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Key to Schematic Diagram

BACKGROUND (Back To Top)

The operation of the pump stations is a multi-task procedure that insures the stations' performance and the safety of equipment & personnel at minimum cost. The operation of the pump station, in most of the mines, has not changed for decades and it becomes less and less affordable. In fact the few mines that have automated their pump stations, did it by applying expensive high-tech technology, which provided the necessary functions at high capital cost and with great dependency on high-tech qualified personnel. The aging of the pumping systems, the declining of high-tech skilled personnel demand a new approach to the method of operating pump station. The automation of the pump station becomes a must, mainly aimed to simplify the station's operation with an increased safety and to achieve significant reduction in the running and maintenance costs.

OBJECTIVES (Back To Top)

1. Automation of the operation of the pump station, by applying the minimum necessary high-tech equipment, in purpose to make possible the: -

• Automatic opening of the pump discharge valve, on pump startup occurrence.
• Automatic closing of the pump discharge valve, on pump stops or pump trip occurrences.
• Prevention of water hammer on pump's stopping or tripping occurrences.
• Maintaining of sufficient pump discharge pressure, regardless of the operating conditions, in purpose to: -
  a) Prevent pump's flow surge conditions.
  b) Reduce wear of the pump's balancing disc.

2. Reduction of the operating cost by optimizing the required manpower for the operation of the pump station, regarding the: -

• Intensive-labor operating personnel.
• High-tech maintenance personnel.

3. Reduction in the dependency of the mine on high-tech qualified personnel mostly because this type of personnel becomes less available and less affordable.

4. Reduction of the running & maintenance cost, due to the: -

• Reduction of potential damage to pumps and pipelines.
• Reduction of the maintenance cost of pumps, instrumentation and columns.

PUMP DISCHARGE CONTROL VALVE (Back To Top)

The N.G.D Pump Discharge Control Valve is a new and innovative application of the N.G.D valve series and combines three basic principles of the N.G.D valve series. The valve does not need any instruments, controllers, power supply or computers. (See attached drawing)
The valve: -

• Opens automatically on pump startup.
• Prevents pump surge conditions by maintaining a positive discharge pressure when the pump is running, irrespective of the discharge column fullness level.
• Closes automatically on pump stop.
• Assists and backups the non-return valve on the pump's discharge.
• Prolongs the balancing disc life span by maintaining a positive discharge pressure when the pump is running, irrespective of the discharge column fullness level.

SHOCK PREVENTION VALVE (Back To Top)

The N.G.D Shock Prevention Valve prevents a water hammer occurrence by providing an instantaneous alternate flow passage to the accelerating reverse fluid mass in purpose to prevent its abrupt stoppage. The valve opens instantaneously on pump's trip occurrence and closes in a controlled rate after a short time delay.