Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) have been pump product development leaders in Australia for the best part of 30 years. A large part of their budget goes into research and development of products that can be used in corrosive liquid mining applications not only in Australia, but throughout the world with an emphasis on Mongolia and Africa.
The company’s philosophy is to understand the challenges that miners face in every field of the industry from exploration drilling to tailings pump out and even flood control.
The pump industry is a vibrant one, and everything revolves around solving issues. Aussie’s solutions are based on market research and the very simple philosophy of putting themselves in the place of the user, whether it’s drill rig operations, coal extractions or even big open cut operations.
“One thing is for sure, the liquids involved are often going to be extremely corrosive,” Aussie’s Chief Engineer John Hales says.
“Mining companies today are super conscious of the need for disposing of contaminated liquid waste in a safe and cost-effective way.
“It was that experience of working with people doing the hard yakka that brought us to push into a development program to build 316 stainless steel self-priming centrifugal pumps.”
Aussie’s product range expands
Hales says Aussie Pumps started out with 2” self-priming pumps in 316 SS for the mud pump application in exploration work.
“That was a great learning curve for us as we found what did and didn’t work. The cast iron impellers and mechanical seals were being run dry in drilling operations. The seals leaked as they were simply not tough enough for the job.
“We went a long way to fix that issue by putting in tungsten carbide mechanical seals. Running the pump dry will still burn the seal out. We do a lot of lecturing on that to drillers as well.”
The cast iron impellers were failing from both abrasion and corrosion. We changed over to stainless steel impellers in the cast iron pumps, scoring another major advantage in terms of longevity of the pump’s internals. Today, we look back and see how those cast-iron pumps have morphed into 316 stainless steel pumps that will pump more than 2,000L/m with heads as high as 78m.
“Our idea was simply to provide tougher products that were available anywhere in the world and to provide pumps than are virtually corrosion and abrasion proof,” said Hales.
“Our plan is to have the whole of our Aussie GMP range and many of our Carver Filtrate pumps supplied in 316 SS in the future.”
Australia’s miners deserve the best
“Having to spend valuable time on pumps and replacing components because of mismatched materials is one of the things we fight for,” said Hales.
“Our job is to make sure the industry knows the material, sometimes copper nickel for some applications, certainly 316 SS is the best solution.
“Even the Army uses our 316 SS pumps to provide water for the troops. It’s nice to think they are getting the best.”
Heavy duty trash pumps too
The 316 stainless steel pumps can be modified to be used very effectively as trash pumps. Big open impellers in stainless steel will pass solids in suspension as well as corrosive liquid with ease. The Aussie product development team have been busy!
In the coming months, we’ll see other progressive moves forward that show how this innovative company will continue to support Australia’s vital mining industry.
Aussie’s mining jetters
It’s almost 26 years since Aussie began producing drain cleaning Jetters. Plumbers have enough of using Electric Eels and the demand for faster and safer clearing of chokes increased. Since then, Aussie’s Jetter range has evolved to include trailer mounts for mines.
In the last 12 months, Aussie Pumps has seen an increase in requests for high pressure drain cleaning Jetters for Australia’s leading mining companies.
“We’re proud of the machines we have been able to develop by working in conjunction with staff from Rio Tinto, BHP and others,” Hales said.
“Getting the feedback from the users is a huge aid to inspire a new product that can double as portable trailer mounted diesel drive high pressure Jetters as well as a heavy-duty pressure cleaner.”
They are being used to clear blocked drains in both amenities and processing plant pipework.
“Imagine not having to dismantle pipework or to try clearing blockages with rods, when you can do it in a matter of minutes with a flexible hose and nozzle that navigate around gullies and even 90-degree elbows. The operators love it,” Hales said.
The Aussie Jetter range starts at 5,000psi machines that are Class A under the Australian Safety Standards.
“We focus on Class A because that way operators don’t need to be trained by a registered RTO,” Hales said.
On the contrary, Aussie believes the Class A training program that they offer free of charge is a very competent program that has been adopted by many throughout the industry.
Unique design
The first thing required was a diesel engine. A powerful reliable model KD 625 26 hp Kohler air cooled diesel engine drives the “Big Berty” Bertolini pump through a 2 to 1 reduction gearbox.
“Bertolini pumps were chosen when we first started building pressure cleaners because of their reliability and features,” Hales said.
“You’ll notice when you look at a Big Berty that it’s built like a tank and has a crankcase that is heavily “finned” to provide extra cooling for the lubricants. A cooler running pump means significantly longer life.
“We also used heavy duty unloaders and built in a safety valve as a part of our Aussie ‘Safety Protection Kit’ to protect both the machine and the operator from pressure spikes.”
The mobile heavy duty trailer mounts are hot dipped galvanized and equipped in line with Australia’s leading mining company’s requirements. The heavy-duty “rocker-roller” axles are designed for the toughest environment. The trailer mount comes with a with a 200L water tank, low pressure reel to feed the tank and stainless-steel high-pressure reel.
A high-pressure gun kit is included, along with the Aussie Mini Reel with 60m of extra hose. It also comes with a safety plate to cover the drain and a nozzle box with a choice of nozzles.
“The idea was to provide the best possible machine we could. Aussie’s slogan is ‘we design and build machines as if we were going to use them ourselves’,” Hales said.
“The Aussie mining Jetter range features flows up to 31L/m, with maximum pressure of 5,000psi. Aussie’s combinations deliver results at the site, whether it’s cleaning down earthmoving machinery or clearing blocked drains.
“The diesel drive machines are being exported as well to oil and gas locations around south-east Asia and that is a great compliment to the design and reliability of the machines we build. We can see a time coming when every mine in the country will have a diesel drive Jetter for clearing blocked drains, clearing pipe work and plant washdown.”
The company lives by the philosophy of clean water for mine sites with efficient sanitation as part of the essential hygiene for Australian mining camps.
Call with your requirements and get jetting now!
Further information is available from aussiepumps.com.au. or contact Aussie Pumps on 02 8865 3500.
