+
John Crane Retrofit Cuts Water Use at Copper Mine Pump
Equipment

John Crane Retrofit Cuts Water Use at Copper Mine Pump

John Crane has retrofitted a mechanical seal on a large underflow thickener slurry pump at a major copper mining operation, reducing sealing water consumption by around 288,000 litres per day while improving maintenance efficiency on a critical asset.

The retrofit replaced the pump's traditional stuffing box arrangement, which required shaft sleeve replacement every four months due to abrasive wear. These maintenance activities involved significant downtime, a 100-tonne crane and extensive manpower.

John Crane developed a mechanical seal package that could be installed without modifying the existing Warman 550 pump. The solution included an adapter sleeve and a controlled seal-flush arrangement designed to maintain a clean fluid environment at the seal faces. Diamond-faced materials were specified to enhance durability in demanding mining conditions.

Following commissioning, the pump has been operating with a seal-flush flow of approximately 7.5–8 m³/h, compared to about 20 m³/h for a comparable packed pump. This translates to a reduction of around 12 m³/h, or approximately 288,000 litres of water per day, depending on site conditions.

The upgrade is expected to align maintenance with the mine's annual service schedule, reducing the need for additional interventions during the year.

“This project is a practical example of how improved sealing can reduce maintenance exposure and cut the clean water required for sealing, while supporting more predictable planned maintenance,” said Warren Smith, Global Mining Market Director, John Crane.

The installation also marks a company milestone, with the 270 mm shaft diameter making it the largest slurry seal sold by John Crane to date.

John Crane has retrofitted a mechanical seal on a large underflow thickener slurry pump at a major copper mining operation, reducing sealing water consumption by around 288,000 litres per day while improving maintenance efficiency on a critical asset.The retrofit replaced the pump's traditional stuffing box arrangement, which required shaft sleeve replacement every four months due to abrasive wear. These maintenance activities involved significant downtime, a 100-tonne crane and extensive manpower.John Crane developed a mechanical seal package that could be installed without modifying the existing Warman 550 pump. The solution included an adapter sleeve and a controlled seal-flush arrangement designed to maintain a clean fluid environment at the seal faces. Diamond-faced materials were specified to enhance durability in demanding mining conditions.Following commissioning, the pump has been operating with a seal-flush flow of approximately 7.5–8 m³/h, compared to about 20 m³/h for a comparable packed pump. This translates to a reduction of around 12 m³/h, or approximately 288,000 litres of water per day, depending on site conditions.The upgrade is expected to align maintenance with the mine's annual service schedule, reducing the need for additional interventions during the year.“This project is a practical example of how improved sealing can reduce maintenance exposure and cut the clean water required for sealing, while supporting more predictable planned maintenance,” said Warren Smith, Global Mining Market Director, John Crane.The installation also marks a company milestone, with the 270 mm shaft diameter making it the largest slurry seal sold by John Crane to date.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

Peninsula Land launches 19 luxury villas in Pune

Pune’s residential landscape is witnessing a shift as premium homebuyers increasingly seek larger spaces, privacy and independent living options beyond high-rise apartments. Addressing this demand, Peninsula Land Limited, part of the Ashok Piramal Group, has launched AshokVillas, an exclusive collection of 19 premium furnished villas in Gahunje, Pune.The development combines the independence of a standalone home with the convenience and security of a managed residential community. Designed around low-density horizontal living, AshokVillas offers residents private spaces while providing acces..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MyBranch Expands South India Network with 16 Workspace Centres

MyBranch has expanded its South India presence with a 50,000 sq ft flexible workspace network comprising 16 centres across 14 cities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.The expansion reflects growing demand for flexible office infrastructure as businesses establish regional teams, satellite offices and operations beyond traditional metropolitan markets. MyBranch’s network spans Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Guntur, Hanamkonda, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Madurai, Mangaluru, Rajahmundry, Salem, Tirupati, Vellore, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, with a large office space in Chennai also und..

Next Story
Building Material

Walplast Launches Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Plaster Solutions

Walplast Products Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its HomeSure GypEx portfolio with the launch of GypEx MoistShield and GypEx Gold, two gypsum plaster solutions designed to address moisture-prone applications and improve plastering efficiency.The new products have been developed in response to the growing demand for faster construction processes, improved material performance and consistent surface quality. The solutions aim to simplify interior plastering while addressing specific application requirements across construction environments.“Through HomeSure GypEx MoistShield and GypEx Gold, we are exp..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code