employed on a single mine site.
“It isn’t solely the rising value of electrical energy that drives mines’ energy strategies, but also their commitment to a low carbon future,” he says. “FLSmidth’s KREBS pumps directly help these efforts by our mining clients, thanks in great part to our innovative wear ring expertise.”
He highlights that two key elements that reduce efficiency in slurry pumps are usually suction side recirculation and mechanical grinding between the casing and the impeller. The wear ring significantly reduces both of these elements, resulting in lower power draw and longer pump life.
“Through our case studies, we now have seen energy draw being cut by 5 to 10% for a similar flow and head with the applying of KREBS pumps,” he factors out. “Similarly, we have measured the influence on pump life, and have proven that the lifetime of wet end components may be lengthened by one and a half to two occasions.”
According to Derek Lane, General Manager Operations, standard products available in the market solve solely one of these elements by way of impeller and liner adjustment which may reduce recirculation however concurrently exacerbates the grinding. “This leaves the pump consumer having to compromise on efficiency, which we don’t anticipate our clients to do,” Lane explains.
He says adjusting the wear ring permits the speed of the pump to be maintained as a relentless, rather than users having to speed up the pump in response to the impact of grinding and wear. The put on ring in KREBS pumps can be simply adjusted so that it continues drawing the identical energy for the required pressure, holding power consumption to a minimum.
The common adjustment of KREBS pumps may also be done 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 necessary as it contributes to the overall continuity – and therefore effectivity – of the whole operation.
“The wear ring could be simply adjusted by hand while the pump is running, and with out the use of any particular instruments,” he notes. “This permits the gaps to be kept as small as potential to keep away from recirculation contained in the pump, whereas maintaining speed and pressure.”
FLSmidth makes the most of this technological innovation via its expert area service teams and training choices, which be sure that prospects understand and apply the damage ring adjustment to finest effect. Potgieter says the training leaves on-mine operators more comfortable with the task of adjustment, even when a lot of them may be hesitant about working on rotating equipment.
“We additionally do in depth technical training with customers on aspects corresponding to pump assemblies, and ensure that we are available once they want us,” he says.
The life of KREBS pumps is additional enhanced by the range of materials of construction obtainable to swimsuit the applying, says Kruger. “The alternative of material is predicated on the application necessities and specifically minimising wear. There are a selection of components thought-about which decide the fabric of development such as pump dimension, impeller size and tip velocity as properly as slurry hardness.”.
Materials used in the building of slurry pumps are categorized into two main sorts: metals and elastomers. For metal pumps high-chrome alloys, hypereutectic alloys, hypoeutectic alloys and stainless steels are generally used. Elastomers choices range between pure rubber, polyurethane and synthetics similar to neoprene.
He emphasises that the appliance of these materials makes their own contribution to the mining sector’s sustainability agenda, by lowering the level of scrap produced due to equipment substitute.
Share