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Rental generators bridging solution for African mines

25th August 2017

By: Robyn Wilkinson

Features Reporter

     

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Energy solutions provider Aksa Power Generation expects a high demand in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, for its new range of generators, as the mining industry begins to show signs of recovery and companies look to expand their operations in remote areas.

The generators are offered by the company’s rental division Aksa Global Rental Power (AGRP) and are ideal for companies in the African mining industry seeking robust and rapid bridging power solutions, says Aksa Power Generation South Africa GM Erkin Tekel.

Introduced in January, the new rental fleet is assembled at Aksa’s production facility in China, with the company already having 60 MW of stock ready to be shipped from its Dubai warehouse. Headquartered in Turkey, the company also has branches worldwide, including in Johannesburg. The company also has production facilities in Turkey and the US.

Tekel notes that mines are energy intensive and often located in remote areas, with minimal or no infrastructure, requiring a substantial initial investment and significant time to establish a power source before operations can start.

“AGRP’s new medium- and long-term rental fleet is well stocked and designed to operate in harsh conditions, providing the ideal interim solution, while mines implement a more permanent solution.”

AGRP leases diesel-powered generators, from 1 MW to 1 000 MW, on a fast-track basis to any location in the world, with contracts varying according to the duration of use. The company’s newest rental generator range offers a plug-and-play solution, with easy synchronisation features that enable AGRP to easily size the equipment to meet each client’s specific power needs. The generators offer prime power capacities from 66 kVA to 500 kVA for smaller applications and 1 MW of prime power for heavy industry applications.

The smaller capacity generators feature a heavy-duty diesel engine from manufacturer Perkins, while the 1 MW solution is fitted with a Cummins KTA50G3 engine. All generators offer quick start and high torque features, as well as a 24 V direct current starter and a charge alternator. In addition, the engines have a replaceable fuel filter, an oil filter and dry element air filter, a cooling radiator and fan, a starter battery, flexible fuel connection hoses, a manual oil sump drain valve and a jacket water heater. Fuel water separators can also be installed at the client’s request.

The interior of the generator features high-quality, flame- and soundproof rubber and plastic to reduce noise pollution and eliminate fire risks. The door is, moreover, airproof, and is lined with rubber to absorb additional noise and heat generated during operation. A critical silencer further reduces noise.

Meanwhile, a bunded base fuel tank – which can house all fluids, including fuel, oil and coolant – can operate uninterruptedly for up to 24 hours and, with a low running temperature, the radiator is designed to withstand the high ambient temperatures in Africa.

A robust housing structure provides protection for the tank’s electrical components, while a detachable bumper provides a buffer when the generator is moved around on site. Antivibration features also limit the movement of the generators during operation, reducing the risk of damage. All external fittings comprise powder-coated stainless steel to ensure the long wear life of locks and hinges.

Tekel highlights that the easy operation of the generators is enabled by a fuel port that allows refuelling outside the housing, as well as three-way bypass valves, which facilitate the easy connection of the equipment to an external fuel tank. The power cable port is also designed with customer convenience in mind and is easily accessible from outside the housing.

Further, maintenance activities are simplified through large access doors on either side of the canopy, providing personnel easy access to the components inside the generator’s housing. A service port is also mounted on the fuel tank, making it easy to reach, although forklift holes ensure that fuel tanks can be easily removed, if necessary, for repair. A bolt connection between the fuel tank and base frame further facilitates the easy extraction of the fuel tank, which also has a side drainage outlet to simplify cleaning.

“The generators are also mounted with an output breaker switch, equipped with a leakage protective device and mounted on manual battery switches to ensure the highest levels of operator safety. Emergency stop buttons are also conveniently located on the side of the personnel doors and fully wired to the control and breaker panels.”

A compact controller also provides full remote monitoring and control of the generator, with insulated power cable connections and a fuel-leakage sensor ensuring the safe running of the generator.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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