⎪ Water, wastewater and pumping solutions ⎪
are exactly the issues we have considered and served as guiding principles for our Imvubu pump. Our design directly addresses the prob- lems encountered in the field. We designed this pump specifically for Africa, which is why it is designed to be easily maintained using basic tools and can be speed-adjusted through simple pulley changes. It can also perform the job of two pumps by easily transitioning from low to high heads and low to high flows, eliminating the need for a second pump. It can even be mounted on diesel skids for remote pumping or emergency use during floods. It is versatile, strong and practical,” says Hugo. Applications extend beyond municipal wastewater to mining sumps, industrial efflu - ent, pulp and paper, agricultural waste dams, river abstraction and portable dewatering units. The pump has already proven itself during extended testing at the Drakenstein Wastewater Treatment Works in the Western Cape, where it has operated continuously with excellent results. Because the KSB Imvubu pump is 100% lo - cally manufactured, it aligns strongly with the Department of Trade and Industry’s localisa- tion incentives, which support South African industry and local employment. It also positions KSB Pumps and Valves as a major contributor in the export of high-value engineered products into Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions
Pump performance specifications Max Flow: 429.4 m³/h Max Head: 47.6 m Suction Size: 150 NB (6”) Discharge Size: 150 NB (6”) Solids Handling: 77.3 mm BEP Flow: 305 m³/h BEP Head: 33 m BEP efficiency, ŋ: 65% Operating temp: up to 80°C “This is a pump we are proud to build in South Africa, as it keeps our people employed and shows that we can compete and lead in- ternational brands. We like to think that we do not follow; we leapfrog. Our Imvubu pump is a direct answer for many of the failures mak- ing national headlines, and the timing in this period of regeneration could not be more sig- nificant. Municipalities and utilities urgently need equipment that can keep working away with minimum attention and maintenance to clear the backlog – and we are proud to say the answer is the KSB Imvubu,” Hugo concludes. www.ksb.com where similarly robust and versatile pumps are required.
an inspection hatch that allows staff to clear blockages without removing the suction cover, a significant advantage for treatment plant technicians and municipal maintenance teams. “We know that South Africa’s wastewater infrastructure is under immense strain with limited resources and ever-rising sewage vol- umes, which means equipment must be robust and easy to service to ensure its longevity. These The KSB Imvubu pump was developed using advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to redesign the impeller, volute and hydraulic passageways for maximum efficiency and clog-free performance.
Helping to solve wastewater challenges
KSB Pumps and Valves is doubling its efforts to help the Government and municipalities find practical and technical solutions to the growing wastewater challenges gripping large parts of the country. As part of a vast global company, the local operation is leveraging its extensive skills base to collaborate with local wastewater service providers in developing innovative solutions for projects of all sizes, ranging from national to municipal and even smaller, case-by-case mini-projects. “We understand the challenges our mu- nicipalities face and as a result we are bringing all our expertise locally as well as internation- ally to the table to allow us to assist wherever there are wastewater projects no matter the size or complexity – from small schools to large industrial areas and entire cities,” says KSB Pumps and Valves Market Area Manager for Water, Wastewater and Irrigation, Hugo du Plessis. “As a result of challenges at the grassroots level, we have even identified a strong need for an upgrade in our wastewater portfolio and have now introduced this new locally developed and game-changing wastewater pump. “These types of innovations, combined
with advanced technical services and a wide array of products, are part of our renewed drive to help address wastewater issues in conjunction with municipalities in the coun- try. We also remain mindful of budgetary constraints and have worked within these limits to provide products and services that are cost-effective, versatile and reliable. “At the same time, we have sourced other suitable solutions from across the globe that have been added to our local arsenal. Now, our next step is to work with consulting engineers and end users from various regions from the inception of their projects to ensure pump stations and treatment plants are designed to work effectively for at least the next 20 to 30 years,” says Du Plessis. KSB Pumps and Valves is well-positioned to provide expertise for all aspects of waste- water handling, from physical requirements to suction conditions in pump stations and specialised equipment in treatment plants, to submersible pumps, mixers and flow enhanc - ers. The company offers uniquely tailored so- lutions across every stage of the wastewater process, with an extensive range of products that adhere to strict global standards for qual- ity, efficiency, and longevity. “Our commitment extends beyond merely
selling products. We work with government agencies, municipalities, and engineers to pro- vide trusted technical consultation, training and collaboration, ensuring projects succeed. We have also recently launched a series of new products, designed and manufactured locally to meet local conditions, as well as offering products from our KSB global op- erations that are tailored to local conditions. We can bring fast solutions to the coun- try’s wastewater needs that are locally de- veloped and ideally suited to our local needs,” concludes Hugo du Plessis. www.ksb.com KSB collaborates with government agencies, municipalities and engineers to ensure projects succeed.
November-December 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 11
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