In 2020 Atlas Copco Power Technique announced the launch of its PAC H centrifugal pumps range, which consists of four models, for high-pressure applications. The pumps have been designed to reduce downtime, prolong the life span of the equipment used in an application and save on operational costs.

The PAC H centrifugal pump can handle liquids containing solids of up to 89 mm in size, making the pump particularly well suited to industrial applications, such as water transfer in the oil and gas sector, applications in construction and at municipalities, as well as sewerage bypass systems, explains Atlas Copco Power Technique Business development manager Sarel Bekker.

In 2015 Atlas Copco’s diesel pumps range was introduced to the market when the company acquired Varisco. The industrial equipment manufacturers’ high head pump range comprises the PAS dry prime pump and the VAR wet prime pump.

The PAS dry prime pumps are engineered to offer high performance in any condition, and feature an air separator unit, a vacuum pump and rapid automatic priming.

He adds that the PAS dry prime pumps reach suction heights of several metres, as the machine rapidly evacuates the air from the suction pipe and starts to pump.

Owing to the semi-open impeller, the pumps are also suitable for pumping liquids with solids in suspensions. The range can pump fluids of 30 m to 150 m from discharge outlets.

“A feature that stands out in terms of the PAS dry prime pump is the hinge door that comes standard, which allows for easy access and servicing. The pump is usually used in mining applications,” he says.

Bekker also points out that the PAS pumps are easy to move around using heavy duty skids. The trailer of the PAS pump is mounted and comes standard with lockable battery boxes and lockable fuel tanks. The pumps also require less repair work than electrical pumps, which the company also offers.

Meanwhile, the VAR wet prime pumps offer a robust and flexible solution for dewatering applications.

The technology allows for simple first prime, owing to its first-water fill-in capabilities. The pumps’ open impeller and solids-handling capabilities make the equipment suitable for medium construction and flood controls.

The VAR wet prime pumps can pump fluids of 25 m to a 60 m from discharge outlets and are more suited to construction applications, notes Bekker.

He highlights that the VAR wet prime pumps are a more affordable option than the PAS dry prime pumps.

Atlas Copco Power Technique uses a rental company that has standardised its high head pumps range for mining and construction projects. The business area has recently had units working in Africa on a diamond mine and units based in countries such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, for quarry dewatering projects.

“Our customers prefer our high head diesel pumps because of the benefits of less downtime and low cost of maintenance. These diesel pumps are also a more convenient and resourceful power supply if there is no electricity on site.”

The choice of pump depends on the nature of the application, which includes aspects such as location, the depth of the access point, the nature of the water or material mix to be pumped and how long the equipment will be used to complete the operation, Bekker concludes.