MINING PUMPS
Schurco Slurry has recently successfully supplied 20 new pumps to a copper mine in the Northern Cape
established an office in Dubai to cater to the Middle East and surrounding regions.
Schurco:“ Polyurethane-lined slurry pumps have become a cornerstone in various industries, particularly in mining, mineral processing, and wastewater treatment. What sets these pumps apart are their exceptional attributes that contribute to enhanced efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and a more sustainable industrial landscape.”
It says polyurethane-lined slurry pumps offer a myriad of advantages, including exceptional wear resistance, chemical compatibility for handling corrosive slurries, lightweight design for easy installation and maintenance, dampening properties for a safer working environment, high-efficiency impellers reducing energy consumption, modular designs for straightforward maintenance, easy customisation for specific operational needs, abrasionresistant linings prolonging component life, and environmental friendliness through recyclability and reduced emissions during manufacturing.
The company concludes:“ As industries continue to rely on the efficient transport of abrasive and corrosive materials, polyurethane-lined slurry pumps stand out as indispensable assets, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient future.”
Cornell’ s Z-Series of ANSIcompatible pumps
Cornell last year unveiled the latest addition to its pump family: the new Z-Series of ANSI-compatible pumps. It says this project represents a significant milestone, offering an efficient, cost-effective, and reliable solution tailored to the dynamic demands of the single-stage end suction centrifugal market. ANSI pumps find applications across various industries, including textiles, chemicals, mining and marine.
Cornell states:“ The Z-Series pumps have highly efficient and adaptable cartridge seals, providing the best possible sealing solutions for harsh operating environments.
These seals are incredibly easy to install and service, ensuring minimised downtime and maximising productivity. Their flexibility and reliability can be used across a range of pump models, delivering consistent and optimal performance even in the most challenging conditions. So, whether you need to move abrasive slurry or corrosive chemicals, the Z-Series pumps, with their superior cartridge seals, have you covered.”
The pumps use CD4MCu, a duplex stainless steel that uses a two-phase metallurgy process, different from the singlephase metallurgy process found in common stainless steel grades like 316. This process combines the corrosion resistance of 300-series stainless steel with the strength and hardness of 400-series stainless steel. This results in stainless steel with equivalent or superior corrosion resistance to 316 SS but with twice the yield strength. CD4MCu allows pumps to be used in more abrasive applications with enhanced resistance to corrosive cracking and pitting.
The company adds:“ All Z Series pumps feature high efficiency to save you money, and their robust designs reduce downtime. When considering purchasing a pump, it is crucial to remember that the initial price is only a small fraction of the total cost of operating the pump throughout its lifetime. The purchase price typically accounts for five to seven percent of the total cost. The remaining cost comprises maintenance expenses, contributing to about 10 % of the pump’ s lifetime cost, and energy expenses, which can make up as much as 85 % of the total cost. However, Cornell’ s highly efficient pumps can help you save a significant amount each month, which can lower the overall lifetime cost of the pump and help you avoid maintenance issues in the long run.”
The new Z-Series also features the double volute design on many models.“ One of the standout features of the Z-Series is the innovative Double Volute design. This unique feature prevents shaft snapping from radial forces and significantly increases wear life. As the impeller adds energy to the fluids, pressure increases around the periphery of the volute. On single-volute pumps, the increasing pressure acts against the impeller area and creates unbalanced radial forces. By contrast, the Double-Volute effectively balances these forces around the impeller to reduce shaft flexure and fatigue.”
It adds that there is no discernible difference in solids handling capability versus a single cutwater volute.“ Still, there is an excellent difference in pump longevity and bearing wear due to less shaft deflation. Cornell’ s Double Volute design helps keep shafts from breaking and extends the life of packing and mechanical seals, wear rings, and bearings – maintaining high hydraulic efficiency.”
The new Cornell Z-Series features the double volute design on many models
Models range in size from 1” to 24”( Z-Series runs 2” to 8”), and a range of configuration options are available for each model – including frame and engine mount options and Cornell features like Run-Dry™ and Redi-Prime ®. Cornell’ s Redi- Prime ® system is a patented technology that enables pumps to prime or reprime themselves automatically without constant monitoring.“ With oversized suctions the Redi-Prime pumps provide greater flow, reduced friction losses, and higher suction lift. The system can handle large solids and air / liquid mixtures while maintaining premium hydraulic efficiency and lower energy consumption. To ensure environmental safety, the Redi-Prime system utilises a positive sealing float box and a diaphragm vacuum pump, which prevents any water carry-over that could contaminate the environment. The system can be easily installed on most Cornell pumps.”
The Redi-Prime system offers the following benefits- fully automatic priming and repriming; efficiently handling air / liquid mixtures; rapidly priming and re-priming completely unattended; environmentally safe priming designed to prevent product leakage; plus it offers premium hydraulic efficiency for reduced energy consumption.
International Mining | JUNE 2025 47