Pneumatic sludge pump re-design for performance enhancement in the conditions of Bogala mines

Abstract

Bogala Graphite mine is one of the well known high grade underground graphite mine in the world. Dewatering is one of tire major lost component in the mine. Diesel or electric pumps can not be used in underground mines such as in the case of Bogala due to safety issues. In such conditions, a reliable and economical sludge pump for underground mining operations is a prime necesscity. In this study it has been subjected to analyse underground dewatering process, available solutions for associated problems and selected types of pneumatic sludge pumps. A mathematical model was developed to explain the pump mechanism and a pump was re-designed. A cost analysis was carried out to find out the financial feasibility and the design was changed according to the available technology. Sand casting method was used to produce pump head. Other parts were produced according to feasible and cost effective methods. Performance evaluation was duly carried out using redesigned pump. Maximum efficiency and the maximum pump head were observed at inlet pressure of 20 psi. Problems and other issues were identified and with the results of the performance evaluation, pump design was developed. Finally we could conclude that we can fabricate the pump economically, by locally available technologies. In this paper, pump design, production and performance evaluation process and other associated problems which arose throughout were analysed.