PUMPS AND PIPELINES
Fuel is obviously a major cost , so there ’ s a real opportunity for contractors to significantly reduce the operating expenses by opting for electric units .”
While inherent challenges around the diesel-to-electric conversion remain – a lack of flexibility , power infrastructure , variable speed control issues , etc – Ross said the benefits were clear to see .
“ They ’ re cleaner and they ’ re significantly less expensive to operate and maintain ,” he said , referring to the increased operating life of electric motors fitted with the correct bearings and reduced service time .
Taking it to the limit
The last two years has seen Metso Outotec add two new mill discharge / cyclone feed products to its offering as it continues to move into higher volume applications .
The OEM ’ s large mill discharge offering started comparatively late – in 2015 – but it has been fast catching up with competitors .
As a result of this late start , many of the sustainability benefits companies are only just getting round to retrofitting on their pumps have been incorporated from the off .
Metso Outotec EnviroSet , for instance , has been in place on these pumps for seven years . It
Coming with an inlet size of 900 mm , Metso Outotec ’ s MDM900 is designed for flows up to 13,500 cu . m / h and heads up to 40 m
is a total sealing solution made up of high-quality packing and a unique throat bushing that is engineered to control the internal stuffing box environment and reduce gland water consumption , the company says .
“ On top of this , we have a ‘ clean-slate design ’ focused on environmental sustainability ,” the company said , mentioning the reduced footprint that comes with its “ Low-Rider ” focus on reduced material use , reduced weight on the power frame and – when combined – lower logistical costs .
At the same time , the modular design of Metso Outotec mill discharge pumps results in minimal component changes to up- or down-size the
pump depending on the required flow ; all while retaining the same frame .
Examples of other “ environmentally sustainable ” features on the company ’ s largest mill discharge pump , the MDM900 , include a reduced footprint and a standard low-flow shaft seal to minimise the pump ’ s freshwater requirement during operation .
Coming with an inlet size of 900 mm , the MDM900 is designed for flows up to 13,500 cu . m / h and heads up to 40 m . It bests the MDM800 the company released in 2021 , which had an 800 mm inlet size .
The MDM900 all-metal design pump is also fitted with a FR2100 frame and has an impeller diameter of 2,100 mm .
Diwakar Aduri , Product Manager for MD Pumps at Metso Outotec , recently told IM : “ That ’ s the size of pumps and throughput we ’ re talking about , but that ’ s not the limit . There is already talk about larger pumps as well .
“ As long as the mines grow and the feedback comes through regarding process and flowsheets changing , we ’ ll always keep our products in tune . The platform is flexible and modular .”
Like other companies in this field , Metso Outotec ’ s offering is being developed with the wider process plant in mind , with Aduri confirming that the 2020 merger with Outotec had resulted in the company focusing on full flowsheet benefits .