Paskov Mine: New Double Aggregate Saves Both Time and Electricity

STAŘÍČ – The obsolete double aggregate in the main pumping station of Paskov Mine IV (Staříč Mining Plant) has been replaced by the new type 150-CDB-400. The mine water pumping to the surface will thereby shorten by approximately one third. Even though it was considerable investment, it will result, at the present, economically unfavourable times, in desirable effects, particularly in an electricity saving of approximately CZK 45,000 per month.

“It was necessary to replace the worn old machine set, which had been driving water to the  surface since the commissioning of the main pumping station, i.e. since January 2005,“ informed Zdeněk Koval, Head of Mine Transport in the Paskov Mine. Due to its continuous operation, this machine started to lose its capacity, which has resulted in its higher operation costs.

Representatives of the supplier, traditional pump manufacturer, also went down the shaft with the new double aggregate. “They checked the assembly, piping, measuring equipment, pipe connections and alignment. With the running equipment, they checked bearing vibrations, bearing temperature, low-pressure and high-pressure pump pressure, and adjusted the seals,“ Koval commented on their visit.

The double aggregate consists of a low-pressure clockwise pump, from which mine water is driven to its second section, a high-pressure anti-clockwise pump. Its head of delivery is 921 metres. On the surface, such water is pumped to the collecting reservoir. The main pumping station is provided with three machine sets 150-CDB-400, all of which will gradually be repaired, which will bring further savings of both electricity and operating labour costs.

(Radek Lukša)