Vertical pump with horizontal hydraulics: a hybrid from ROITECH
ROITECH has manufactured eight slurry pumps for one of the world’s largest phosphate rock producers as part of a dewatering site upgrade project. Four pumps are made in a special configuration adapted to the requirements of the technological process.
The delivery will include:
- RT-AH 14/12 ST – Heavy Duty Horizontal Pumps
- RT-M 10/8 F – horizontal pumps for operation at an average concentration of solid in the pulp;
- The VSD 200 TV is a specialized solution for drainage systems.
The VSD 200 TV pumps are an example of an unconventional engineering approach: the equipment combines the advantages of a vertical design with the hydraulic characteristics of a horizontal slurry pump.
Challenge: High Head in a Limited Layout
The dewatering area required a vertical semi-submersible pump with a head of about 42 meters. Commercial vertical pumps do not provide such head characteristics, and the use of a standard horizontal pump is not possible under the conditions of the existing layout.
Solution: A combination of the two series
The solution was a combination of equipment: the hydraulic part of the RT-AH horizontal pump was adapted for vertical design based on the RT-SP series bearing unit.
This allows the pump to operate in the sump as a vertical pump, while providing the head and performance parameters typical of horizontal slurry pumps.
In addition, the pumps are equipped with agitators that prevent the deposition of solids and allow the useful sump volume to be maintained.
Expertise at the heart of the
Such a design requires serious technical study and production expertise: it is necessary to ensure the joint operation of the horizontal flow part and the vertical bearing unit, take into account the operating modes of the equipment and eliminate vibrations along the length of the string.
ROITECH was able to implement the equipment taking into account all the requirements of the process and operating conditions.
History of cooperation
This is the third time that ROITECH pumps have been manufactured for this customer.
In 2022, ROITECH equipment appeared at the plant for the first time – in the form of RT-MCU 250 and RT-AH 12/10 pumps for one new ball mill and two standby operating mills.
In 2023 ROITECH has manufactured 20 RT-LF and RT-AHF series froth pumps.
Customizing equipment for the technological process and real operating conditions allows ROITECH to solve problems where the capabilities of serial solutions are not enough. Repeated visits to ROITECH equipment confirm trust and create the basis for long-term cooperation.
ROITECH flow technologies are complete solutions for the transportation and management of flows in mining and processing plants. The portfolio includes:
- Slurry pumps for various stages of processing (including vortex solutions for gentle pumping)
- water pumps for water supply and sewerage systems;
- shut-off and control valves for control of technological flows.
The equipment covers a wide range of operating parameters (capacity – from 5 to 20,000 m³/h, head – up to 2000 m) and is made of materials resistant to abrasive and chemical wear – from high-chromium cast irons to rubbers and elastomers.
At present, more than 2.5 thousand slurry pumps, more than 650 water pumps and more than 8 thousand units of shut-off and control valves have been produced in Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
ROITECH’s expertise covers the beneficiation of gold, iron, copper, nickel, phosphates, potassium, kimberlite, coal and zinc.
