2. Quarry water level control:
Company Name:
AfriSam
Presenter:
Edwin Swanepoel
Institute of Quarrying Annual Conference
Date: 10 April 2014
3. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 3
Introduction
Introduction (Olifantsfontein pumping system)
Sudden increase of water flowing into quarry experienced
Existing pumping system capacity not adequate
Could eventually have a negative influence on mining plan
Contents of presentation
Determining water Influx and required pump capacity
Dispersing large amounts of water into the environment
Selecting the best pump for the application
o System resistance curve vs. Pump performance curves
o Actual vs. Required flow rate
o Testing installed system performance and identifying problems
4. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 4
Determining water Influx and required pump capacity
Why determine influx?
Sustainability
Where does it come from?
5.
6.
7. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 7
Determining water Influx and required
pump rate
Calculate Influx
Water level rise X Surface Area
Divide by total time
8. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 8
Determining water Influx and required
pump rate
Quarry water level change as a function of time
Old fashioned Total station measurement
Many other ways to measure if you apply your mind...
9. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 9
Determining water Influx and required
pump rate
Quarry surface area measurement/Calculation
Old Fashioned way
Draw water line on existing quarry map and calculate
10. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 10
Determining water Influx and required
pump rate
Important points to consider while conducting
measurements
Rain
o Heavy rain will influence measurements.
Current pumping system performance
o Make sure of total volume dispersed during
measuring period.
11. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 11
Dispersing large amounts of water into the
environment
What does the law say
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable
measures to-
o Prevent water containing waste or any substance which
causes or is likely to cause pollution of a water resource from
entering any water resource, either by natural flow or by
seepage, and must retain or collect such substance or water
containing waste for use, re-use, evaporation or for purification
and disposal in terms of the Act;
o Minimise water flow of any substance or floodwater into mine
workings, opencast workings, etc.
However, water may be discharged provided quality of this water
is maintained or improved relative to that of the receiving
stream(s)
12. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 12
Water quality
Measurements of water quality at various points
Better than upstream quality – OK TO DISPERSE
Worst than upstream quality – Treatment needed
Continuous measurements must be taken to ensure water
quality stays within guideline ranges
13. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 13
System resistance Calculation
14. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 14
Static Head
The static/geodetic head of the system is the difference
between the suction and discharge altitudes (Water
level!!!)
15. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 15
Pipe Size
Discharge: Capital Cost vs. Running cost
1.8m/s > V < 2.5m/s Discharge pipes.
Friction Head Proportional to V2 (Haaland)
Suction: To reduce cavitation
V < 1m/s (NPSHavailable vs. NPSHrequired)
16. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 16
Selecting the best pump for the application
20. Quarry water level control: (Olifantsfontein pumping system) Edwin Swanepoel10 April 2014 20
Monitoring Installed system
Remember pump can only perform on Pump curve:
Sudden change in either flow rate or discharge pressure:
o Check for leaks
o Check pump impellor
However, if both the pressure and Flow rate changes
o Compare new Duty point with pump curve:
o If it falls on pump curve but:
o Pressure ↑ and Flow rate ↓ or vice versa:
Pump √
Change in static head
Restriction in pipeline