Industrial tools and equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco Power Technique’s completion of its portfolio of WEDA electric submersible dewatering pumps, with the addition of a new pumps range for slurry applications in the mining industry, is enabling the company to increase its supply to the local mining sector, says Atlas Copco portable products business line manager David Stanford.

The WEDA L range, the newest range for slurry applications, was introduced in January this year.

The range efficiently manages semi-liquid slurry mixtures usually comprising fine particles of manure, cement or coal, and water.

“We will be more active in mining than we have been in the past, purely because we’re starting to bring in some products that meet the requirements for these specific mining applications,” he enthuses.

Using a bottom-side discharge, the WEDA L pumps manage water of specific gravity of up to 1 700 kg/m3. It also has a solid handling of between 20 mm and 60 mm in diameter.

WEDA+ features, including phase failure protection, rotation control, thermal switches and a 20 m cable with phase shifter plug, are available for all of the pumps in the WEDA D (dewatering) and WEDA S (sludge) ranges. WEDA+ features are also available as an option on the L range.

Stanford asserts that all pump models in the WEDA L range, as well as pump models in the company’s WEDA S and WEDA D ranges, are built with features that ensure efficient operation in harsh environments.

These features include a built-in starter and motor protection system, as well as optional automatic level control. Enhanced durability is maintained with adjustable wear-resistant rubber diffusors and hardened high-chrome impellers.

Use of an improved aluminium alloy also results in a higher corrosion resistance for all applications, while reinforced cable entries provide higher resistance for water leakage.

Simple and efficient maintenance for the WEDA pumps results in maximised uptime. All WEDA pumps contain seal types appropriate for their particular size, an external plug for grease filling, or an oil inspection plug.

Owing to the pumps’ various connection options and sizes, discharge connections are adjustable with flow directions from 90º to 180º.

The company also supports WEDA pump clients with readily available parts, as well as a vast network of dealers and service technicians.

Diverse WEDA Range

Atlas Copco initially started with the WEDA range of electrical dewatering pumps. This was classified as the WEDA D range.

“Subsequently, we developed the WEDA S range for sludge applications, and we’ve added additional products to this WEDA range. “That would be 25 mm to 50 mm solid handling of the sludge up to a specific gravity of 1 400 kg/m3,” he states.

Earlier this year, the company added two new models – the S30 and S60 – to the WEDA S range, which is ideal for the dewatering of liquid sludge with bigger solids.

These models are able to handle thick, soft, wet mud or other similar viscous mixtures of liquids and solids, particularly products from an industrial or refining process.

“Through these range expansions, coupled with design enhancements, our WEDA pumps are now capable of providing flow rates of up to 16 500 ℓ/min, with power ratings of up to 54 kW,” claims Stanford.

He highlights the significant shift this brings for the company, as Atlas Copco Power Technique decided in 2010 that pumps would be a prime focus, particularly in the general construction industry and water applications.

“We’re seeing a lot more interest in these models since their introduction. “We’re now at a stage where we’re starting to fill the gaps in specific mining applications and that’s where we see the sludge and slurry ranges playing a significant role,” he concludes.