Component and technical services provider BMG notes that its SF series range of Steimel lubricant and feed gear pumps is used primarily on oil lube systems in mines, steelworks, power stations and general industry.

“SF heavy-duty pumps are particularly suitable for transporting [chemically compatible] media with minimal lubricity that does not contain solids,” says BMG pumps national product manager Joe Pinheiro, adding that the pumps offer pulsation-free pumping delivery, and are designed to pump any grade of lube oil, including high viscosity oils.

SF gear pumps are used as circulation pumps in oil lube systems, kidney systems and for transferring, offloading or dispensing of oils.

Pinheiro adds that the range – which has gained popularity throughout Africa – is available in Zambia from BMG’s Kitwe and Lusaka branches.

The BMG team works closely with clients to provide a technical advisory and support service for the oil lube systems on mills operating in Zambia, that were designed, built and supplied by BMG – originally by industrial equipment supplier OMSA, which was acquired by BMG about seven years ago.

Pinheiro explains that these compact pumps are easy to assemble. The standard design is supplied with a clockwise rotation, which is easily altered to anticlockwise, by rotating the end cover plate by 180º. The direction of delivery flow will change simultaneously. An optional feature is an adjustable pressure relief valve built into the housing, for short-term protection against pressure spikes.

Pinheiro explains that the use of gear wheels with 12 teeth reduces delivery flow pulsation and minimises noise during operation. Shaft journals are mounted in composite bearing bushes which ensures continuous duty and extended service life.

“All pump sizes can be equipped with an anti-friction bearing at the driving end, to accommodate radial and axial forces.”

Further, he points out that standard pumps have a maximum rotational speed of 1 800 rpm for a maximum viscosity up to 380 cSt and a differential pressure up to 25 bar.

He adds that the maximum permissible rotational speed depends on the viscosity or lubricity of the medium.

“The higher the oil viscosity, the lower the speed. These pumps can handle media with a viscosity range from five to 50 000 cSt and can withstand a temperature range between –40 ºC and 250 ºC.”

Pinheiro comments that other pumps offered in the Steimel range include the SF ATEX gear pumps, which provide a high degree of safety in potentially explosive environments. The Type SF M feed pumps, meanwhile, have a magnetic coupling, and are hermetically sealed to operate safely in applications at elevated temperatures.

BMG also supplies the Steimel feed pump T series on request. These rotary gear pumps are designed to transport almost all media and can be used to maximum rotational speeds of 1 500 rpm, at pressures of up to 16 bar.

Moreover, the Steimel Model B lubricant and feed pumps are designed to efficiently handle highly fluid media, including waste oils, greases, hardening and hydraulic oils, resins, lubricating greases and oils, as well as turbine and thermal oils.

“These pumps have a permissible excess pressure up to 50 bar, viscosity ranges of up to 5 000 cP and a displacement from 2 to 75 cm³/rotation,” says Pinheiro.

BMG offers a technical advisory service to ensure selection of the most suitable pump size for every specific application. The company supports the range with a spares facility and 24-hour maintenance service through more than 100 BMG branches and a wide distribution network throughout Southern Africa.