Companies Gearing Up
AUSTRALIAN Pump’s partnership with Tsurumi allows the company to augment its Mine Boss pump range with submersible pumps that handle corrosive mine liquids.
Tsurumi claims to be a major player on the US and Canadian markets with a dominant position in copper, gold, lead and zinc mines.
Australia’s rapid expansion in copper production, not just at Carrapateena but also in other existing key locations, means demand for 316 stainless-steel submersible pumps is increasing.
Tsurumi, which claims to be the world’s biggest manufacturer of electro-submersible pumps for dewatering applications, produces more than 1.4m pumps per year.
Of those, an increasingly large quantity are made from titanium (TM series) or stainless steel (SFQ series).
Tsurumi SFQ series pumps are used in copper mines around Australia and the titanium pumps are used in chemical treatments processes that require absolute resistance to corrosion.
The rise of the titanium pumps
Tsurumi’s TM series has been a huge success since launched by Australian Pump Industries.
Available in both single and three-phase, the pumps were originally designed for chemical plants or liquid food waste where cast iron pumps or low-grade stainless-steel pumps fail to go the distance.
TMs are available in both manual and automatic options.
The titanium stator housing and FRP resin wetted parts mean the pumps are not only corrosion-resistant but lightweight and easy to handle.
The maximum power rating is 3.7kW. Even the heaviest in the series, the model 80TM23.7, weighs only 26kg.
The pumps are relatively inexpensive, free standing and available with 2in or 3in discharge ports.
The vortex impeller delivers maximum flows up to 900lpm and maximum heads to 26m.
Like all Tsurumi pumps, they feature a dual silicon carbide mechanical seal and Tsurumi’s unique and patented “oil lifter”.
This feature ensures the mechanical seals are constantly lubricated for cooling and longevity.
Series 316 stainless steel pump range
Tsurumi’s SFQ series 316 stainless steel pumps have been readily accepted in gold and copper mines where cast iron pumps simply don’t last.
Aussie Pumps chief engineer John Hales said the company had heard reports of cast iron submersible pumps failing in only a matter of days, not even weeks.
The SFQ series 316 SS pumps offers flows of up to 2000lpm and heads to 45m.
With a power range of up to 11kW, Tsurumi’s corrosion-resistant, heavy-duty pumps feature two pole motors with high grade bearings.
An especially high-carbon grade of 316 SS is used which allows the pump to be fully cast with no welds to corrode.
High heads, big flows
Tsurumi’s LH series, high head pumps are popular across Australia.
The unique design with its centre-mounted outlet makes it convenient to install.
The slim line of the product provides the ability to fit in 24in diameter bores. That’s even true of the 110kW version. Smaller pumps in the range can be used in bores of only 8in diameter.
The pumps are fitted with abrasion-resistant, high chrome, closed impellers, providing heads of up to 200m and flows as high as 6500lpm.
Many of this range are now available in 316 SS all the way up to the big 8in model LH8110.
That 110kw pump has an astonishing performance of 3000lpm at over 100m head.
The big news is that these pumps are now available in cast 316 SS.
That’s been a huge hit in the US mining market.
Many mining companies in Australia are already eyeing this product and waiting for it to be readily available.
Pumps will be wound in 415 volt and 1000-volt configurations, as well as optional 690V versions.
Stainless surface pumps
Aussie Pumps’ commitment to solving the corrosive liquid problems on mine sites is ongoing.
That extends to the understanding of the need for self-priming centrifugal pumps that are surface mounted.
Recently the company announced that its
Aussie GMP range is now available in 316 SS configurations.
That allows flows from a self-priming 4in pump to reach as high as 2000 lpm and produce heads of 31m.
Mr Hales said that the higher performance pumps are also available with the G3TMK series of 3in pumps providing heads of up to 54m.
“The good news about this product is that it is available in 316 cast stainless steel either as an electric motor close-couple drive motor pump configuration, or as a bare shaft or even hydraulic drive version,” he said.
“Working with mines directly has given us opportunities to learn how to adapt our product line to suit the growing requirement for pumps capable of handling corrosive liquids with ease.”
The company is eyeing off the huge expansion of copper mining in South Australia, where Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Kamantoo are all set to become major producers as the world’s demand for copper grows.
“Future demands for the electrification of motor vehicles, ships and machinery will drive copper production for the next 25 years,” Mr Hales said.
“Third world countries are set to stimulate further growth as demand for power increases.”
For more information of the complete Aussie corrosive liquid mining package, contact Australian Pump Industries on 02 8865 3500.
A free copy of its mining capability document is readily available and online, entitled “Mining and Quarry Solutions”.