Mechanical Technology February 2016

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Mechanical Technology — February 2016 11
⎪ Special report ⎪
module is lifted off the trailer, the truck
can be driven away from underneath it
and the module lowered directly onto its
plinth,” Jackson reveals.
The complete pump station, which
was fully tested and commissioned on
the factory floor of Efficient Engineering’s
Tunney premises, was delivered to the
Sishen site and then deployed and
anchored to the plinth in only three
days. “The concrete bases underneath
the pumps were poured earlier this year
and, after a few days of curing, the pump
station was fully operational,” he adds.
As well as for electrical substations
and mechanical pump stations, the off-
site modular approach to the construction
of plant, according to Jackson, is ideal for
any large, complex equipment systems
that operate in remote or difficult environ-
ments. In particular, he cites mini-hydro
plants; telecommunication centres; dust
scrubbers for pollution control; lubrica-
tion systems for crusher plants, with oil
purification and cooling/heating systems
to protect the assets; and geotechnical
laboratories, with robots and automation
equipment that is difficult to commission
in remote environments.
Efficient Power also specialises in custom-built backup generators. The offsite modular approach is ideal
for any large, complex equipment systems that have to operate in remote or difficult environments.
Significant savings accrue by chang-
ing the project execution strategy: “A
brick-built building requires that every-
one, including the equipment installers,
have to drive to site and install the equip-
ment. They will all bill the project for the
additional travelling, accommodation and
inconvenience. These costs can easily
amount to 30% of total project costs.
“Efficient Power manufactures prop-
erly designed plant buildings that use
advanced materials such as our South
African-Developed 3CR12 stainless steel.
They are equipped with the best equip-
ment, from companies such as KSB and
ABB. Yet the cost deviation by taking an
offsite approach is dramatic!” Jackson
concludes. q