GIW Minerals Slurry Pumps for Hydrotransport and Oil Sands

GIW manufactures reliable and robust slurry pumps, while also delivering transport solutions to the oil sands industry.

The process of extracting bitumen from the oil sands is challenging, requiring pumps to be wear-resistant. GIW is dedicated to technological innovations, providing rugged, cost-effective slurry pumps and maintenance services that extend pump life.

With more than 30 years of experience helping Canada process oil sands bitumen, the GIW Minerals TBC pump is now one of the most operated heavy-duty slurry pumps in the Canadian oil sands industry.

High-performing slurry pumps

Recurrent unscheduled shutdowns due to underperforming pumps are both expensive and disruptive to operations, yet downtime is a regular occurrence for many operators in the oil sands industry.

Work at a major oil sands operation near Fort McMurray was unsettled by frequent unplanned outages, leading to increased frustration and expenses.

Despite first-stage hydrotransport pumps having a reputation for being durable against severe wear, the competitor’s pump used during this operation was barely able to handle 1,300 hours of runtime, falling short of a target of 4,000 hours before components required repair or replacement.

Rather than allow downtime, maintenance, labour and parts cost to mount any further, operators sought help from the experts at GIW.

The competitor’s pump was replaced with a custom-designed TBC-67 High-Pressure Pump, designed to be better suited to the aggressive wear and longer runtimes required for operations.

Data and on-line measurement techniques were utilised by GIW in order to provide a pump solution, which surpassed that of its competitors. GIW manufactured its solution using advanced materials and a custom hydraulic design tailored to the customer’s specifications.

During scheduled shutdowns, GIW’s TBC-67 pump totalled 4,800 hours of runtime, significantly exceeding the target.

Automated pump maintenance to optimise operations

In order to achieve optimal pump operation in rigorous applications, precise maintenance must be provided. A key maintenance procedure involves the adjustment of internal clearance between the pump impeller nose gap and suction liner

Remotely Adjusted Mechanical Suction Liner (RAMSL) technology allows for the mechanical control of suction liner adjustments during operations, which allows maintenance personnel to work more efficiently and quickly. Whereas traditionally adjustments had to be performed using hand tools near the rotating equipment, taking a full crew 32 weekly hours to complete, RAMSL technology makes it possible to achieve this with the push of a button.

Additionally, critical pump data such as real-time vibration readings collected by the RAMSL technology allows operators to make assessments without shutdowns.

Customer support and maintenance services for oil sands pumps

The KSB SupremeServ facility located in the Alberta oil sands is responsible for maintenance and refurbishment services for pumps and other rotating equipment.

Our focus on system analytic technologies and new wear programmes allow us to solve problems in the field before they occur.

You can count on GIW to provide personal assistance when and where you need it, either on the job site or at the service centre. This means you can spend more time running your business and less time worrying about equipment malfunctions.

Service solutions include:

• 24/7 emergency service and on-site repairs
• Asset management and qualification
• Parts wear analysis
• Pump system analysis
• Preventative maintenance programs
• Turnkey removal and installation

About KSB and GIW Minerals

GIW is a subsidiary of global pump and valve manufacturer KSB SE & Co KGaA, enabling worldwide supply.

KSB aims to be an innovative partner through the GIW Minerals product brand, providing highly effective and long-wearing slurry solutions.