Four Sundyne LMV311 feed-pump skids, with spare parts, were delivered to South African energy and chemicals producer Sasol’s Secunda complex last month by manufacturer of centrifugal pumps and compressors for the oil, gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, power generation and water processing industries Sundyne.

Delivery to the Secunda site was due in May; however, this deadline was extended to August, owing to pump impeller design changes requested by Sasol after the performance testing had been completed in March, says AESPUMP director Neil Britz.

“The four units are identical small- footprint, integrally gear-driven centrifu- gal pumps, designed and manufactured specifically for chemicals and petrochemi- cals applications in accordance with ISO:13709 and API 610 Edition 10 standards,” he explains.

Britz points out that a single-stage unit enables pump performance that is generally associated with multistage pumps, which is one of the benefits of using Sundyne’s LMV311 feed-pump skids.

“Other benefits include its simple design, with a small vertical inline footprint, and its standard and specifically engineered options that are supplied with worldwide support,” he states.

The pump’s design, Britz adds, offers tailored hydraulics and improvement, with the pump’s best efficiency level at the rated duty point.

“This results in improved efficiency and reduced recirculation vibration, with the added benefit of this being the pump’s reduced end-of-curve power requirements, allowing reduced driver sizing,” he explains.

He notes that after installation, the feed-pump skids at Secunda will be supported and serviced by local pump supplier AESPUMP, Sundyne’s newly appointed channel partner and service provider for its product range throughout South Africa.

“AESPUMP is responsible for the sales, maintenance, repair and technical support of the entire portfolio of Sundyne pumps and compressors throughout the country, in addition to the supply of spare parts,” says Britz.

AESPUMP is an independent company focused on the support of petrochemicals refineries and mining operations and the repair of API 610 pumps.

“The company has a strong presence in Secunda, with a workshop that incorporates a recently commissioned test bay, new machinery and clean-room facilities for flameproof pump repairs, as well as a spray booth and drying chamber for applying Belzona protective coatings,” highlights Britz.

He adds that the facility is ISO 9001-, ISO 29001-, ISO 14001- and OSHAS 18001- accredited and is equipped to ensure that repaired machines comply fully with all local and international health and safety legislation.

“AESPUMP also has mining and surface certification and SANS 60079-01/1 accreditation for flameproofing electric apparatus in explosive gas atmospheres, including OD 014 and OD 015,” Britz notes.

In addition to Sundyne, AESPUMP’s Secunda facility has been approved as an accredited service centre by pump manufacturer KSB Pumps, screw cen- trifugal impeller Hidrostal, pump distributor Ecochem Pumps, water and fuelling systems provider Franklin Electric, pumps manufacturer Netzsch and pumps distributor SS Pumps.