PUMPS AND PIPELINES
pump ’ s gas collection chamber . The inducer vanes apply a swirl effect to the feed , forcing the heavier slurry to the outer edge of the pump while the gas gathers in the middle , where it ’ s transferred to the collection chamber by holes in the impeller .
This technology is aimed at delivering flexibility to operate at far higher froth volume factors where standard froth pumps will generally stall , the company says .
On the digital side , Weir Minerals is also continuing to log Warman pump design data , maintenance histories and pump curves within its Synertrex ® digital platform .
Ole Knudsen , Weir Minerals Digital Director , said : “ We ’ ve recently announced partnerships with AVEVA , a global leader in industrial software , driving digital transformation and sustainability , and XMPro , a leading digital twin platform , that enhance our Synertrex digital ecosystem , where collaborative actions can be performed and events put into perspective . “ In the future , the connected mine will combine intelligent data from multiple equipment levels , ushering in a new era of equipment performance .”
Through an expanded partnership related to tailings processing with Andritz , Weir Minerals is also looking into integrating Andritz ’ s separation technology with its own minerals and tailings processing solutions for dry-stacking applications .
John McNulty , Weir Minerals Vice President Global Engineering and Technology , said : “ The partnership with Andritz allows Weir Minerals to draw on their extensive knowledge of tailings thickening and evaluate , develop and execute a bespoke tailings management solution .”
At the same time as the emphasis on potential dry stacking of tailings is gaining motion , so too is the use of diesel alternatives for powering pumps .
Ian Ross , Weir Minerals Global Product Manager , Dewatering Solutions , said the company is in a good position to help operators make the transition from diesel- to electric-powered pumps , especially on the dewatering side .
“ We already have the capabilities ,” he said . “ The Multiflo ® range of electric-driven pump units are capable of pumping not only water against high head situations , but also the large quantities of solids and slurries associated with mine dewatering .”
Across mines in Indonesia , owned by PT Putra Perkasa Abadi ( PPA ) and PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama ( BUMA ), Weir Minerals already provides a combination of both diesel- and electric-powered units .
In the future , the company sees many opportunities to add to its electric-powered pump reference list with business from thirdparty contractors .
Ross explained : “ Because the Multiflo dewatering pumps are specialised equipment , it ’ s not always necessary for a mine site to have one on-hand all the time ; they may want to hire a contractor to carry out project work , instead . The type of projects it is ideal for – relocating mud , dredging pits after a new orebody is discovered , etc – usually take between three and 12 months .
Critical valve selection
Valve selection is a critical factor in the successful operation and commercial success of a slurry transportation pipeline , according to Kenny Gorman , Mining Industry Director , ValvTechnologies . An inferior valve selection can significantly negatively impact the valves , other pipeline equipment ( pumps , piping , instruments , chokes , etc ) and the pipeline operation itself , with risks of substantial downtime and related losses in revenue .
ValvTechnologies has been involved in slurry valve technology for 35 years as a designer and manufacturer of severe service , zero leakage valves , supplying long-distance slurry transportation pipelines across the globe and many tailings transportation pipeline operations .
The first of its valves were commissioned at a copper operation in Chile . From there , ValvTechnologies says it has gone on to supply over 8,000 AbrasoTech ® valves to slurry pipelines worldwide , amassing over 500 million operating hours in the process .
“ Whether installed in a pump station , choke station , valve station , terminal or header station , all applications have one thing in common : the need for dependable and absolute zero leakage isolation ,” Gorman said .
ValvTechnologies engineers are involved from the preliminary stages of a project and work closely with engineering consultants , EPCs and mining companies to ensure all requirements are fully defined and that an optimal valve solution is provided , Gorman says . At existing pipeline operations , ValvTechnologies engineers work as consultants with operators to offer knowledge to increase efficiencies , lower costs and achieve increased production targets .
“ The unmatched success of the AbrasoTech valve is due to its unique internal design features , which are engineered specifically for each application to achieve maximum reliability and long service life ,” Gorman said . “ AbrasoTech ’ s unique integral seat design significantly improves the reliability and wear life of the valve by eliminating internal leak paths through which high-pressure slurry can pass and cause erosion and wear .”
ValvTechnologies ’ experience covers various ores , concentrates and tailings . Within this , copper , iron , zinc , nickel and phosphate operations have been served in extremely diverse environments .
“ For each case , numerous operational factors need to be considered , such as slurry properties and characteristics , the effects of a changing
State-of-the-art HVOF RiTech ® coatings are robotically applied to critical areas in the AbrasoTech ® valve to further protect against erosion and corrosion , ValvTechnologies says
orebody , sites of valve installations and the expectations of future throughputs ,” Gorman said . “ Every operation is unique , and this needs to be reflected in the valve designs proposed if the customer is to receive the most appropriate solution .”
Specifically , pump isolation is a vital application , and the reliability of valves is arguably more critical in this service than in any other , he argues . Any leak at the pump isolation valve can jeopardise the integrity of the pumps and team safety .
Current industry standards for testing metal / metal seated ball valves ( ANSI / FCI 70-2 , ASME B16.34 & API 598 ) permit a certain amount of leakage during factory acceptance tests , but if a valve shows leakage during the factory test , this situation can only worsen when introduced into operation and subjected to the slurry .
ValvTechnologies developed in-house test acceptance criteria exceeding all industry standards to provide the most reliable and safe valve solutions , Gorman said . This requires “ no visually detectable leakage for the test duration ”, equivalent to ISO5208 rate A : a measure that previously only soft seated valves could achieve . This is a distinction proven in the field and highly valued by operators , he added .
20 International Mining | JUNE 2022