SLD Pumps and Power introduce pipe floats

Company offers hose floats to aggregates industry to help increase pumping efficiency

AS part of their expanding product range and services to the UK aggregates industry, SLD Pumps and Power have sourced, tested and are now stocking 4in and 12in pipe floats for pump hoses, the use of which will help reduce pump wear as well as the risk of breakdown under heavy-duty loading.

Heavy solids pumping applications can put strain on submerged hoses, especially when the suction hose is not in a clean body of water, but there is a solution which allows hoses to be placed in the deepest part of a lagoon and eliminates the chance of sucking up heavy solid content by preventing the suction head resting on the bottom of the lagoon.

That solution is to attach the SLD hose floats at regular 3m intervals along the hose. Tapered ends to the floats decrease water and wind resistance, while the tapered insides allow hoses to move freely. Floats can also be used to allow discharge lines to be placed on a body of water when space is at a premium. Moreover, the floats can be retrofitted to any hose.

SLD Pumps and Power’s national contracts manager, Richard Broughton, commented: ‘This service adds to our one-stop shop offer for the aggregates industry. This way of working is optimal and increases pump reliability as it avoids settlement issues.’