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Market Forum

Aquamarine Water Solutions, a wholly South African company and independent business unit within the Murray & Roberts stable, introduced its expanded water treatment solutions offering in late 2019. The company’s mission of empowering Africa with technology-driven water solutions is intended to help overcome water scarcity on the continent and simultaneously provide quality water tailored to customers’ specific requirements. To achieve this, the company has partnered with local and multinational technology partners who specialise in water related solutions. This allows Aquamarine to ensure quality in all its offerings; proffer expert advice to customers with regards to component application use; repair and service equipment when required; and uphold the technology owners’ warranties. The company’s complete water solutions offering includes made-to-order and standardised solutions for brackish and seawater treatment. This encompasses the manufacture and installation of containerised and skid mounted water treatment

Keeping the water flowing

Critical pumps in the provision of water and sanitation services, as well as pumps used in the generation of electricity continue to be fully supported during the nationwide Covid-19 lock down period. Major supplier, KSB Pumps and Valves company spokesman, David Jones, regional sales manager for sub-Saharan Africa, says the company supplies largescale pumps for the distribution of potable water to the entire southern African region. plants, the provision of chemicals (reverse osmosis, cooling and boiler); componentry; operation and maintenance of plants, as well as risk-dependent finance for any of its projects. “This offering, when combined with the benefits of our partnerships, puts us on a trajectory to provide greater value for our customers,” says Aquamarine Water Solutions Head, Clive Govender. Aquamarine Water Solutions Clive Govender Tel: (011) 456-1000 Email: clive.govender@murrob.com www.aquamarinewater.co.za

“During this time of crisis, we will do everything in our power to support our water utilities and municipalities water infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted supply of clean water to all communities. “The same applies to sanitation services where wastewater and sewerage handling is equally important to fight diseases and infection. Our workmen, technicians and engineers are on round-the-clock standby to ensure that pumps in these services run smoothly.” David adds that KSB Pumps and Valves has also played a crucial role in retrofitting and rejuvenating old pumps and steam valves in Eskom’s power station fleet in order to keep the country’s lights burning. Along with its modern equipment in newer power stations, the company’s full support and vast expertise will be critical to ensure uninterrupted power during the shutdown. KSB Pumps and Valves Annett Kriel Tel: (011) 876-5600 Email: Annett.Kriel@ksb.com, www.ksbpumps.co.za

Stabilise and support: Energy security can grow African economies

Aggreko recently signed a contract with Resolute at the Syama gold mining complex in southern Mali. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions and improve the overall site efficiency. Aggreko will be operating and maintaining a 40MW thermal plant and a 10MW battery storage system with 20MW of solar power planned for 2023. This hybrid solution is set to reduce the mining complex’s power costs by 40% with an anticipated carbon emission reduction of 20% when the renewable power sources kick in. Aggreko works closely with organisations to develop solutions that not only resolve energy security challenges but provide them with reliable resources in times of economic complexities. Using data, insights and innovative technologies, the company has worked with multiple organisations and industries to shore up their energy investments and provide them with vital stability.

According to the IEA, energy efficiency goes beyond just the macro economy. The micro economic benefits extend into savings due to reduced pressure on importing energy reserves or supplies; the cost is then knocked on to the customer (individual and company) which increases spending power and capacity; and savings that can translate into further improvements of existing infrastructure. To break the cycle that is currently plaguing the South African power utility, there is a need to address energy security across multiple layers which each plays a role in supporting the economy. Agrekko, Tel: (011) 357-8900, www.aggreko.com John Lewis, Managing Director, Aggreko Africa

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South African-based condition monitoring specialists, WearCheck, are proud to announce a partnership with Swedish condition monitoring instrument manufacturers, SPM, allowing WearCheck to sell and support their world-class products. The full SPM range features portable condition monitoring products, online systems, maintenance tools, technologies and expertise, all using techniques that help customers to achieve the highest possible uptime of critical assets – an approach which dovetails perfectly with that of WearCheck. WearCheck technicians have been trained to use, apply and install the SPM equipment, which performs many reliability solutions techniques, including vibration measurement and analysis, balancing, orbit analysis and laser shaft alignment, bearing and pulse checking, lubrication assessment and root cause analysis. The company’s reliability solutions manager, Philip Schutte, believes the partnership is set to yield many benefits, and that it enhances even further the two companies’ shared vision of maximising the planning horizon for maintenance and repairs. WearCheck Tel: (031) 700-5460 Email: marketing@wearcheck. co.za www.wearcheck.co.za

WearCheck staffers, Philip Schutte (reliability solutions manager) (second from left) and Annemie Willer (RS senior sales technician) (fourth from left), visited SPM’s head office in Sweden recently to seal the deal between the two companies

The Verder Group, a global leader in advanced industrial and niche market pump solutions, is pleased to announce the latest addition in the Group’s Verderflex range of peristaltic tube pumps, the Rapide 5000. The Rapide 5000 has been developed to offer simple, reliable and cost-effective pumping solutions for industrial applications. The design combines the flexibility of the Vantage 5000 pump head with the simplicity of a single or three-phase powered industrial gearmotor. The innovative pump head has been field-proven on many successful installations of the more sophisticated, programmable Vantage 5000 dosing pump. Verderflex’s engineers have developed the Rapide 5000 peristaltic pump for users who require a simpler pump design with no local controls, Latest Addition

or a pump that does not need a costly, external air supply. The new Verderflex Rapide 5000 is ideal as a stand-alone single or double head pump or integrated into a system. This lubricant-free peristaltic pump can run dry without pump damage as, with the tube’s powerful recovery, it has excellent dry priming and viscous product pumping capabilities. The pump is especially suitable to dose and transfer abrasive and corrosive liquids such as chemical additives, inks, paints and off gassing liquids.

Verder Pumps South Africa Kirstin Adam Email: kirstin.adam@verder.co.za www.verderliquids.com/za

Its growing reputation for prompt and cost effective dredging in the mining sector has extended the work of Integrated Pump Rental into tackling sewage settlement ponds. A recent contract at a wastewater treatment plant is part of a strong flow of repeat business from South Africa’s platinum mines, according to Ruaan Venter, rental development manager at Integrated Pump Rental. This particular plant was operated by the mine, but also served the local municipality and nearby communities. “Using our specialised SlurrySucker dredging equipment, we could quickly dredge the sewage pond before there was any danger of overflow,” says Ruaah. “Regular monitoring and dredging of these facilities allows them to effectively settle the sewage flowing in, and keep the system operating well.” He notes that the SlurrySucker uses a pump with an open-vane, non-clogging impeller, an important innovation in these applications as there are still solid objects and sanitary products that could block a normal pump. “The design of our system, and the way it channels water flow to agitate the settled material, ensures that there is no chance of damaging the pond liner,” he concludes. Integrated Pump Rental Tel: (011) 894-2906 admin@pumprental.co.za www.pumprental.co.za

Pulp-and-paper plant

When a pulp and paper producer required inspection and maintenance of its fire water system, it turned to rope access specialist Skyriders to provide a quick and cost-effective solution. Skyriders’ experience in the petrochemical and power generation industries stood it in good stead with this flagship project. “Our experience and track record with hazardous and

chemical environments made it a natural extension for us to continue work in the pulp and paper industry,” Skyriders Marketing Manager Mike Zinn comments. For example, the company was recently involved with a deluge system for a major petrochemical producer, which is a water mist system based on open spray heads attached to a piping system, connected to a water supply by valves. The pulp and paper producer opted for rope access as this provided the safest and quickest access of its manufacturing facility for the mandatory inspection of its fire water system, which involved examining all of nozzles and hoses. Traditional scaffolding, on the other hand, is both time-consuming and costly to erect. Extra time for proper dismantling also has to be factored in upon completion of the project. Mike Zinn Marketing Manager Tel: (011) 312 1418 Email: mike@ropeaccess.co.za www.ropeaccess.co.za

Hudaco Group company, Berntel, is introducing several new product ranges through the Bearings International (BI) branch network. These include Ober, an Italian designer and manufacturer of portable pneumatic tools, motors, automated machinery, and systems for drilling, tapping, threading and screwing, including power screwdrivers with electronic torque control; compressors and dryers from German manufacturer BOGE; and smart vacuum solutions from Piab. In addition, Berntel represents a range of well-known brands, such as JELPC pneumatics, Piab vacuum components, JORC Industrial condensate drain management, VMECA water-free units, and Belef actuation. The main applications are food and beverage, automotive, general industry, sugar, pulp and paper, OEMs, machine builders, and agriculture, Berntel General Manager Neil Champion explains. The complete solutions available focus on the efficient generation of clean, dry compressed air to condensate drain management, pneumatic, vacuum, process, and industrial components, and designing and programming control systems with PLC integration. “What is critical for customers to understand is that Berntel focuses on solutions specifically for vacuum process and industrial automation. It is a nicely-mixed product range that offers a complete package. We have strived to make a simply and user-friendly basket for a range of requirements and applications,” Neil concludes. BI Contact Tel: (011) 899-0000 Fax: 087 057 6122 Email: info@bearings.co.za www.bearings.co.za

Drive and automation technology leader SEW-Eurodrive (Pty) Ltd. has joined a nationwide campaign to use 3D printing technology to produce much-needed face masks and shields for healthcare workers and first responders. The initiative was organised by 3D printing solutions provider Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), with MD Bernhard Vogt calling on all companies and individuals equipped with such technology to join the campaign. By mid-April, the initiative had produced an astonishing 15 000 face shields to meet the needs of private healthcare providers such as Netcare and the Department of Health. SEW-Eurodrive, which has a state-of-the-art 3D printer in its design department, responded to the rallying cry, and an engineer is printing masks from the safety of his home. The project is being overseen by the design and engineering departments.

Sew Eurodrive (Pty) Ltd Jana Klut Tel: (011) 248-7000 Email: jklut@sew.co.za www.sew.co.za