Control Techniques' drive secures production at gold mine
October 2010
Motion Control & Drives
The Simmer and Jack Buffelsfontein mine in the North West Province needed to reactivate a tailings disposal system that had been decommissioned.
The system, at the very end of the process, is responsible for pumping some 300 cubic metres per hour of slurry into the tailings dam. Any interruption in slurry pumping has a knock-on effect up the line, quickly halting the production of gold. An obsolete variable speed drive, reliability and spares proved to be insurmountable problems, until a fast turn-around, close variable-speed control and bypass solution was proposed by Control Techniques Southern Africa.
The 220 kW drive solution chosen was a Unidrive SPM AC drive comprising four modules, complete with input and output chokes, a door-mounted CTIU touch-screen control panel and a direct-on-line bypass system with main circuit-breaker, contactor and motor overload protection. Control Techniques designed and built the panel and supplied the control logic that allows the pump to be started either from the panel or from the remote control room. Flow meters measure the upstream flow of the slurry and these, in turn, feed into the process control system that regulates the speed set-point for the drive. The ability to control pump speed to match needs produces considerable energy-saving on such a big pump. In the event of drive failure or maintenance work, the customer can manually select the bypass system to ensure that pumping of the tailings, and hence gold production, continues uninterrupted.
The units that make up the Unidrive SPM range can be used to implement most types of system. The separation of the power circuit into rectifier and drive stages enables elegant and compact active input configurations to be implemented. The modular nature of the power circuit allows drive systems to be constructed in non-standard enclosures. The range is part of the Unidrive SP ‘solutions platform’ AC variable speed drive range that spans 0,75 kW up to 1,9 MW. It is configurable in five operating modes: open and closed loop; vector; servo and regenerative. A wide range of feedback, networking and programming functions can be added with plug-in modules
AG Lubricants partners with
Motion Control & Drives
AG Lubricants has partnered with a major player in the South African steel industry to supply high-performance Mobil lubricants, Quaker Houghton industrial fluids and value-added technical services.
Read more...Smart features increase crane safety
Motion Control & Drives
The newly launched Konecranes S series hoist offers a large bouquet of smart features which not only increase lifting device safety but also deliver a higher level of operator protection.
Read more...Compact, powerful hexapod for high-precision applications
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...Hexagon Electrical services electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...NORD modular drives for frequently changing motor speeds Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG has made a substantial investment over the years to ensure assembly, stockholdings and technical support for the Nord range are in line with stringent international quality, safety and environmental standards.
Read more...Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation Schneider Electric South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...Powerful high-precision hexapod
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...Servicing the electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...Control system for deep antenna Rockwell Automation
Motion Control & Drives
When a major university in South Korea set out to build a 21-metre deep space antenna, the researchers needed a control system that could track celestial objects with pinpoint accuracy, a level of precision they thought was out of reach. By partnering with Rockwell Automation, they discovered that the right technology and support could turn their vision into reality.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version