Sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco is developing and extending its PAS, VAR and WEDA pumps ranges to include high-head variants that will better service the requirements of opencast mining customers, says Atlas Copco portable energy division business line manager David Stanford.

“Our first focus, of course, is on providing a reliable energy source to our customers within our chosen markets and segments. “The mining segment, among others, requires a higher-head variant than the general dewatering market. We, therefore, decided to offer a reliable solution to satisfy our customers’ requirements,” he explains.

The WEDA electrical submersible dewatering pump range, he notes, has been part of Atlas Copco’s portable energy division’s portfolio for several years.

“The recently launched WEDA50+ and WEDA60+SH models – which are super high head – show the improvements in performance characterisitcs from our ongoing product development and innovation activities,” Stanford explains, noting that the new hydraulic end of the WEDA60+SH has improved the pump head available by up to 69 m, at a flow rate of 1020 ℓ/min and power input of 7.5 kW.

He adds that the company has also improved its solid handling capability by 25%, by introducing a nonclogging open impeller centrifugal design, which is all in a low weight variant of below 60 kg.

Stanford adds that, during the course of 2017, a number of new higher-head variants will be introduced into our dewatering range.

“This addition to our product range will increasingly assist our customers in the opencast mining segment with products that are efficient, lightweight and easy to take to your point of work,” he explains to Mining Weekly, emphasising that the development of the PAS, VAR and WEDA ranges are centred on vital information gained through Atlas Copco’s close working relationship with its global construction and mining customers.

Development of the PAS diesel- driven, ‘dry prime’ dewatering pumps range started in 2016, with the product being launched in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The PAS/VAR diesel-driven dewatering pumps cover a flow range of 833 ℓ/min to 9 833ℓ/min and are currently available in four-, six- and eight-inch inlet/outlet sizes.

The modular design of the PAS and VAR ranges, Stanford says, allows for multiple configurations to meet various applications, from the dewatering of construction and mining sites; the drainage of reservoirs, canals or ponds; solids removal and sewage bypass to naval platform ballasting and the tackling of emergency situations such as flooding.

“We put a huge amount of focus on making products that are smaller and lighter and easy to transport from one point of work to another,” Stanford notes, with the company goal of being “easy to service” demonstrated in the new WEDA50+ and the WEDA60+SH electrical submersible models that use the company’s Instant Service Pack approach. “Both these models were launched in April.

“High-performance, class-leading fuel and electrical efficiency, as well as complete portability, underpin the portable energy division’s dewatering pumps range,” he states.