Versatile amphibious pumps

Amphibious heavy-duty pumps are designed to operate in dry or submerged environments, making them suitable for a range of applications in the mining, oil and gas, construction and agricultural sectors.

IPR, the official Southern African distributor for the Toyo VH range, says these pumps are designed to operate effectively in challenging environments where versatility and durability are paramount.

In the mining industry the pumps are used in dewatering, which is the removal of water infiltrating openpit and underground mines. The pump’s ability to handle heavy and abrasive slurries makes it ideal for use in the construction sector, in dewatering building sites and during tunnel construction. The pump can operate either partially or completely submerged and a compact version with an inline outlet discharge is particularly useful in tunnelling works where space is limited.

IPR business development manager Ruaan Venter says the Toyo VH amphibious pump is useful in environmental clean-up and remediation efforts, where the units can effectively and efficiently pump out contaminated groundwater or surface water, even when the water is laden with solids or sediment.

“In wastewater treatment facilities, Toyo VH pumps handle sludge and other dense materials, while in the agricultural industry, these amphibious pumps are key in irrigation and drainage systems, especially in flood-prone areas. Their ability to function both submerged and above water is crucial in maintaining optimal growing conditions by controlling water levels in fields,” he says.

In the  industrial sector the versatile pumps are used to handle slurries in processing plants in the food processing and chemical and petroleum industries. The units’ robust construction enables the management of corrosive and abrasive fluids in demanding industrial environments.

The Toyo VH pumps incorporate a semi-open impeller, passageways for the movement of solids, heavy-duty shaft and bearing configurations and double mechanical seals operating in an oil bath. They can function as priming or booster pumps and are installed on a frame with a strainer or with a fixing cone, with or without an agitator. Models from the Toyo VH15 and larger are equipped with an adjustable wear plate to optimise hydraulic efficiency.

Venter explains that one of the most important advantages is that the Toyo VH range features a unique agitator design that lifts sediment into suspension, enabling the continuous pumping of media with high solid concentrations.

The pumps can manage slurries with densities of at least 1.25 kg/dm³ and solid contents up to 55% by weight. They can handle solid particles up to 80 mm in diameter and liquid temperatures up to 60 °C with pH levels between 4 and 14.

Capable of operating at maximum depths of 30 m, the pumps are suitable for surface applications or those requiring partial or total submersion. Special versions of Toyo VH pumps can handle solid content of up to 60% by weight and liquid temperatures up to 80 °C. Variations in materials of construction, including stainless steel and specialised alloys, are available for applications with extremely high temperatures.