MechChem Africa September-October 2025

New wastewater pump for local municipalities and industries The latest wastewater pump from KSB Pumps and Valves is making waves in the industry due to a host of new features that provide users with an ultra-durable, long-service, blockage-resistant pump with lower maintenance requirements than traditional wastewater pumps.

A t a challenging time for municipali ties and industrial pump users, as ageing infrastructure fails and main tenance requirements for older pumps become increasingly demanding, the KSB Amarex Pro submersible pump provides solutions to address many of the challenges now and in the future. According to KSB Pumps and Valves' waste water market area manager, Hugo du Plessis, the new series is “a game changer for municipal and industrial pump stations alike”. They are built for reliability and ease of use, featuring technologically advanced hydraulic design and advanced smart capabilities for improved management. “At the core of KSB’s Amarex innovations is the open dual vane D max impeller for improved hydraulic efficiency and unsurpassed energy savings, particularly in heavy-duty abrasive or aggressive waste water environments. “The pumps are coupled to IE5 class motors to improve efficiency further, and a range of

smart features allows users to run the pump correctly for different conditions. It monitors its condition in real-time, automatically detect ing blockages, engaging in de-ragging routines, and adjusting its operating point to match system demands, a feature that significantly reduces wear and the need for unscheduled maintenance. “With the Amarex Pro, clients can expect far fewer breakdowns. Its automatic clog detection and soft start technology reduce stress on the system, and integrated motor and vibration protection give operators full confidence in continuous operations.” Du Plessis adds that one of the pump’s best features is its plug-and-play simplicity. Each unit is pre set to the client's specified duty point, requiring little more than connection to KSB’s free ServiceTool to fine-tune performance. The customer interface is very intuitive, making commissioning and configuration straightfor ward even in remote sites. The range is also designed to fulfil multiple people and partners with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully repair, maintain, install and fault-find KSB products and related equipment. It also aims to ensure that end users are educated in how to operate our pumps efficiently and reliably,” says Hawkins. The training offered at the SupremeServ Academy is designed to cater to a diverse audience, including artisans, technicians, engineers, sales teams, certified service partners, and clients. It encompasses over 280 training modules, covering everything from basic pump theory and pump selection to industry-specific applications, model-specific maintenance, value-added products such as Pump-Guard, and even site installation and setup simulation training. These modules vary in duration, ranging from one-day to week-long courses, and offer a blend of theoretical and interactive content depending on the needs of participants. While the Academy is currently not-for-profit gen erating centre, course costs are structured to cover facilitator fees, training materials and related travel or accommodation expenses,

particularly when sessions are delivered off-site. “Knowledge is power, and by completing our courses, our staff improve their skillsets and meet personal development goals. Certification also assures our clients that qualified professionals are carrying out our work,” Hawkins adds. Training is mainly held at the KSB’s Jet Park facility, where a well-equipped lecture room accommodates up to 16 participants. The room features a Clevertouch screen, individual workstations, and display models of pumps and components. Although still in its early stages, the academy has already hosted several suc cessful courses, including SAPMA’s advanced pump training and API standards overview. Upcoming sessions, designed for specific industry personnel, such as those involved in boiler water circulating pumps for our energy partners, are already scheduled. Phase two of the Academy, which is cur rently underway, will include a dedicated practical workshop, allowing for hands-on training and product familiarisation. www.ksb.com “KSB’s mission is to deliver solutions that save both energy and operational hassle. Being smart, efficient and reliable, the AmarexPro is a great example of this. It’s precisely what South Africa’s pump station operators need,” Hugo du Plessis concludes. www.ksb.com/en-za roles with its ‘adaptive operating point’ flexibil ity, which covers two to three duty sizes with a single pump. This translates to fewer product variants and reduces spare parts stock in the field. Its toughness and low-maintenance design are also impressive, with each pump supplied with a hard iron (G2) impeller and a choice of mechanical seals tailored to cope with abrasive sludges and aggressive waste water. A range of adapter claws and the easy-to-navigate GoToAmarex app also ensure upgrades to exist ing installations are seamless and fast. The new Amarex Pro from KSB is built for reliability and ease of use, featuring technologically advanced hydraulic design and advanced smart capabilities for improved pump management.

KSB Academy for next-generation experts

KSB Pumps and Valves has invested in a specialised training centre designed to equip internal and branch staff, as well as certified partners, with in-depth knowledge of KSB products and systems. Clients are also catered to through 1 st line maintenance and operator training. According to Craig Hawkins, who heads KSB’s SupremeServ Academy, the initiative was launched due to the growing need for skills development across KSB’s service value chain, particularly in support of the company’s extensive pump portfolio. “Our academy is designed to arm our Craig Hawkins presents at KSB’s SupremeServ Academy.

24 ¦ MechChem Africa • September-October 2025