Pump & Abrasion Technologies is a global OEM consisting of pump system specialists, focused primarily on supplying impact-reducing slurry pumps, as well as dewatering pumps and submersible pumps into the mining industry. This is supported by 24/7 breakdown and engineering support, high stock levels, recons, application engineers for on-site technical support and a highly skilled project team.

Pump & Abrasion Technologies’ South Africa and Africa GM Shawn Donly mentions that the mining industry can be slow to change. Nowhere is this better evidenced than in the slurry pump market, where there have been very few technological improvements over the last 50+ years. However, with their Curve S and C flagship range of impact-reducing products launching in 2016 they brought some much-needed innovation to the slurry pump market.

Tested in the harshest environments on the planet, their Curve C & Curve S range of slurry pumps remain unrivalled with even the most abrasive materials. As pump system specialists, they address problems wherever they occur in their clients’ pumping systems. They’ve also created a range of additional pump system solutions, further improving efficiency, reducing downtime and TOC

James Pienaar, Pump & Abrasion Technologies’ global product specialist goes on to say that Pump & Abrasion’s products always need to be able to add value to their clients' operations.

He says, “All products are designed to ensure that they are impact reducing and with that in mind and coupled with our unrivalled service excellence, the client will have a product that truly enhances their everyday operations.” The additional enhancements Pump & Abrasion Technologies focuses on apart from better efficiency, reduced downtime and lower TOC are safety, lower power usage, synchronised maintenance shuts and lower investment in stock holding on site.

As innovators, Pump & Abrasion Technologies is passionate about improving performance and they knew that they could get more out of current old technology slurry pumps: More life, more efficiency, better sealing and lower operating costs. Yet, they didn't want to stop there. They wanted these improvements to require zero capital, zero on-site training and no modifications to existing pipework.

After years of R&D, they have achieved exactly that by launching their brand new, 21st century technology: The Curve Black Widow.

The Curve Black Widow is an umbrella of technology that has been packaged as High Performance Kits. Pienaar explains that these kits have been designed to improve your existing old technology slurry pump to revolutionary new slurry pump technology, whilst only replacing minimal parts at zero additional cost. These kits are similar to how you would upgrade your vehicle performance by installing a chip to enhance performance and fuel efficiency

“It adds value to our clients and ensures they have slurry pumps that are relevant to current day technology,” James says.

Pump & Abrasion identified the following problems and inefficiencies on the old technology slurry pumps:

• Recirculation - which leads to inefficient pumping.
• Poor Hydraulic Flow Profile - inefficient curvature on the main blade creating vortices and inducing wear, as well as an unsafe intake joint.
• Impeller Setting Limitations - with the existing old tech you need to either choose to set the impeller backward to get better sealing or pushing it forward to improve the effects of recirculation.
• More Flow - the historical design does not allow for any upgrade in flow and head with the current impeller.
• Sealing Arrangement - inferior material used for components.

Currently Pump & Abrasion Technologies have 3 HPK’s available: HPK 1, HPK 1+ and HPK 2. Pienaar goes on to explain how exactly the Curve Black Widow HPK (High Performance Kits) add value to the clients’ existing slurry pump technology:

HPK 1 consists of an impeller, throatbush, cover plate and suction flange cover. This upgrade kit includes our patented axial seal technology that will minimise recirculation. It also offers the client lower operating costs, improved hydraulic profile, optimised efficiency and same head and flow as the existing slurry pump.”

HPK 1+ consists of the same parts as HPK 1,  but it has a larger impeller. It will give you the same benefits of HPK1, however it can give you a higher head and flow at the same speed as the existing pump. In addition, it has the ability to run the pump slower to achieve the same duty point decreasing the wear even further.

HPK 2 focuses on the sealing arrangement and consists of a neck ring, lantern ring, ultra high speck packing, shaft sleeve and shaft spacer. The HPK 2 kit is an upgrade from inferior old technology material to 27% chrome white cast iron.”

When asked about their economic activity after the impact of Covid-19, Shawn mentions that customers have collectively been more vigorous in terms of their production and willingness to expand their existing operations. “We have also seen an uptick in new greenfields project enquiries across the commodities and geographies we service. We believe that the ability of our products to generate significant total ownership cost savings, makes us an attractive partner in both good times and bad.”

He does say that, like everyone else in the sector, Pump & Abrasion is monitoring the negative forces that are swirling both locally and internationally. Shawn believes the Curve Black Widow is the perfect solution to these negative forces and the tough economic times.

When looking to the future, Shawn says that Pump & Abrasion will continue to invest for growth in their existing operations. In addition, they will continue to expand their presence in the Middle East and Africa regions, in a very targeted way. “We made some important strategic decisions in these areas at the end of last year and this year will be about cementing these to achieve the objectives we have set.”

From a product perspective, Pump & Abrasion Technologies is very focused on strengthening their Curve Black Widow umbrella of technology in the market. They believe there is no better way for them to grow as a business, than by looking for ways to save their customers money and to provide unrivalled service. The Curve Black Widow achieves this in a very effective way.

"Operationally, we are always looking at ways of further securing our supply chain. This will ensure we can better meet the demands of our customers' delivery times and keep costs down. This will be a significant focus for us over the next 12 months, as we identify opportunities to extend our supply chain vertically," Shawn says.

The mining industry no longer needs to accept the performance of outdated slurry pumps. Donly adds that with the Curve Black Widow, “More is Possible.”  With Pump & Abrasion Technologies’ revolutionary, 21st century technology you can now get more without spending more, by simply upgrading your old technology slurry pumps to the Curve Black Widow.

It’s New Tech, For Your Old Tech.

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