e sump slurry pump manual

Manufacturer expands slurry pump range for extreme applications

Manufacturer expands slurry pump range for extreme applications

Focusing on high-density slurry applications that require superior abrasion- and corrosion-resistant materials, original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa has expanded its submersible slurry pump range to handle more extreme conditions.

A standout feature of the Goodwin submersible slurry pump is its unique electrical design, which ensures reliability through specifically extending bearing life, highlights Goodwin Africa operations and marketing director Rui Gomes.

The pumps are designed with the motor and bearings housed in a completely sealed unit, submerged in hydraulic oil for lubrication and cooling.

This sealed system, combined with mechanical seals at the pressure end and around the electrical cable gland, reduces the likelihood of electrical, seal or bearing failures.

The design also allows for the full wet-end replacement of established equipment without affecting the motor or sealing arrangement – a rarity in submersible slurry pumps.

Another innovation includes the pump’s ability to run dry for extended periods without consequence – an uncommon capability in the industry, Gomes adds.

Further, the inclusion of an inducer on the pump’s extended impeller shaft helps to generate hydrodynamic shockwaves that assist in re-suspending settled solids, consequently allowing for heavy slurries and particles to be pumped.

The pump’s stand, at the bottom, provides additional protection for pond linings, which are often damaged by large earthmoving equipment.

Goodwin submersible slurry pumps also feature a bottom inlet and top discharge, with a twin volute casing design that balances the load on the shaft, bearings and mechanical seal. This design significantly reduces vibration and extends the life of all components, states Gomes.

The open vane impeller accommodates large particles, which often cause blockages in other pump designs, thereby allowing for the handling of particles ranging from 25 mm to 76 mm.

“[Goodwin’s submersible pumps are also an excellent alternative to traditional vertical spindle pumps used in mineral processing plants. The submersible design eliminates common problems, such as excessive vibration and pulley drive failures, offering significantly reduced maintenance needs.”

Goodwin’s pumps “far exceed” the maintenance intervals of vertical spindle pumps and can run safely for hours, even when the pumps previously run dry, adds Gomes.

The pumps are ideal for areas at mineral processing plants with bunded zones and spillage sumps, as they can handle varying spillage conditions effectively.

Range Expansion

The pumps range has expanded to include an acid-resistant variant – the 100SDSS.

Built using the foundation of Goodwin’s ANZE pump, this super duplex stainless steel variant is ideal for heavy and abrasive acidic conditions.

The 100SDSS pump can handle products containing acids, such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acids, in slurry form.

Gomes says the pump is well-suited to use in fertiliser production, or uranium or copper mining.

In dewatering applications, Goodwin offers the dirty water high head (DWHH) pump, available in 100 mm and 150 mm and delivering discharge heads of up to 130 m and 190 m, respectively.

The pumps are suitable for use in flood control, highwall pumping or long-distance pumping tasks.

Goodwin has also added its hydraulically-driven Slurry Champ to the range, which shares many features of the electric pump and, as such, offers “guaranteed” quality and strength, Gomes enthuses.

Similar to the 100ANZE, the Slurry Champ is designed to handle challenging slurries and large particles in harsh environments.

A key feature is its ability to be powered by a standard hydraulic power pack or mounted on an excavator boom, making it versatile, mobile and suitable for remote operations without the need for electrical infrastructure.

Gomes concludes that, as Goodwin continues to innovate and expand, its pumps will remain a “key asset” for industries requiring dependable, high-performance slurry solutions.

Over a four-year period, 2017 to 2021, submersible pumps manufacturer Goodwin has undertaken a significant project in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, where the company’s 200ANZE and 200HNZB 112 kW submersible slurry pumps were used to recover chromium from tailings at a platinum operation.

“The process, known as hydromining, is commonly used where secondary minerals, such as chrome, are recovered after tailings have been left to settle,” explains Goodwin operations and marketing director Rui Gomes.

The costly process of using mobile machinery, such as trucks, to recover the product was negated using pumping technology afforded by the hydromining process.

Gomes adds that the project is a “major success”, with four of Goodwin’s biggest pumps operating 24/7, moving about 780 m3 of slurry an hour for an extended period.

“Each pump had achieved an outstanding return on investment, with a payback period of just five weeks per unit,” he boasts.

Further, the operation’s continuous service, including regular refurbishments of wet-end components, such as impellers and wear plates, underscored the pumps’ reliability and efficiency.

Goodwin Africa has also been supplying pumps, spares and aftermarket services to a major copper mine in Zambia. The mine has over 30 pumps in operation, ranging from the company’s smallest 100 mm 100ANZE pump to its largest 200 mm 200ANZE pump.

These pumps are used in sump duties, return-water reticulation, ball mill sump pumping, spillage pumping, tailings remining and pond duties.

“As a business partner, we supply new pumps and spares, as well as ongoing pump repairs and maintenance, to this and many more customers,” concludes Gomes.