WATER MANAGEMENT
technology to solve solutions to specifi c problems. T is is because peristaltic pumps can help mine operators face up to key challenges, which include: reducing downtime and operating costs; managing and reducing water inventories; reducing chemical usage; and lowering maintenance costs.
A good example can be seen at
Jaguar Mining, which operates four gold mines in Brazil. T e company fi rst adopted Bredel pumps at its Turmalina mine when it was faced with pumping paste backfi ll comprising 4% cement and 69% solids. No centrifugal pump could handle the task. To overcome the challenge
presented by paste backfi ll, the mine operator installed a Bredel 2100 duplex pump on a trial basis and the results were so impressive that it subsequently purchased the pump, which is now transferring the mix at a rate of 50m³/hr over a distance of 420m. Today, the Turmalina site has no less than fi ve Bredel 2100 duplex
pumps for backfi ll operations; six Bredel 2100mm duplex and two 100mm simplex models for fl oatation processes; eight 50mm, two 65mm and two 2100 pumps for leaching processes; two 2100 models for reject pumping; and ten 65mm models for working with reagents. T e story of success is similar at a large mine in New Brunswick, Canada, which has replaced centrifugal slurry pumps with Bredel hose pumps. Here, the 65% solids of the zinc and lead thickener underfl ow slurries was too high to allow the centrifugal pumps to deliver the desired fl ow rate, while abrasive wear was causing an unacceptable frequency of costly repair. Because the abrasives in the slurry do not aff ect Bredel pump life the mine is now able to minimise downtime and achieve reliability at the desired fl ow rate.
Keep chemical use in check Another potential area of saving is by accurate chemical metering. T e range of chemicals used in mining processes
is vast and includes copper sulphate, xanthate, SIBX/MIBX, GUAR, cyanide, sulphuric acid, lime, fl occulants, zinc sulphate, aerophine, sodium silicate, BIOX, surfactants and sulphides to name but a few. However, by using microprocessor- controlled brushless DC drive technology, Bredel pumps will properly maintain the fl otation rates of ore extracts to ensure economical use of expensive chemicals and create signifi cant process effi ciencies. Moving ores, concentrates and
residues in a slurry form is such an essential part of industrial mining processes. In an eff ort to reduce water, energy and chemical consumption, and improve slurry transportation reliability, more and more mining operators are discovering the simplicity and benefi ts of peristaltic hose pumps. With thousands of Bredel pumps already at work around the world, there is little doubt that hose pumps are the future.
Rens Zwart is with Watson Marlow Fluid Technology Group.
www.wmftg.com
Peristaltic pumps can help mine operators use less water and lower their maintenance costs
www.engineerlive.com 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52