As South Africa works to improve its power supply and stability, maintenance of power plants is receiving fresh attention. South African manufacturer of high-pressure jetting and vacuum equipment Werner Pumps says there is a definite uptick in demand for the vacuum trucks used for power plant cleaning and maintenance.

Werner Pumps national marketing manager George Jolly says the company has supplied five trucks to date to three different power stations – two in Limpopo and three in Mpumalanga (to two different power plants within the province).

“The Werner Pumps Indlovu Vacuum Truck and Impi Wet/Dry Combination Vacuum and Jetting trucks are the most popular options for power plant maintenance. The Indlovu unit is primarily being used for vacuum cleaning of wet and dry fly ash from the furnaces, as well as for sludges and slurries around the plants, and the Combi Vac Jet truck is being used for drain management within the plants.”

The Indlovu units (power take-off driven or independent engine variants) are engineered specifically for fly ash, slag and dry bulk removal in plant environments. With 10 000 ℓ to 12 500 ℓ stainless steel tanks and dual-cyclone filters, these units effectively suction hazardous or abrasive residues. Optional telescopic booms and water-supply tanks that support the liquid-ring vacuum pump bolster on-site flexibility.

The Impi unit pairs industrial-strength jetting with powerful vacuum suction in a single, highly versatile vehicle. Built on a chassis of the customer’s choice and carrying a tilting 12 500 ℓ 304 stainless steel tank, these units offer hydraulically driven jet pumps (295 ℓ/min at 135 bar) and a vacuum pump with a suction capacity of 1 850 m³/hr.

“At Werner Pumps, we pride ourselves on offering 100% locally manufactured, high quality, low maintenance and long-life equipment solutions with maintenance plans attached that allow maintenance to be done conveniently onsite.

“That’s been a big factor for the Limpopo customer. Previously, any repairs and maintenance to the trucks they were using needed to be done offsite, at the supplier’s facility a few hours’ drive away. This will improve efficiency and reduce downtime.”

Jolly adds that Werner Pumps sees room to further expand the company’s supply of equipment for power plant applications through its 1 000-bar and 2 800-bar ultrahigh-pressure cleaning machines.