Hochschild Mining (LSE: HOC; US-OTC: HCHDF) has discovered a new zone to the west of operations at its Pallancata silver-gold mine in southern Peru.
The new area, called Royropata, is not in the current permitted area, but the company believes that the discovery “has the potential to secure the medium-term future of the Pallancata mine.”
Highlights from the discovery include 17.6 metres grading 8.5 g/t gold and 2,520 g/t silver in drill hole DLRY-A10 and 6.5 metres of 6.6 g/t gold and 1,994 g/t silver in DLRY-A11, both in the Marco West Vein.
Hochschild says it plans to announce a preliminary inferred resource for the new discovery “in the next few weeks and will make a decision on the operation’s short-term future in 2023.”
“The brownfield exploration team expects to continue drilling a number of targets within the existing permitted area during the remainder of 2022,” Hochschild said in its Wednesday news release. “Depending on those results and the level of precious metal prices, Hochschild will make a decision on whether to place the mine on care and maintenance in 2023, while the company secures the necessary permits to bring the new discovery into production.”
NGEx Minerals (TSXV: NGEX) closed its previously announced $30 million private placement. The company sold a total of 15 million common shares at a price of $2 per share.
NGEx insiders took up approximately 6.0 million shares. NGEx paid a 5% finder’s fee in cash on a portion of the placement.
Net proceeds of the private placement will be used primarily to fund exploration in Chile and Argentina. The company’s US$3 million credit facility will be repaid, and a portion of the funding will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes.
The company’s portfolio includes the Los Helados porphyry copper-gold project in Chile. At a cut-off of 0.33% copper-equivalent, Helados has an indicated resource of 2.1 million tonnes grading 0.38% copper, 0.15 g/t gold and 1.37 g/t silver plus an inferred portion of 827.0 million tonnes grading 0.32% copper, 0.10 g/t gold, and 1.32 g/t silver. NGEx also have interests in the Valle Ancho copper-gold property in Argentina and the Vicuña property.
Mining is one of the world’s oldest industries, tracing its roots back to those prehistoric days when someone grabbed a digging instrument and began burrowing into the ground. In the many millennia since, mining has grown into one of the world’s most important and widespread commercial enterprises, with operations spread across the globe while tasked with recovering an almost inexhaustible list of valuable commodities.
In fact, according to the World Mining Congress’s World Mining Data 2020 report, 17.7 billion metric tons of mined products were recovered in 2018, up from 11.3 billion metric tons in 2000 and nearly double the 9.6 billion metric tons in 1985. Asian countries accounted for 58 percent of the 2018 production, with North America second at 15.1 percent, followed by Europe (8 percent), Oceania (6.8 percent), Latin America (6.3 percent), and Africa (5.3 percent). Individually, China (23 percent), the United States (12.1 percent), Russia (9.2 percent), and Australia (7.2 percent) were the most prolific producers, with their total 51.1 percent of production more than the rest of the world combined.
This means that the mining industry is a strong one, with solid growth expected to continue in the coming years in many regions of the world. It also means that mining operations will continue to rely on pumping technologies that offer robust, reliable, and safe service in a number of critical liquid-handling operations. This white paper will illustrate why positive displacement air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps can be the best choice for many of those applications.
THE CHALLENGE
While mining might appear to be nothing more than a rough-and-tumble operation—holes are dug by heavy machinery or with explosives, opening the hidden ode to access from above—there are, in fact, many complex and sometimes delicate operations that must be performed properly if the mining operation is to perform at its highest level of efficiency.
From a macro standpoint, this requires a pumping technology that can operate reliably in harsh and remote locations, even when submerged, or when tasked with handling particulate-laden liquids or toxic/corrosive products, and also one that is able to be maintained and repaired simply so downtime is lessened. The pumps must also be light enough to be manually moved from location to location within the mine itself.
For many years, a popular choice for use in these conditions was centrifugal pumps. While centrifugal pumps are able to create the high flow rates that are required, they have a number of operational “pain points” that hamper their use in mining applications: an inability to self-prime or run dry; special seals needed to prevent leaks; special linings needed to handle solids; high motor speeds of up to 1,800 rpm; and relatively high maintenance requirements and costs, especially when charged with transferring solid-heavy liquids.
Another popular choice has been the progressive cavity pump, but, like centrifugal pumps, they have a number of operational shortcomings. These include an inability to consistently handle liquids with high levels of abrasives, which leads to increased maintenance costs, wear on expensive stators and rotors that will eventually need to be replaced, and overall higher purchase, operating, and repair/replacement costs.
Here are some of the specific liquid-transfer operations that take place in a mine and the ways that some pump technologies can fall short in satisfying them:
Mine dewatering: Removing excess produced water from the mine is a critical 24/7/365 operation and the water that is recovered is often full of particulates that can be as large as 0.12 to 0.16 inches in size. If used in this application, centrifugal pumps require special materials of construction, which can be cost prohibitive, to protect against impeller wear caused by the abrasive particles. Centrifugal pumps are also not dry-run capable, which adversely affects their level of performance in this application.
General service: For common liquid-handling applications, you need an easy-to-operate pump that reliably can run dry, strip lines, operate at low speeds while still delivering high flow rates, and be easy to maintain and repair. Centrifugal pumps simply do not possess these capabilities.
Corrosive liquids: Much like solid-laden liquids, corrosive ones can wreak havoc on the wetted parts of centrifugal and progressive cavity pumps. This typically demands a need to use special mechanical seals, which can lead to exorbitant maintenance, repair, and replacement costs.
Press filter: Press filters are used to clean the liquids that are produced in the mines and, again, centrifugal pumps can fall short in this application because the solid-laden liquid can damage the pump’s internals unless special, more expensive materials of construction or linings are used. Also, the nature of press-filter operation creates a strong discharge-pressure variation that can force the centrifugal pump to operate away from its best efficiency point (BEP), resulting in high vibration and radial loads that can lead to shortened service life. A solution to this is the incorporation of variable frequency drives (VFDs) and controllers, but these are expensive and can negatively affect the cost-effectiveness of the operation.
Product transfer: This comes in all forms in a mining operation, from loading and unloading from transport trucks with new and used oil for the heavy machinery, fresh and fouled water, and any chemicals that are required. In every instance, there is the risk that the pump will be forced to run dry as the truck or storage vessel is emptied, while discharge-pressure variation can also generate high vibration and radial loads. As previously illustrated, centrifugal pumps cannot run dry, so they need protection from this condition or the addition of special seals. However, all of these upgrades still cannot totally protect against a catastrophic failure.
THE SOLUTION
While centrifugal pumps—despite their popularity—have proven to not be the most effective solution in many liquid-handling applications in mining, one pump technology that has proven to be an optimum choice is AODD—in terms of maximizing reliability, cost-effectiveness, ease of operation and maintenance, and safety for mining personnel and the environment.
AODD pumps are able to perform effectively in mining applications because their method of operation allows them to easily handle variable flow rates and pressures, while being dry-run and line-stripping capable, and nimble enough to transfer liquids that are shear-sensitive or high-viscosity, as well as slurries laden with rocks, pebbles, and other particulates.
The simple design of the AODD pump features few moving parts and comparably lower speeds than other pump technologies, which improves reliability and simplifies maintenance, while the pump’s seal-less construction results in fewer leaks, which is a critical consideration when handling the many hard-to-seal, corrosive, or hazardous liquids that are prevalent in a mining operation. AODD pumps are available in both metal (most commonly aluminum, ductile iron and cast iron) and plastic (polypropylene and PVDF) housing constructions, while a wide array of elastomers can be used in the diaphragms, which eliminates many chemical-compatibility concerns.
A wide variety of AODD pump configurations provide operational flexibility that can also result in optimized performance at many levels. The ability to feature AODD pumps in a wide range of applications, from basic general use to delicate chemical-handling processes, allows operators to more cost-effectively outfit their mines. AODD pumps can also be less costly to operate, especially those models that are outfitted with a next-generation mechanically actuated air distribution system (ADS). At their most basic, AODD pumps excel in the typical rugged and harsh operating conditions found in the world’s mines, which reduces breakdown incidents along with corresponding downtime and repair costs.
Specifically, Wilden, whose founder, Jim Wilden, conceived the AODD pumping principle sixty-five years ago, has been dedicated to developing technologies that meet the needs of mining operations. Today, Wilden offers three AODD pump models that are built to excel in mining applications, available in ductile iron, cast iron, aluminum, polypropylene and Kynar materials of construction:
Brahma® Series: The Brahma pumps, which feature a bolted configuration, have been built for use in applications that require the handling of liquids featuring large solids. The Brahma pumps have a unique top-inlet/bottom-discharge flow orientation and flap valves that allow the passage of large solids with no risk that damage will occur as a result of product entrapment or the settling of solids within the pump’s internal flow paths. Brahma pumps are available in two models—PS810 (2-inch) and PS1510 (3-inch)—that are outfitted with the revolutionary Pro-Flo® SHIFT ADS, which has been designed to reduce air consumption by up to 60 percent. The T810 and T1510 models are powered by the Turbo-Flo™ ADS, the industry’s first air motor for AODD pumps. The flow-rate range for the four Brahma pumps is 166 to 258 gallons per minute at pressures up to 125 psi with solids-handling capability ranging from 2 to 3 inches.
Stallion® Series: The Stallion pumps feature a clamped design with carrying handles for lightweight portability. Their design features large internal clearances and flow-through paths for easy passage of large solids with no chance for clogging. An altered ball/seat check-valve assembly further enables solids passage, while a polyurethane screen base at the inlet increases the pump’s durability. The PS4, PS8, and PS15 (1.5-, 2-, and 3-inch) models are powered by a Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS, with the T4, T8, and T15 (1.5-, 2-, and 3-inch) pumps featuring the Turbo-Flo ADS, Wilden’s most robust ADS design for the toughest environments. Flow rates amongst the six models range from 57 gallons per minute to 232 gallons per minute at working pressures up to 125 psi. Solids sizes that can be handled range from 1/2 to 1 inch.
Pro-Flo SHIFT Series: Pro-Flo SHIFT pumps feature clamped or bolted configuration. Their design features different chamber materials, including metal and plastics, even Kynar, which is capable of handling high levels of abrasive materials. The Pro-Flo SHIFT is also the most efficient AODD pump in the market, capable of reducing up to 60 percent air consumption. This makes it the best option for handling corrosive and abrasive products in mining processes. The pumps have a product range that goes from 1.5 to 3 inches and flows from 2 to 271 gallons per minute.
All of the Brahma, Stallion, and Pro-Flo SHIFT pumps are able to be outfitted with a wide array of diaphragm styles—including the newer Chem-Fuse, EZ-Install, and Reduced-Stroke models—in a varying array of materials, such as Wil-Flex™ (Santoprene®), Geolast®, Polyurethane, Buna-N®, EPDM, Neoprene, FKM, and PTFE. This diaphragm range gives users the widest selection of diaphragms on the market, all of which are capable of providing extended mean time between failure (MTBF) for optimized uptime with reduced maintenance, repair, and replacement costs.
All of these capabilities make AODD pumps the ideal choice for the aforementioned common liquid-handling applications in mining: dewatering, general service, corrosive-handling, filter press, and daily product transfer.
CONCLUSION
In summary, Wilden AODD pumps are the best option for mining applications because they offer considerable operational advantages, like comparable low-speed operation, dry-run, line-stripping, self-priming, and deadhead capability, along with increased operational safety and a reduction in maintenance/repair costs that can be incurred by pumps that are not designed to handle abrasive/corrosive or solid-laden liquids.
Wilden AODD pumps also outperform other AODD technologies in other significant ways: simple design with the lowest number of parts for faster, simpler, and safer repairs and the lowest number of spare parts to stock; recent improvements in materials of construction that increase the pump’s MTBF; and improved efficiency through the use of the Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS, which ultimately results in faster product transfer with lower air consumption. Wilden also continues to innovate through the development of the next-generation Chem-Fuse and EZ-Install diaphragms, both of which increase service life and safety while not compromising the handling of challenging liquids.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Fernando Meneses is the regional manager North Latin America for Wilden, a leading manufacturer of air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps. He can be reached at fernando.meneses@psgdover.com. Wilden is a product brand of PSG®, a Dover company. PSG is comprised of several leading pump companies, including Abaque®, All-Flo™, Almatec®, Blackmer®, Ebsray, em-tec®, Griswold®, Hydro™, Mouvex®, Neptune®, Quantex™, Quattroflow®, RedScrew™, and Wilden®. For more information, visit www.wildenpump.com or www.psgdover.com.
ANDRITZ will be presenting its range of separation technologies and services for powder and bulk solids and its automation solutions at the POWTECH fair in Nuremberg from 9-11 April.
One of the company’s latest technologies is its pneumatic discharge system for Krauss-Maffei peeler centrifuges, which eliminates the need for gravity discharge. Krauss-Maffei peeler centrifuges are batch-operated filtration centrifuges that are known for reliable performance at high capacities.
With the pneumatic discharge solution, a peeled product is transported out of the centrifuge, immediately removing product particles and dust. The company says this results in increased yield with a high filtration performance, a decrease in product losses, and minimal maintenance. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a full-size PUREVO pharma peeler centrifuge fitted with this new pneumatic discharge system and learn about its benefits when applied in bulk chemicals, fine chemicals, and many other applications.
Andritz will also showcase its Metris addIQ control system, whichenables customers to analyse and optimise industrial production processes. In addition, visitors can find out about Industry 4.0 solutions for food production and hear about an intelligent filter press in a presentation by an Andritz specialist.
Weir Minerals has launched the latest edition in its range of Warman centrifugal pumps, the DWU dewatering pump, to the European market.
The pump is designed to deliver increased efficiency where water needs to be lifted over greater heights – a common requirement in both open and underground mines – and the unit delivers efficient operation at heads of up to 140 m.
Four different sizes are available, with outlet diameters of 75 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm and 200 mm and around 50% of the parts used in the new design are interchangeable with Weir Minerals’ popular slurry pump, the Warman WBH, to help clients simplify spare parts ordering and holding.
Weir Minerals’ engineers have designed a new, double-volute casing which reduces radial load and is capable of maintaining internal pressures of up to 7,000 kPa, allowing the pumps to be configured in series to deliver even greater head heights.
Steve Sedgwick, the Weir Minerals Europe product manager for mine dewatering, said: “The dewatering system is a crucial part of almost every mining operation around the globe, and we’re committed to ensuring that our range of dewatering pumps is broad enough to deliver optimum efficiency, whatever the requirements.
After two years of hard work, Pioneer Pump’s engineering department has launched its new 30 in (450mm) centrifugal, self-priming pump.
Mounted onto a Caterpillar C27 engine, the new 30 in twin vacuum pump is capable of producing a maximum flow of just under 10,000m³/hr and lifting a maximum suction lift of 5 m.
Pioneer Pump designs and manufactures vacuum-assisted, self-priming pumps, as well as wet self-priming pumps and end suction, centrifugal pumps. With these pumps, the company is capable of packaging pumpsets up to 575 kW (700 HP) in both engine-driven and electric motor packages.
The company has its own in-house design team that is led by a specialist chief engineer who has designed all Pioneer’s fluid ends along a common theme of high efficiency and low cost ownership.
Integrating its growing range of products into engineered-to-order (ETO) solutions is increasingly a way of life at Weir Minerals. The recent launch of its dredge-mounted Multiflo® Mudflo™ pump shows how effective this approach can be, and how much it can contribute to customers’ bottom lines.
Media release – 01-08-2022
WEIR MINERALS INTEGRATES KEY BRANDS IN MUDFLOW™ PUMP
Integrated solutions are what separates equipment suppliers from solution providers, argues Marnus Koorts, general manager pump products at Weir Minerals Africa – and the recently launched Multiflo® Mudflo™ pump shows how this is done.
This dredge/excavator-mounted, mud-pumping innovation was launched last year, after being developed in response to a challenge which a customer faced, says Koorts. It is a heavy duty hydraulic submersible slurry pump designed for abrasive applications and large particle handling. Its application is primarily in reprocessing and relocating tailings ponds, maintaining water retention dams and managing slimes and sludge ponds.
“The Multiflo Mudflo pump successfully combines elements of the Warman MGS submersible slurry pump-end, and a custom Multiflo designed bearing assembly coupled to a hydraulic motor,” he says. “Another key ingredient is the pairing of twin Multiflo CB33 hydraulic cutters with Weir ESCO excavation teeth.”
The cutters mechanically agitate the settled solids, allowing abrasive and highly charged slurries and mud to be efficiently pumped. He emphasises that the components making up the Multiflo® Mudflo™ pump are drawn from Weir Minerals proven brands, and are carefully combined to produce an integrated solution that saves customers time and money. It also reduces environmental impact, by avoiding the costly and energy-intensive process excavating and trucking the material off site.
“The pump design includes Weir Minerals’ Ultrachrome A05 chrome alloy casting for high wear resistance,” he says. “There is also a suction strainer to prevent excessively large particles clogging the pump.”
This ensures that the unit delivers optimal uptime alongside high performance levels: the Mudflo™ 200 pump is capable of pumping between 150 m3/h and 1,200 m3/h, up to a head of 82 metres. The pump can handle a maximum particle size of 80 mm, and a maximum liquid temperature of 35°C.
“While our integration of products has grown organically over the years, it has become more systematic and deliberate as our product range has grown and become more diverse,” says Koorts. “The way we have developed this solution shows the progress in recent years toward integrating our product lines to add value to our offerings.”
He notes that the process of ETO ensures that solutions developed by Weir Minerals’ engineering teams deliver more value than the sum of their component parts. In this case, the company’s dewatering experts were able to draw on the best technology from Weir Minerals’ Multiflo®, Warman® and Weir ESCO® brands – combining them with advanced hydraulics to create an innovative result.
“Our extensive footprint in the field and our close collaboration with customers on a daily basis gives us a detailed understanding of their specific requirements,” he says. “We can therefore ensure that our innovations are fit for purpose, being based on our considerable ETO capability and technical excellence.”
CAPTIONS
PIC 01 : Marnus Koorts, general manager pump products at Weir Minerals Africa.
PIC 02 : The Multiflo Mudflo TM pump and dredge unit.
PIC 03 : The Multiflo Mudflo pump has been engineered for abrasive applications.
IPR recently provided a pump dewatering solution to a repeat customer, and then undertook the complete rebuild of a damaged pump set. Henru Strydom, operations manager at IPR, says that dealing with a pump rental company that has the expertise and capability to undertake a complete pump overhaul was a major advantage for this manufacturing sector customer.
MEDIA RELEASE – 16-08-2022
IPR OVERHAULS PUMP FOR CUSTOMER IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Dealing with a pump rental company that has the expertise and capability to undertake a complete pump overhaul proved to be a major advantage for a customer in the manufacturing sector recently.
Having had previous pump rental experience with IPR, this customer requested urgent assistance when the pump it was using for water transfer at its operation became problematic.
“Not only were we able to provide a rapid pump dewatering rental solution to this customer,” says Henru Strydom operations manager at IPR, “we were also able to undertake the complete overhaul of the pump ensuring it was back in operation within a relatively short period of time.”
Years of operation transferring water from one dam to another had taken it toll on the pump that was in use at the customer facility, and such is its manufacturing operation that it could not be without a dewatering pump. IPR’s team were contacted for a rental pump set and were able to deliver more than just that to its customer.
Strydom says that the damaged pump was removed from site and replaced with a rental unit. On further inspection at the company’s comprehensively equipped facility, the IPR team found that the damage was both mechanical and electrical, and that a complete rebuild of the pump set would be essential to ensure reliable operation going forward.
The pump set was completely stripped, and individual components assessed prior to the final decision on what work would need to be done. The final overhaul saw all bearings replaced due to excessive wear and a new engine wiring harness replace the old one which was damaged after short-circuiting. Other damaged components replaced including the control panel.
Following this work, the pump set components were spray painted in IPR’s in-house spray booth, and then the pump was subjected to final quality control inspections prior to it being tested in the company’s test tank. “Doing this gives our customer full assurance that the rebuilt pump set is capable of meetings its rated flow of 90 litres per second at a maximum head of 25 metres,” Strydom says.
This is not the first full pump rebuild that IPR has done, and Strydom explains that having an in-depth understanding of pump applications and operations is an advantage especially when overhauling pump sets. “The level of trust that many of our customers have in IPR has seen this sector of our business expand exponentially and we anticipate that it will consider doing so.”
CAPTIONS
OVERHAUL PIC 01 : IPR recently undertook the complete rebuild of a damaged pump set for a repeat customer.
OVRHAUL PIC 02 : IPR maintains having an in-depth understanding of pump applications and operations is an advantage especially when overhauling pump sets.
OVERHAUL PIC 03 : A complete rebuild of the pump set ensured reliable operation going forward for this IPR customer.
OVERHAUL PIC 04 : The completely overhauled pump set which IPR undertook for a repeat customer in the manufacturing sector.
Dewatering and dredging specialist Integrated Pump Rental has come a long way since launching in 2015, so its rebranding as IPR is not a moment too soon. Managing director Lee Vine highlights how IPR now also sells new products and engineers custom solutions. The company’s flexibility and responsiveness, however, remains as its strategic focus.
MEDIA RELEASE – 12-09-2022
IPR RAISED REBRANDED FLAG AT ELECTRA MINING 2022
After seven successful years of growth and evolution, pumping specialist Integrated Pump Rental has rebranding as IPR.
Announcing the rebranding at the popular Electra Mining Africa 2022 show in Johannesburg, IPR managing director Lee Vine says the fresh new look reflects the company’s expanded range of offerings. It has made a solid name for itself as a rental operation in dewatering and dredging – having significantly grown its rental fleet over the years.
This rental success has led to a move towards selling pump solutions where this made sense to the customer’s particular operating conditions. By prioritising the total cost of ownership, IPR is able to offer the most cost effective choice between renting and purchasing.
“In responding to customer needs, we have also naturally evolved into the manufacture of custom pump sets for specific applications,” says Vine. “With our extensive experience and engineering expertise, this was a logical step which our new brand can now embrace.”
He emphasises that IPR boasts the same expert team that customers have relied upon, and continues to deliver their well-known standards of service excellence. As the sole agent in southern Africa for Sykes diesel-driven pump sets, IPR also deals with various global pump brands including Grindex, Flygt, Godwin and Atlas Copco.
“Among the products that we have developed locally – to great acclaim in the local market – are the SlurrySucker and SlurryBlaster,” he says. “These are designed for dredging silted-up ponds and for removing accumulation of slurry and sediments on dam walls and inside dams.”
He credits hard work from the IPR team as the force behind becoming synonymous with pump dewatering and dredging solutions across industries, especially in challenging conditions. Existing customers as well as the broader marketplace today recognise the company as IPR, so it was appropriate to update its branding and launch a new look.
The vision, he explains, continues to be aimed at becoming the leading pump dewatering and dredging specialist – with a focus on assisting customers to reduce their total cost of ownership.
“Our ability to be agile and flexible is underpinned by our in-depth understanding that these pumping applications need quick and dependable solutions,” says Vine. “This has always been what we are all about, and this remains IPR’s commitment to the market.”
CAPTIONS
IPR PIC 01 : After seven successful years of growth and evolution, pumping specialist Integrated Pump Rental has rebranding as IPR.
IPR PIC 02 : The rebranding from Integrated Pump Rental to IPR was announced at Electra Mining Africa 2022.
IPR PIC 03 : IPR launched its fresh new look at Electra Mining Africa 2022.
IPR PIC 04 : IPR showcased both its new logo and its products at Electra Mining Africa 2022.
IPR PIC 05 : The name IPR is synonymous with pump dewatering and dredging solutions across industries.
IPR PIC 06 : A view of the SlurrySucker with accessories including pump flotation devices.
IPR PIC 07 : IPR successfully launched its rebranding at Electra Mining Africa 2022.
The UN has declared 2022 the “International Year of Glass”. This puts even more focus on production conditions in the energy-intensive glass industry, and efficient technologies along the entire value chain are particularly in demand. Vacuum technology also has a major influence on sustainability in glass production – because stable vacuum is needed in many processes. Atlas Copco specializes in providing energy-efficient, intelligent, and sustainable vacuum solutions to manufacturers worldwide. They have supplied the German glass producer Noelle + von Campe with three GHS 4600 VSD+ screw vacuum pumps. The Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series of vacuum pumps are a range of highly efficient, intelligent vacuum pumps with Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology.
Individual glass packaging for bottling companies Noelle + von Campe produces individual glass packaging for bottling companies. The individualized bottles and jars are given their shape and the final touch using vacuum technology. The final touch includes adding a customer’s logo or name. When shaping the glass, better embossing of the logo or any lettering is achieved if the trapped air between the glass mold and the actual glass has been removed as best as possible. With an output of 650 million jars per year, the right vacuum system is an important element for the efficiency of the entire plant for Noelle + von Campe. Atlas Copco, with its application expertise and experience in supplying vacuum pumps to the glass industry, knows the exact requirements of the market. They have a long history in partnering with glass manufacturers. Their solutions and installations are made to measure for each individual customer. This was one of the reasons Noelle + von Campe chose Atlas Copco’s GHS VSD+ oil-injected screw vacuum pumps for their production facility.
Energy savings with Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology The use of vacuum technology alone saves a lot of energy: the same production result could also be achieved with compressed air but would consume more energy. With its innovative motor concept for glass production, the Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series is one of the most energy-efficient oil-lubricated vacuum pumps on the market: with the VSD variable speed control, the screw pumps can be adapted precisely and quickly to the respective vacuum requirement. Variable speed and the set point control offers optimum vacuum levels. The GHS VSD+ vacuum pumps installed at Noelle + von Campe have saved around 27% in energy costs.
Increased stability in the vacuum supply The reduced energy consumption isn’t the only advantage of the GHS VSD+ vacuum solution. The entire vacuum supply at Noelle + von Campe is now more stable than before. „When we change tools or adapt our processes, for example, the new central vacuum system continues to reliably supply our entire production“ reports Timo Scherf, the Head of Maintenance Plant 1 at Noelle + von Campe. „This was an important factor for us, because the reliable, uninterrupted vacuum supply in turn has a direct effect on the quality of our end products. And when it comes to the quality of our jars and bottles, neither we nor our customers make any compromises“, Timo Scherf emphasizes.
Significantly faster amortization According to Atlas Copco sales engineer Oliver Heitjohann, further cost reductions are generated by the ES central control: „The intelligent system coordinates the use of the vacuum pumps with each other – this saves even more costs, also for maintenance and electricity. A big advantage: the customers also achieve significantly faster amortization“. The ES16 central controller can monitor and control multiple GHS VSD+ vacuum pumps simultaneously. The smart control system balances and optimizes the performance of all machines, reducing the overall energy consumption. Compared to competitor products, the intervals between maintenance are also longer. Other note-worthy features of the GHS 4600 VSD+ vacuum pump is its low noise level, space-saving design and the fact that the pumps are supplied in a single, compact housing. The installation is plug & play and is correspondingly uncomplicated.
More for less The Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ oil-sealed screw vacuum pump series thus put the finishing touches not only to the products but also to the production process. This is where Atlas Copco’s extensive experience in working with glass manufacturers pays off. That is why Atlas Copco also customized the piping of the vacuum pumps. Atlas Copco is thus, as it were, a one-stop shop for glass manufacturers – from the pump to the connection systems. And so, on balance, Noelle + von Campe gets more for less: more vacuum, more control and more stability for less energy consumption and less effort.
Best regards
Oliver Schulz on behalf of Atlas Copco Vacuum Technique ————————————- PR Schulz Oliver Schulz Dipl.-Kfm. Neuenbaumer Str.34 41470 Neuss E-mail: info@pr-schulz.de www.pr-schulz.de
