Mechanical Technology September 2016

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪

With substantial developments underway, Brubin pumps, which forms part of Letaba pumps, showcased a number of innovative products at Electra Mining 2016. Brubin pump innovations on show

eight hours on a large pump. “This new design saves time, since users do not need to open up, pull apart, or drain the pump as with the standard hose pump design,” he points out. Another innovation from Brubin showcased at Electra Mining was the Brubin Magnetic Drive Pumps (Mag Drive). “These are the future of chemi- cal pumping,” says Letaba Pumps MD, John Vass. “Our Brubin Mag Drives are being supplied to the likes of Denel and Sasol because of their reliability and international support,” he adds. The Brubin range of Mag Drives is built in South Africa and has an already impressive footprint in the industry. “I believe these represent the future of pumping when it comes to clear acids. In the USA, over 50% of clear acid ap- plications use Mag Drives,” adds the Letaba Pumps’ MD. Vass highlights that Mag Drive pumps don’t require mechanical seals or gland packing “because there is no risk of leaks”. The fluid in the pump is hermeti- cally contained, with transmission being accomplished via coupled internal and external magnets. q

A Brubin BA CIP (Cleaning in Pro- cess) hose pump was displayed at the company’s stand in Hall 6, making it a first for South frican audiences. “So far, the international success of this pump design has seen over € 1-mil- lion being secured in investment,” says Brubin general manager, Hannes Liebenberg, who highlights that these pumps use collapsible shoe technology, which allows the hose to be opened for in process cleaning.

Pumping action is achieved by com- pression of a circular loop of elastomeric hose with two opposed rotating shoes. The rotational motion forces fluid in the hose to move ahead of each shoe. The pump housing is partially filled with lubricant, aiding smooth running of the shoes on the hose. Because the inside of the hose and inserts are the only parts in contact with fluid, aggres- sive and contaminated fluids can be pumped – and due to the incorporation of CIP Technology, these fluids can be successfully flushed. The moment the shoes are reversed, they collapse, which unblocks the entire hose. “By opening the hose completely, air or water can pass through freely, making the hose easy to clean,” says Liebenberg. On a standard pump, users would have to open the unit and remove the shoes for cleaning, which takes about

The Brubin BA

CIP (Cleaning in Process) hose pump features collapsible shoes,

which open the hose completely to allow air or water to be passed through for easy cleaning.

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Mechanical Technology — September 2016