Flangeless Hi-Pressure Pipe Coupling, Effective Dewatering

High-pressure and high-tensile, Carl Hamm’s ZSM duplex stainless-steel coupling system enables rapid coupling and uncoupling of pipes, which in turn allows reduced installation and abstraction of pumps. In this way, it contributes to the reduction of downtime and maintenance costs, facilitating the efficient and effective dewatering of mines.

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) has been a challenge for many years. However, it wasn’t until last two Decades, with the large-scale mining of the past century, that people realised the negative impact of abandoning mines and leaving the effects of AMD to impact the environment for generations. This is especially evident in the Witwatersrand Goldfields of South Africa, where the Western, Central, and Eastern basins stretch for over 70 km and are interconnected so that flooding in one mine affects adjacent mines. The last operating mine in each basin was responsible for the costly pumping and neutralization of AMD, which often led to mine closure and liquidation. However, treatment plants in each basin have made significant progress in stopping decant and preventing breaches of Environmental Critical Levels (ECL).

Carl Hamm’s ZSM system has played a crucial role in contributing to the safe and environmentally friendly abstracting of AMD. The ZSM coupling system is employed in the Shafts to facilitate the efficient and effective dewatering of the mines. By using high-pressure, hightensile, duplex stainless-steel couplings, the ZSM system enables coupling and uncoupling of pipes, which in turn allows rapid change of Submersible pumps. Ultimately, this reduces downtime and maintenance costs.

Advantages of ZSM coupling system ZSM coupling system enables cost-effective, safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient management of AMD Abstraction thanks to the following features:

• The ZSM system is designed to withstand high pressures and is made of duplex stainless steel, which offers superior strength and durability compared to other materials. Thus, it can withstand harsh environments, making it a reliable and efficient solution for pumping AMD.

• The ZSM coupling system is designed to be leak-free, which enhances safety and reduces the risk of environmental contamination.

• With the ZSM coupling system, pumps can be lowered from the surface, and no one needs to enter the mine. In this way, the risk of exposure to Gas and Toxic Acid mine Water is eliminated.

• The ZSM system’s quick and easy 15-second assembly and disassembly allows for faster and more efficient installation and maintenance and replacement of submersible components. This is especially important in mining operations where downtime can be very costly.

• The ZSM system’s high-pressure capabilities allow for the effective dewatering of mines with rising water levels. The system can handle high volumes of water and pump it out quickly, which can help prevent flooding and maintain safe working conditions in the mine.

Overall, the ZSM system’s durability, ease of maintenance, and high-pressure capabilities make it an effective solution for managing rising water levels in mines and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Challenges of using conventional pipe connection systems

ZSM coupling system is a critical solution in water treatment plants for AMD. Typically, managing rising acid mine water levels in mines using conventional pipe connection systems can pose several challenges, such as:

• Cost: Acid mine drainage treatment can be expensive due to the complex and intensive abstraction, including high capital costs for installation and maintenance of equipment, and high operating costs to ensure effective treatment.

• Time and labour: raditional pumping systems require continuous maintenance and monitoring to ensure that the system is functioning properly. The need for regular maintenance can be timeconsuming and requires significant labour resources. It requires Staff to be lowered into the mine and as such the mine remains an active mine with all associated costs.

• Environmental impact: Acid mine water can have a detrimental effect on the environment, as it can cause pollution in nearby water sources and harm wildlife. Therefore, it is important to effectively manage and treat acid mine drainage to minimize its impact on the environment.

• Regulatory compliance: Mines are required to comply with environmental regulations regarding acid mine drainage, and non-compliance can result in fines and penalties.

• Safety concerns: Rising water levels in mines can pose safety risks to workers, as it can lead to flooding and damage to equipment.

Generally, the challenges associated with managing rising acid mine water levels using conventional pumping systems can have a significant impact on mine operations, compliance, and safety.

Partnership delivers reliability and efficiency

Carl Hamm’s recent partnership with Esser Pipe Solutions offers an innovative solution to the challenges of acid mine drainage dewatering. By combining Carl Hamm’s ZSM coupling system with Esser’s twin-walled pipe components, mining companies can benefit from a reliable and efficient system that is resistant to wear and can withstand high pressures.

The ZSM coupling system’s quick and easy assembly and disassembly allows for flexible and efficient deployment of the twin-walled pipe components in acid mine drainage dewatering systems. The combination of the ZSM coupling system’s high-pressure capabilities and Esser’s wear-resistant twin-walled pipe components results in a solution that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, while also meeting international safety standards.

On the whole, the partnership between Carl Hamm and Esser offers mining companies a cutting-edge solution for their acid mine drainage dewatering needs, with the potential to significantly improve operational efficiency and compliance.

For more information on the products and services that Carl Hamm PPS provides, contact Desmond Enslin at +27 83 556 4642 or send an e-mail to desmond@ carl-hamm.co.za. Visit our website at www.carl-hamm.co.za.