In the mining industry’s drive to conserve power, a give attention to pumps is essential, especially given the sheer scale of pumping equipment required on the typical mine and mineral processing plant.
On this score, international minerals course of specialist FLSmidth has allowed mines to achieve new ranges of efficiency 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 vital efficiency gains by utilizing KREBS pumps, explains Kruger, resulting in considerable bottom line impacts when multiplied by the dozens or even lots of of pumps often employed on a single mine site.
“It is not solely the rising value of electrical energy that drives mines’ energy strategies, but in addition their dedication to a low carbon future,” he says. “FLSmidth’s KREBS pumps immediately support these efforts by our mining customers, thanks in great part to our innovative put on ring technology.”
He highlights that two key features that cut back efficiency in slurry pumps are typically suction aspect recirculation and mechanical grinding between the casing and the impeller. The put on ring significantly reduces each of these components, resulting in lower power draw and longer pump life.
“Through our case studies, we’ve seen energy draw being minimize by 5 to 10% for the same flow and head with the appliance of KREBS pumps,” he factors out. “Similarly, we’ve measured the impression on pump life, and have shown that the lifetime of wet end parts can be lengthened by one and a half to 2 occasions.”
According to Derek Lane, General Manager Operations, typical merchandise in the market remedy solely certainly one of these factors via impeller and liner adjustment which can cut back recirculation but concurrently exacerbates the grinding. “This leaves the pump consumer having to compromise on efficiency, which we do not expect our prospects to do,” Lane explains.
He says adjusting the wear ring allows the velocity of the pump to be maintained as a continuing, quite than customers having to speed up the pump in response to the impression of grinding and wear. The wear ring in KREBS pumps could be easily adjusted in order that it continues drawing the same power for the required stress, holding vitality consumption to a minimal.
The regular adjustment of KREBS pumps can be accomplished 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 because it contributes to the general continuity – and hence effectivity – of the entire operation.
“The wear ring may be merely adjusted by hand while the pump is running, and without the use of any particular instruments,” he notes. “ เกจวัดแรงดันเชื้อเพลิง allows the gaps to be saved as small as attainable to keep away from recirculation contained in the pump, whereas maintaining velocity and pressure.”
FLSmidth makes the most of this technological innovation via its expert field service groups and coaching choices, which make sure that customers understand and apply the wear ring adjustment to greatest effect. Potgieter says the coaching leaves on-mine operators more comfy with the task of adjustment, even when lots of them may be hesitant about working on rotating equipment.
“We also do intensive technical training with prospects on features corresponding to pump assemblies, and be sure that we are available when they need us,” he says.
The life of KREBS pumps is additional enhanced by the vary of materials of development out there to go well with the application, says Kruger. “The choice of material is based on the applying requirements and particularly minimising wear. There are a number of elements considered which determine the material of construction corresponding to pump size, impeller measurement and tip speed as properly as slurry hardness.”.
Materials used in the development of slurry pumps are categorised into two main types: metals and elastomers. For metallic pumps high-chrome alloys, hypereutectic alloys, hypoeutectic alloys and stainless steels are commonly used. Elastomers options range between natural rubber, polyurethane and synthetics such as neoprene.
He emphasises that the appliance of those materials makes their own contribution to the mining sector’s sustainability agenda, by decreasing the extent of scrap produced due to equipment substitute.
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