Mechanical Technology June 2015

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪

The SAER horizontal split casing water pump, which, though Tuscany, is now part of Brubin Pumps’ range. Brubin Pumps Brubin Pumps is an established leader in the manufacture and supply of envi- ronmentally friendly and safe pumping solutions in southern and South Africa. “Our magnetic drive pumps, along with a supporting range of process pumps, are backed by international well known manufacturers such as M-Pumps and CDR from Italy, and we have been manu- facturing the Magflo brand in South Africa for over 30 years now,” says Irle. Like diaphragm pumps, magnetic drive pumps have a sealless design. The pump is close coupled to the motor but external magnets on the drive shaft transmit the motion to internal magnets connected to the impeller. The inner magnets and impeller are housed in a hermetically sealed chamber, isolating the liquid being pumped from outside access. “This is an ideal solution for pre- venting leakage and emissions of chemi- cals, corrosive, explosive and flammable fluids that could be dangerous for people and the environment – or for expensive media where leakage loses directly affect profits,” he explains. “For the Magflo range, we try to maximise local content. We outsource the castings to Stelloy Castings in Bronkhorstspruit and the only imported components on the pumps are the mag- nets and the plastic powders used for lin- ings. We can source polypropylene (PP) locally, but we have to import polyvinyli- dene fluoride (PVDF) and Ethylene tetra- flurorethylene (ETFE), which both offer high corrosion and abrasion resistance. “We believe that localisation is an increasingly important issue,” says Irle. “Local manufacture creates employment and it is of increasing concern that Africa is becoming swamped with ‘cheap’ im- ports from the East,” he notes. As well as the magnetic drive pump range, Brubin also offers: Allprime self-

Wilden’s air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps from Letaba Industrial are a highly flexible and versatile option for industrial use, particularly for pumping viscous, abrasive and corrosive liquids.

priming centrifugal pumps, a rugged solution for waste water and industrial effluent; BBA units from the Netherlands for applications requiring vacuum-assist- ed self-priming; and the Pumpex range of submersible technology for drainage in the mining, industrial and sewage reticulation sectors. “We also distribute Brubin’s BA series peristaltic heavy-duty hose pumps for handling viscous slurries. These offer cost-effective environmentally friendly solutions for transfer and dosing applica- tions,” Irle adds. In addition, Tuscany Pumps has recently been brought into Set Points’ Brubin Pumps division. “Tuscany’s main focus is liquid-ring and air-vacuum pumps and blowers for application such as pneumatic conveying,” he explains. Also included in the range are: centrifugal process pumps; positive displacement gear pumps for all viscosity applications; lobe pumps for food and pharmaceutical applications; as well as hand-held drum decanters. Tuscany is also the official distributor of the complete SAER water pump range from Italy, which comple- ments the water products already mar- keted by Brubin. “Across our three Fluid Handling divi- sions, there is very little that we don’t cover. Each of us has a focused strategy, though, and in spite of some overlap, we don’t tread on each others toes much,” Irle assures MechTech . Asked about expansion into Africa, he says that Letaba and Brubin are already strong in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia and Set Point has installed pumps all the way up to Eritrea. “Africa is turning towards quality products,” Irle be- lieves, “and because of Torre Industrial’s strength on the continent, we see exiting expansion opportunities for all of our pumping products,” he concludes. q

Wilden’s hygienic range of pumps conform to the European Hygiene and Engineering Design Group (EHEDG) standards and are widely used at milk and yoghurt processing facilities. hygiene standards required,” he says. “On the production side, our Wilden air operated pumps are used to make yoghurt. They transfer accurate quanti- ties, add fruit and fill the tubs,” Duke continues, adding that these pumps come from Wilden’s hygienic range and conform to the European Hygiene and Engineering Design Group (EHEDG) stan- dards. “This is the highest sanitary stan- dard and has to be used for applications involving alkaline food products such as yoghurt, which have a low resistance to deterioration. Acidic, salted or sugared foods are less sensitive and can be ac- commodated with pumps that comply to the foodgrade (FDA) standards,” he explains. Preventing contamination, however, is a requirement for all food and beverage applications, which makes the isolated diaphragm system ideal for use in this industry. Wilden offers the largest selection of materials available from any AODD pump OEM to ensure chemical compatibility, temperature and abrasion resistance with the medium being pumped. “We are able to match the diaphragm and lining ma- terials to maximise the performance and life of every installed pump,” Duke as- sures. “As well as pumps for the food and beverage industries, we offer solutions for chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries,” he says.

Mechanical Technology — June 2015

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