Henco du Plooy of Bonfiglioli highlights the role that efficient drive solutions can play in the water and wastewater sectors.
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As is evident across sub-Sahara Africa, we are in the midst of an escalating water crises. The media is full of articles on how global warming is increasing the core temperature of the earth and recent studies predict that, by the year 2050, sub-Sahara Africa could be receiving 10% less rainfall every year.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of having access to clean water to help prevent and contain diseases was again highlighted. For billions of people, though, the lack access to safe clean water and insufficient government funding is going to make eradicating the virus an uphill battle for some time to come.
For more than sixty years, Bonfiglioli has been teaming up with OEMs and mining solution providers in supplying world-class products to mitigate against water scarcity. From desalination to purification, the water and wastewater sector is complex and requires reliable solutions. With a full portfolio of drive and automation products, Bonfiglioli can offer efficient solutions for multiple applications in support of wastewater treatment plants.
Low maintenance, versatility, efficiency and reliability are fundamental features required for water and wastewater processes. Through the precise control of drive speeds, we are able to supply energy saving solutions for pumps, mixers, aerators, clarifiers, filters, water screens and conveyors.
The Bonfiglioli range covers the needs for mechanical power transmissions and electronic controls. “Our heavy duty products are designed to serve applications that demand extremely high radial, axial and torque loads, which are often beyond the scope of most power transmission manufacturers,” says Du Plooy.
Complete solutions for mixing, purification and fermentation applications are available, which require robust, high-quality products that deliver superior reliability. Advanced mechatronic solutions ensure return on investment, result in lower operating costs and maximise the efficiency of water installations.
“Our range of HDP Series parallel shaft gearboxes, HDO Series bevel helical gearboxes and 300 Series planetary gearboxes offer system designers ultimate flexibility in choosing transmission architecture and transmissible power. To increase the efficiency of the solutions, these gearmotors can be driven by inverters to optimise performance, which reduce consumption and the system’s operating costs. A complete list of options is also available to cover installation, cooling and lubrication needs and to add extra functionality,” Du Plooy says.
More than 30% of operational costs can be attributed to energy consumption. Optimising this aspect using advanced and integrated mechatronic solutions is a key factor in reducing an installation’s TCO – in some cases considerably. This also has benefits in terms of maintenance, since the electronic control of the system reduces the stresses that electro-mechanical components are subjected too.
Certification by TÜV and DNV of the Quality Systems of all Bonfiglioli production and assembly plants is testament to the significantly greater system efficiencies and lower operating cost available.
“The Bonfiglioli ‘forever forward’ motto is testament to our determination continue to partner with both public and private enterprises in the fight against relieving water shortages and the treatment of wastewater,” concludes Du Plooy.
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