Local manufacturer Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa, the South African division of global pumps manufacturer Goodwin International, officially launched its new submersible offering, the Goodwin SlurryChamp hydraulic submersible pump, at this year’s Electra Mining Africa 2022 expo.

The expo was held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, Gauteng, from September 5 to 9.

“The SlurryChamp will initially be available in South Africa but will be rolled out across the African continent this month,” says Goodwin Pumps marketing director Rui Gomes.

The SlurryChamp was targeted at the mining sector for applications such as ash removal or cleaning, silt removal, dry-dock cleaning or general spillage cleanup.

However, its applications span multiple industries, as the pump can be used in remote areas where electricity supply is limited or nonexistent.

“The pump can also be used as an add-on accessory for large excavator operators,” Gomes says.

SlurryChamp pumps are available in two configurations – the standard pump, powered by a traditional hydraulic powerpack, suitable for fixed installations normally suspended in slurry, and the excavator-mounted version, which is suitable for mobile use such as dredging.

The SlurryChamp pump will typically be able to handle heavy slurries of up to 2.8 kg/ℓ, 65% by weight and pass a maximum particle size of 32 mm.

It is also capable of delivering 230 m3/h, has a maximum head of 38 m and can pump substances with a maximum temperature of 90 ºC.

The SlurryChamp was developed with a twin volute, inducer, open-vane impeller and nonpressurised mechanical seal.

The pump’s design has been based on the Goodwin ANZE submersible slurry pump; consequently, the wet end design has a proven history of being reliable and long-lasting when pumping slurry.

A minor challenge was initially encountered with the design in terms of hydraulic compatibility, especially because Goodwin wanted a unit that met “as many global needs as possible”.

This problem was mitigated through “a little trial and error”, and Goodwin’s knowledgeable and experienced technicians, Gomes adds.

“The SlurryChamp is, therefore, ideally suited to the harshest environments, is portable and does not rely on the supply of electricity.”

Being able to relocate and reuse the SlurryChamp makes it a convenient, adaptable and significant piece of equipment for remote operations and/or for clients with more than one operation, he notes.

“Goodwin wanted to make the SlurryChamp exceed the high expectations that are usually met by the ANZE, and we believe we have done so successfully,” he concludes.