Industrial equipment supplier Atlas Copco’s pump dewatering specialist arm IPR, formerly Integrated Pump Rental, has delivered its first pumps for a ballasting project in the maritime industry. The pumps were supplied to an oil and gas project, off the coast of Angola.

While the Atlas Copco R150DP dry-prime pumps that were supplied to the project are traditionally used in the mining, quarrying, construction and food and beverage sectors, for this application, the pumps will move seawater in and out of a ship’s ballast tanks for stabilisation and balance.

Maintaining the ballast is a critical function to keep vessels safely afloat when, for example, changing cargo loads.

Although the pumps are generally operated manually, Atlas Copco offers sensors and software to monitor the pumps’ condition, reminding operators of impending maintenance requirements after 250 hours of operation and alerting operators if the pumps are functioning in a suboptimal manner, as a value-added feature.

It was an unusual application for IPR, but one that is critical for the safe operation of a vessel and for which the dry-prime pumps are ideally suited, IPR business development manager Ruaan Venter tells Engineering News.

The pumps can effectively evacuate air from the system and initiate water flow using a dedicated priming mechanism, such as a vacuum pump. They can run intermittently or continuously, without affecting performance.

Moreover, the semi-open impeller allows for solids handling up to 76 mm, which, in this application, mitigates the risk of inlet blockages from sea life or ocean pollution. The Atlas Copco R150DP unit can achieve a suction lift of up to 10 m at sea level.

The pump’s cast-iron rubber-lined plates also ensure high resistance to turbid sandy waters.

Atlas Copco pumps are deemed a superior brand of pumps in the market as they offer hydraulic efficiency, which reduces downtime and maintenance, says Venter. The pumps are equipped with a patented hinged door making maintenance easier and reducing downtime. This swing door allows easy access to the pump’s internal components including wet ends.

He adds that Atlas Copco pumps are a trusted brand, supported by expertise and service from IPR, with quality, professional, consistent and reliable service being an utmost priority.

IPR will soon supply, on a rental basis, more pumps for ballasting – which will be used to balance and stabilise boats in harbours – in Mozambique.

Locally, IPR still sees strong demand for Atlas Copco dewatering pump rentals from mining, quarrying, construction and food and beverage companies, but particularly those that recognise that cheap imported pumps – often from the Far East – cost more to operate over the life cycle of the asset.

“There are hidden costs to cheap pumps. More expensive upfront costs – typically associated with premium-quality equipment such as Atlas Copco pumps – are, ultimately, offset by less downtime, maintenance and/or loss of production owing to inefficiencies,” Venter notes.

IPR has a solid stockholding in South Africa to service various industries as and when needed.

Meanwhile, Venter adds that IPR is establishing an office in Zambia, which will start operating during the second quarter, on the back of demand for on-the-ground expertise and skills, particularly for dam-clearing applications.

The company is also investigating the viability of a branch in Kenya to complement another Atlas Copco subsidiary.