Company Announcement - Integrated Pump Technology of South Africa has commissioned its new 90 kW test tank facility at its 1 200 m2 premises in Bartlett, Johannesburg, which includes a warehouse, rental division and full service and repair capability. “More and more customers are demanding test curves for their repaired pumps, which is critical for reliability. The issue is that while a pump can be repaired, you can only determine if it is operating at optimum efficiency by testing it,” Lester Fine, Managing Director, says.

Integrated Pump Technology is the exclusive distributor in Southern Africa for Grindex of Sweden, the world’s third largest submersible pump manufacturer. The main innovation of the Grindex dewatering product family is the capability of the sub-18 kW range to run dry. This is due to a unique air valve integrated into the pump which allows the impeller to pass air instead of water past the motor in a dry run condition. A patented smart motor protector ensures thermal overload, phase loss and phase rotation protection. The Grindex sludge range has all the advantages of the dewatering range, coupled with a recessed vortex impeller and split hydraulics with replaceable rubber linings. This makes the sludge units capable of greater solids handling, with increased abrasion resistance. Lightweight aluminium construction means that these highly portable and robust pumps are ideal for underground face dewatering.

Grindex dewatering and sludge pumps are also available in 316 stainless steel, with a capacity of handling pH values between 2 and 13, which means they are ideal for process applications. Grindex also manufactures a range of pedigree slurry pumps. Boasting a total hard chrome construction, these units are designed to move medium to heavy slurries with high abrasive content without sacrificing efficiency, abrasion resistance or production downtime. “Our rental pumps are tested as soon as they are returned, and if they do not pump at about 90% of their performance, they are stripped, serviced and repaired,” Fine explains. The new test facility is therefore essential to Integrated Pump Technology’s rental offering, which is a growing trend in the market. In terms of general pump repairs, Fine says that the main benefit for the customer is receiving a pump back that is guaranteed to meet the original specifications. “All our repaired pumps are issued with a warranty certifying that they have been repaired to original standards,” Fine says.

He adds that Integrated Pump Technology has qualified technicians on hand to carry out any repairs that are needed. “We have invested significantly in skilled personnel and have a high staff retention rate. A particular skill set is required for pump repairs, which are not only about the hydraulics, but increasingly involve electrics as well, especially with submersible pumps.” Fine says that while pump technology is advancing steadily in the pursuit of improved efficiencies, Grindex pumps are characterised by their ruggedness, ‘plug-and-play’ ease of operation and low maintenance requirements.

The 18 000 litre test tank, which measures 3.6 m by 2.4 m, is fully automated, with different programs for specific Grindex pumps. “You set it and it automatically runs through a sequence to test the pump according to the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s pump curve. It is connected to a computer but can also be operated manually if need be,” Fine explains. The above-ground test tank was designed specifically for Integrated Pump Technology’s new facility, and represents a considerable investment.

Fine adds that the pump sector is highly competitive. “There are a large number of players at the moment. You have to focus on customer service as a result, and turnaround time is definitely critical when it comes to repairs, as downtime impacts not only on the bottom line, but also has health and safety implications for dewatering applications at mines,” Fine says.

Integrated Pump Technology has just launched a campaign in order to gain a detailed understanding of the dewatering requirements of the South African mining industry. “Together with our new test facility, this will really give us an edge in the market. We believe that there is still untapped potential locally, which companies are overlooking in their efforts to focus on Africa. The reality is that the local mining industry is still huge, and is alive and well,” Fine concludes.