KSB Pumps and Valves has launched a stainless-steel submersible pump range designed for deep borehole use and other demanding freshwater and saline pumping applications.

The new CORAChrom pumps feature all wetted components including diffusers fabricated from corrosion-resistant high-grade AISI 304 stainless steel or a choice of stainless steel or engineered polymer impellers depending on the environment.  

The pump series is available in 100 mm and 150 mm multistage centrifugal variants and is engineered for use in mineral-rich or aggressive groundwater, including high iron or salt content, as well as conditions of variable water tables and unreliable electricity supply.

The use of stainless steel for key components such as the suction housing and non-return valve reduces the risk of degradation or clogging experienced in traditional cast iron or bronze pumps. The range also features integrated intermediate bearings and a counter-thrust ring to support axial loads and extend bearing life.

The pump’s lightweight modular design allows it to be installed vertically, horizontally or at an inclined angle, which makes it adaptable for a variety of borehole and tank installations. The pump also boasts a wide power compatibility, allowing it to operate on both single and three-phase AC power and it is also available in DC solar-ready options, for off-grid or energy-constrained areas.

“Our CORAChrom pumps are capable of delivering flow rates of up to 12 m³/h (200 litres per minute), with maximum heads of 638 m at 50 Hz (2 900 rpm) or 780 m at 60 Hz (3 500 rpm). Motors are available up to 22 kW, depending on model and application. This is tested and certified in our global manufacturing sites where each pump undergoes rigorous hydraulic testing under ISO 9906 Grade 3B standards verifying its real-world efficiency,” says KSB Pumps and Valves area manager Hugo du Plessis.

The KSB CORAChrom series can be deployed in a range of applications, such as:

• Borehole-based irrigation for farms and smallholdings
• Garden and nursery watering systems
• Domestic water supply in rural or peri-urban housing developments
• Dewatering and groundwater management in construction and mining
• Pressure boosting and cooling water systems in commercial and industrial buildings

Du Plessis notes that in drought-prone areas such as the Northern Cape, Karoo and North West, where boreholes may be drilled to depths exceeding 500 m and access to reliable electricity remains a challenge, the solar-ready DC models have proven to be particularly useful.