Localisation for Africa
The DTI Designation Process
Water Feed Pumps A specific type of pump used to feed water into a steam boiler . The water may be freshly supplied or returning condensate produced as a result of the condensation of the steam produced by the boiler . These pumps are normally high pressure units that take suction from a condensate return system and can be of the centrifugal pump type or positive displacement type .
Condensate Extraction Pumps An extraction pump is an important part of a feedwater system . It works as a tool for generating the required pressure , to deliver the feed water from a condenser a feed pump inlet . They are usually vertical shaft , two stage , centrifugal pumps , which are used in applications involving high pressure and high volume .
Water circulation pumps Circulating pumps are designed to circulate water back to the boiler after it has expelled some of its heat .
Drain Pumps – LP Heater , Condensate Tank and Process
A typical regenerative cycle includes a series of closed heaters located between the condensate pump and the boiler feed pump . Generally , the heater drains from these heaters are cascaded down to the lowest pressure heater in the system , from which they are pumped back into the condensate discharge header by a heater drain pump .
Eskom emphasised the importance of a cluster , stating its advantages as follows :
• One point of entry to Eskom in terms of informing and shaping localisation strategy .
• Commercial “ neutral ” engagement between Eskom and industry .
• An opportunity to build on collective learning re localisation issues .
• One voice to Government regarding policy / supporting environment .
• A greater chance to draw in other major buyers .
• The cluster could serve as a possible technical working group with end users regarding specifications .
The dti to consider designation of pumps
The dti ’ s Patrick Mbambo presented the dti ’ s designation policies and processes in support of the cluster activities . The dti highlighted their approach and explained that they wish to leverage public procurement to :
• Preserve the current industrial capacity .
• Retain and create jobs and skilled labour force .
• Use current capabilities to increase industrial capacity .
• Attract investments to new industrial activities / sectors / components .
• Embed sustainable transformation .
• Use the captive home market to develop globally competitive local industries and new niche export opportunities .
The elected Cluster Steering Committee has now started managing government and Eskom to ensure that the designation opportunities benefit this important sector and sub-sectors .
The inaugural cluster meeting was facilitated by Richard Beän from the UNIDO SPX programme .
The UNIDO SPX programme will assist and support the cluster to profile the cluster members as well as to assess their capabilities .
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