Becker Mining South Africa’s range of light, medium and heavy-duty slurry pumps includes the hydro solids range, available in vertical, horizontal and submersible configurations.

These pumps, introduced to the market in 2013, are designed for optimum efficiency, low maintenance and extended service life in diverse industries and harsh operating conditions.

The hydro solids pumps range is manufactured locally to stringent original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications, and includes four different models, in various sizes – from 5 cm to 20.3 cm units.

The horizontal hydro solids (HHS), vertical hydro solids (VHS), pumpmor vertical solids (PVS) and submersible (HTMS) pumps are ideally suited to many applications in mining, waste treatment, foundries and steel mills, paper and pulp, food processing, as well as power plants, agriculture and manufacturing.

Becker Mining South Africa head of sales Theo Cambanis says the pumps are designed to pump sludge and slurries containing large abrasive solids, trapped air and fibrous materials in light, medium and heavy service industries.

He adds that the range’s recessed, nonclog impeller, allows for solids and fibrous materials up to 200 mm (depending on pump size) to enter the suction inlet and be expelled through the pump’s discharge, without damaging the impeller.

The PVS pump differs slightly in design, with a locknut locking the impeller to the shaft. This prevents the impeller from turning off if the motor is started in the wrong rotation direction. PVS pumps can handle solids up to 7.6 cm. Heads up to 20 m can be achieved at speeds from 1 450 rpm, or up to 87 m at 3 000 rpm.

The horizontal and vertical configurations, offer a flexible drive arrangement, including direct coupled, overhead adjustable, or Z-adjustable belt drives.

HHS and VHS pumps, with heads up to 40 m and flow rate capacities to 800 m3/h, can be achieved at speeds of 1 750 rpm. These models can handle solids up to 20.3 cm. HTMS pumps have capacities to 636 m3/h and heads to 28 m that can withstand temperatures to 90 °C and pressures to 200.2 psi.

In all models, a robust one-piece casing facilitates the flow of solids and fibrous materials and an easily accessible stuffing box reduces blowback of media around the shaft sleeve, without actual sealing contact.

The heavy duty, hardened chrome iron construction (650BHN) of the wet end of these pumps increases service life. As all components are locally manufactured, the pumps are readily available and a large stockholding of spares and raw materials ensures swift delivery throughout the country.

An added advantage of the pumps’ design is that the spares are completely interchangeable, reducing inventory management costs and simplifying on-site repairs. The company is also able to adjust its extensive range of pumps to suit specific requirements.

Becker Mining employs a fully integrated ISO quality management system as part of a dedicated design, manufacturing, testing and repair facility.

Becker Mining South Africa is a holding company for the Becker Mining Systems Group. The company’s extensive product portfolio also includes steel arch support systems, transport systems, rope attachments and communication and collision avoidance systems.