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.
Citation:
Senarathne, D.E.N., Perera, K.L.H.D., Madusanka, D.A.G., Muthukuda, M.A.S.L., Dharmaratne, P.G.R., Rohitha, L.P.S., & Chaminda, S.P. (2010). Pneumatic sludge pump re-design for performance enhancement in the conditions of Bogala mines. In N. P. Ratnayake, A.M.K.B. Abeysinghe, H.M.R. Premasiri & S. Karunaratne (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th Annual Conference on Earth Resources for National Development (pp. 25-28). Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa.