Special NETZSCH NEMO^® SY progressing cavity pumps feature inspection openings, redundant seals, and design for stable, reduced pressure

NETZSCH Pumps North America, LLC, experts in solutions designed specifically for difficult pumping applications, announces that global parent company NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH, headquartered in Germany, has developed special equipment for mobile mix loading vehicles used to convey emulsified explosives. The company has extensively reworked its proven NEMO^® SY progressing cavity pump to implement design changes and procedures for safe conveyance of this variety of explosives.

Emulsion explosives and mixes, such as ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil), make it possible to store the individual components of explosive material separately. This eliminates much of the risk, difficulty, and expense of storing and transporting live explosives on construction sites. Instead, explosive is not mixed until it is on site, as soon as it is needed.

NETZSCH NEMO SY progressing cavity pumps provide pressure-stable conveyance without any pulsation or shear forces, critical to the safe transport of explosive materials. The technology also allows for the transport of filled materials, such as emulsion already sensitized with hollow microspheres. The length of the rotor-stator has been specially shortened for this application to reduce pressure. The pump can also be fitted with a safety stator, which has grooved walls to reduce strength so the stator can open in a more controlled way if the pressure increases too much.

The NETZSCH NEMO SY progressing cavity pumps are specially designed for explosive material conveyance with two inspection openings above the joints of the coupling rod. These openings make it possible for operators to check joint lubrication and seal integrity while the pump is in operation to avoid dangerous heat generation from metal-on-metal friction.

The pumps’ geared K-joints feature a double seal to deliver increased safety by eliminating oil leakage. If one of the joints’ rubber sleeves becomes cracked, there is a second one beneath it to maintain the seal. In addition, the coupling rod is drilled through to allow for pressure testing of the joints.

The pump is set in motion using a hydraulic drive connected to a vehicle motor, such as that of the transport truck. The hydraulic system saves space over an electric motor and eliminates the need for supplying power to the pump on the job site These NEMO SY pumps have also been constructed to avoid sparking in the drive as much as possible providing additional explosion protection.