At Electra Mining Africa 2026, Steinmüller Africa (SMA) will unveil a Water System Model that will place one of industry's most overlooked reliability factors on centre stage: how feedwater and deaerator systems protect critical boiler infrastructure. The model shows how water is treated, stored, preheated and prepared before entering a boiler. 

By removing dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, these systems help reduce corrosion, thermal shock, unplanned maintenance and downtime. For mining, power-generation and heavy-industrial operations, effective water treatment is a critical starting point for reliable plant performance. 

“Reliability is built through engineering decisions that are often not visible in day-to-day operations,” says Rajan Murugan, Drawing Office Supervisor, Steinmüller Africa. “From boiler feedwater and inspection quality to weld integrity, every element plays a role in protecting performance over the life of an asset.” 

From water systems to digital asset intelligence 

The Water System Model forms part of a wider technology showcase that includes the Elios 3  inspection drone, a 3D scanner and a 3D scanning arm. 

These technologies support safer access to difficult, confined and hazardous areas while improving data capture for maintenance planning and asset-management decisions. The Elios 3 can collect visual, thermal and spatial information in complex environments, helping teams identify deterioration, improve maintenance planning and develop detailed digital representations of critical assets.

The company will also display its SMA Heat Exchanger Model and submerged arc welded samples, demonstrating capability across heat-transfer systems, fabrication and high-quality welding for demanding industrial applications. 

Innovation where it matters 

Steinmüller Africa's innovation is applied not only through technology on display, but also on complex industrial projects. On a recent boiler erection project for a major South African pulp-and-paper producer, the company used advanced welding and site-support technologies to improve productivity and quality in challenging coastal conditions. 

These included Regulated Metal Deposition welding, laser cleaning for steel preparation, specialised weld-preparation primer and centralised gas-handling systems for multiple welding stations. 

Built for tougher fuel challenges 

Steinmüller Africa will also highlight its work in engineering boiler systems for difficult and variable fuels, including duff coal – a low-grade, fine coal by-product. These projects require an integrated approach to fuel preparation, combustion, emissions, ash handling and long-term maintenance, with reliability designed around changing operating conditions. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with specialists across Steinmüller Africa’s engineering, fabrication, quality and proposals divisions on plant reliability, maintenance strategies, inspection technologies and practical industrial solutions

Visit Steinmüller Africa at Electra Mining Africa 2026, from 7 to 11 September 2026, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. Find the team in Hall 5, Stand C29.