CASE STUDIES
KETO bare shaft pump upgrade improves bearing barrel life
A scheelite and magnetite mine in Tasmania, Australia was experiencing constant pump failures. The mine site was looking for a way to maximise the bearing barrel life and improve wet end replacement cycles.
CHALLENGE
The site were using legacy 6/4 D-AH pumps which required a rebuild every 6 weeks due to wet end wear. These pumps were operating at extremely high temperatures and excessive greasing was used to try to reduce the temperature.
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INDUSTRY / APPLICATION
Mining & minerals
• Scheelite / Magnetite -
LOCATION
Tasmania, Australia
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CUSTOMER BENEFITS
- Rebuilds reduced from every 6 weeks to over 12 months
- Savings of over $39,000 p.a. on spare parts
- Reduced bearing temperatures
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FEATURES
- KETO 6X4 K-HS™ pump
- KETO K-HEE™ impeller
- KETO liners
SOLUTION
KETO replaced the existing 6/4AH pump with a KETO interchangeable bare shaft pump (6x4HS™ ) with rubber (RN55) liner and K-HEE™ metal (WI05) impeller. To improve the wear life of the wet end, KETO engineers recommended a K-HEE™ impeller was installed. The K-HEE™ severe duty, high efficiency impeller incorporates high efficiency with low wear. KETO K-HEE™ impellers do not increase seal chamber pressure, do not increase thrust bearing loads and due to their severe duty design can be used in both fine and course slurry services and low NPSHR applications. Single piece sleeves in KETO bare shaft pumps allow for easy maintenance and removal. O-rings at both ends of the sleeve prevent protect from abrasive or corrosive contaminents.Before: Legacy 6/4AH installed, leaking issues can be seen surrounding pump
After: KETO bare shaft pump 6x4 K-HS™ installed, reduction in leakage
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
The wet end rebuild was reduced from every 6 weeks to over 12 months and was still running at the time of publishing this case study. The bearing barrel is now running at a lower, safe to touch temperature, which has reduced the need for constant greasing. KETO are now working on other site installations to increase bearing life, reduce greasing requirements, and reduce water consumption.KETO 6x4HS™ bare shaft pump with K-HEE™ impeller installed
