Abstract: A pump liner for a centrifugal pump wherein the pump liner comprises a main pumping chamber, an inlet to the main pumping chamber and a discharge outlet extending from the main pumping chamber, wherein the pump liner is formed from at least two elastomeric compounds including a first compound and a second compound, the first compound having a different hardness to the second compound and wherein the liner is composed of the second compound at locations which in use are subject to erosive, impingement and/or directional wear.

Abstract: Guards for rotary pumps are described, the pump having a main body and further including an impeller housing and a driveshaft extending between the main body of the pump and the impeller housing; the pump further including an adjustable sealing arrangement provided at a region where the driveshaft enters the impeller housing, the guard provides access to adjust the sealing arrangement but obstructs access to the driveshaft.

Abstract: An impeller which can be rotated about a rotation axis X-X, the impeller comprising a shroud having opposed inner and outer faces and an outer peripheral edge portion remote from the rotation axis, a plurality of pumping vanes projecting from the inner face of the shroud, a plurality of auxiliary vanes projecting from the outer face of the shroud, one or more of the auxiliary vanes having an inner edge which is closer to the rotation axis and an outer edge which is closer to the peripheral edge portion of the shroud, the auxiliary vanes extending in a direction between the rotation axis towards the outer peripheral edge portion of the shroud, one or more of the auxiliary vanes having a leading side and a trailing side each of which extends from the inner edge to the outer edge with an upper side spaced from the outer face of the shroud, and at least one projection extending from the trailing side of one or more of the said auxiliary vanes, and preferably each auxiliary vane.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly for pump casing of a pump, the pump casing including a main part and a side part having a main axis and a side wall section extending laterally with respect to the main axis. The adjustment assembly is operable to cause relative displacement between the side part and the main part of the pump casing. The adjustment assembly includes a drive device and an actuator which can be activated externally of the pump, the drive device being operable to cause the relative displacement of the side part in response to activation of said actuator, the relative displacement capable of being a combination of axial and rotational movement.

Abstract: A slurry pump impeller which includes a front shroud and a back shroud each having an inner main face with an outer peripheral edge and a central axis, a plurality of pumping vanes extending between the inner main faces of the shrouds, the pumping vanes being disposed in spaced apart relation. Each pumping vane includes a leading edge in the region of the central axis and a trailing edge in the region of the outer peripheral edges of the shrouds with a passageway between adjacent pumping vanes. Each passageway has associated therewith a discharge guide vane, each discharge guide vane being disposed within a respective passageway and located closer to one or the other of the pumping vanes and projecting from the inner main face of at least one of the or each shrouds.

Abstract: A lubricant retainer for use in a pump bearing assembly, the bearing assembly which in a first operating configuration is lubricated by a relatively highly viscous lubricant, and which in a second operating configuration is lubricated by a less-viscous lubricant, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing having a bore extending therethrough for receiving a pump drive shaft, spaced-apart bearing mounting zones within the bore with a chamber therebetween, each bearing mounting zone arranged for the in use receipt of a bearing therein, and wherein each zone has associated therewith one lubricant retainer, the lubricant retainer being adapted to be mounted within the bore adjacent the bearing mounting zone with which it is associated so as to form a barrier between the bearing mounting zone and the chamber when the pump bearing assembly is in the first operating configuration, the retainer being removed when the pump bearing assembly is in the second operating configuration.

Abstract: A pump housing support for use in a pump assembly, the pump assembly including a plurality of component parts which include a seal housing, a drive shaft having a rotation axis, an impeller and a pump housing, the pump housing which includes a main liner, the pump housing support including a base and a mounting member which includes a body portion to which a part of the pump housing can be mounted and a locating flange extending therefrom, the locating flange having first and second locating surfaces on opposing sides thereof and where the main liner is located on the first locating surface and the seal housing is located on the second locating surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a lifter bar may be provided that is formed at least partially from an elastomeric material and includes at least one attachment formation embedded at least partially in the elastomeric material. In other aspects, the attachment formation may include a longitudinal spine that may include apertures, may be substantially planar, and may include a track.

Abstract: A lifter bar includes at least one attachment formation for use in lifting the lifter bar; wherein the at least one attachment formation is embedded in the lifter bar. A method of producing the lifter bar and tools for use in handling the lifter bar are also described.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a liner component for a grinding mill is described, the method including the steps of: providing a plate of hard material; cutting the plate to form a plurality of inserts, at least some of the inserts including a formation for mechanically engaging with a body of a resilient material; arranging the inserts in a mould, and—adding resilient material to the mould to form a resilient material body around the inserts to thereby form the liner component.

Abstract: A lifting device for use, in one embodiment, to hoist a lifter bar is described. A method of affixing a lifting device to a lifter bar is also described.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump impeller includes front and back shrouds and a plurality of pumping vanes therebetween, each pumping vane having a leading edge in the region of an impeller inlet and a trailing edge, the front shroud has an arcuate inner face in the region of the impeller inlet, the arcuate inner face having a radius of curvature (Rs) in the range from 0.05 to 0.16 of the outer diameter of the impeller (D2) The back shroud includes an inner main face and a nose having a curved profile with a nose apex in the region of the central axis which extends towards the front shroud, there being a curved transition region between the inner main face and the nose. Fr is the radius of curvature of the transition region and the ratio Fr/D2 is from 0.32 to 0.65. Other ratios of various dimensions of the impeller are also described.

Abstract: A pump intake device comprises a main body which includes a side wall section having an inner side and an outer side, an intake section extending from the outer side of the side wall section and an intake passage extending through the intake section, the intake passage having an inner surface and an entry end and an exit end with a central axis extending between the entry and exit ends, where a first portion of the inner surface has one or more first guides thereon for directing fluid passing through the intake passage so that, in use, the fluid leaves the exit end at the first portion with an exit angle which is inclined relative to the central axis.

Abstract: A pump and submersible solids processing arrangement includes a pump, having a suction inlet and discharge, and a submersible solids processing arrangement positioned in fluid communication with the suction inlet of the pump and being structured to macerate larger solids and matter that is entrained in a fluid to thereby reduce the size of the solids prior to entry of the fluid and solids into the inlet of the pump, the arrangement further including macerating members the speed and arrangement of which are selectively determinable or adjustable, and the arrangement further comprising an agitator arrangement for directing solids into the submersible solids processing arrangement.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication system for a centrifugal pump includes a hydraulic recirculating pump that is structured to provide recirculation of a fluid to and from the motor that drives the impeller of the centrifugal pump, and a system of efferent and afferent conduits that are connected to both the motor and the bearing housing of the centrifugal pump to direct lubricating fluid to or from the bearings, and to or from the motor for recirculation to the hydraulic recirculating pump, thereby utilizing the lubricating fluid used to lubricate the drive motor as a means of lubricating and cooling the bearings that support the rotating shaft of the pump.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a hydrocyclone body including assembling sintered alumina blocks (27) against a form (37), holding the blocks (27) in place with tape (40), locating a hydrocyclone housing over the blocks (27), filling a space between them with settable epoxy/ceramic composite to secure the blocks (27) to the casing, and removing the form (37), resulting in a substantially continuous, wear resistant surface.

Abstract: A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing; a breather float valve mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A casting of a white cast iron alloy and a method of producing the casting are disclosed. A white cast alloy is also disclosed. The casting has a solution treated microstructure that comprises a ferrous matrix of retained austenite and chromium carbides dispersed in the matrix, with the carbides comprising 15 to 60% volume fraction of the alloy. The matrix composition comprises: manganese: 8 to 20 wt %; carbon: 0.8 to 1.5 wt %; chromium: 5 to 15 wt %; and iron: balance (including incidental impurities).

Abstract: A lifter bar assembly for a crushing mill is disclosed including: a plurality of lifter bar segments; the segments being arranged to be installed adjacent to one another to form a lifter bar; wherein each of the segments are of a weight which can be safely handled by a team of two people.

Abstract: A casting of a white cast iron alloy which includes the following alloy composition, in weight %: chromium: 12-25%; carbon: 1.5-6%; manganese: 2-7%; silicon: up to 1.5%; molybdenum: up to 2; nickel: up to 4%; microalloying elements selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, niobium, boron, vanadium, and tungsten: up to 2% of each of one or more of the elements; and iron: balance. The microstructure of the casting has 15-60 vol % eutectic carbides and primary carbides dispersed in a ferrous matrix of martensite and is at least substantially free of pearlite.