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D E W AT E R I N G Pump Technology Produces New Models, New Designs Pump suppliers shoot for higher dewatering efficiency and lower energy consumption By Russell A. Carter, Managing Editor There's an old, old saying that "water always wins," alluding to the relentless pressure and seemingly infinite routes that water uses to work its way into places where it isn't wanted. One of those places where it's definitely unwelcome is any mining area that requires dry ground and stable walls. It's often a constant battle to stay on top of groundwater inflows, and even though it's usually accepted that water will eventually "win" almost every contest, pump builders go to great lengths to make sure it won't happen while their units are running. Several of these manufacturers took the opportunity offered by this year's bauma trade show, held in Munich, Germany, in April, to introduce new models for minesite dewatering applications. And more recently, Wilden conducted an online press event to unveil new, energy-saving technology for its popular air-operated doublediaphragm (AODD) pump line. Building on BIBO At bauma, Xylem unveiled a new submersible dewatering pump range comprising four new pumps ranging from 4 to 18 kW. The new units, according to the company, are specifically designed for water removal in mining and other extremely harsh dewatering conditions and are modeled on the popular Flygt BIBO unit. Xylem also introduced a powerful and compact Godwin pump specifically designed for lower-head dewatering applications. More than 1 million of the original Flygt BIBO pumps have been sold since they were introduced in the 1960s, according to Xylem, and the new Flygt BIBO range incorporates several proven design features taken from the original dewatering pump, as well as new enhancements that give the pumps improved wear resistance and uptime capability. The new Flygt BIBO series, said the company, has been specifically designed for the toughest dewatering environments. Daniel Westin, product manager at Xylem, said, "Xylem's new Flygt BIBO includes several innovations such as our DuraSpin hydraulic system for unmatched wear resist38 E&MJ; • AUGUST 2013 Flygt BIBO Model 2870. demand from the mining, construction and other industrial market sectors. Xylem said it will increase its bank of surface and submersible pumps through an aggressive rental branch rollout scheduled over the coming years including refurbishment of existing premises, new locations and via selective acquisitions. Xylem said it is making the move after experiencing a growing need for expert providers of complete, turnkey dewatering solutions as well as for dewatering pumps to rent. Andrew Jones, head of Xylem's dewatering business, said, "We have noticed an increased demand within the industry for dewatering services to be supplied as a complete package including pump and water treatment systems, engineering expertise and project management. This limits customers' administration and management efforts, and provides peace of mind as they are contracting dewatering experts to take care of the job." ance, a new plug-in seal and a single impeller-adjustment screw. All of these innovations work together to deliver our customers a pump with high uptime capability and a limited and low-cost service requirement." Xylem's new Flygt BIBO is available in four models—the 2830, 2840, 2860 and 2870—capable of handling flows of up to High-head Units for Europe 100 l/s (1,600 gal/min), heads up to 80 m In another Europe-related development, (300 ft) and solids up to 12 mm in diam- Weir Minerals recently introduced the latest eter. They're available in power ratings of edition in its range of Warman centrifugal 3.7 to 18 kW (5.9 to 27 hp). pumps, the DWU dewatering pump, to the Xylem's Flygt BIBO range will be avail- European market. able worldwide starting in the fall of 2013. The pump is designed to deliver inThe company also showcased its Vac- creased efficiency where water must be liftPrime range, which automatically primes ed to great heights—and the unit delivers and re-primes from dry conditions. All efficient operation at heads of up to 140 m. units have single-stage end suction cen- Four sizes are available, with outlet diametrifugal pump ends, capable of handling ters of 75 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm and 200 solids and fitted with high-pressure double mm. The company noted that about half of silicon carbide, oil bath mechanical seals, the parts used in the new design are interwhich allow the sets to run dry. Priming is changeable with Weir Minerals' popular done by a high-volume, belt-driven vacuum Warman WBH slurry pump to help clients pump and float-actuated air/water separa- simplify spare parts ordering and holding. tion system incorporating scrubber tank and coalescing unit. Cast iron construction is standard with stainless steel available as an option. In addition, Xylem noted that it is expanding its dewatering pump rental offering across Europe to cater to a growing Cutaway diagram of Weir Minerals DWU dewatering pump. www.e-mj.com