Dewatering Pump Pressure Monitoring

Early instability detection and improved pump protection

Pressure

Quick Overview

Problem

Dewatering pumps operate under varying hydraulic conditions, and pressure performance is not always continuously monitored.

Solution

SENSAiO pressure sensors provide continuous monitoring of pump discharge and suction pressure.

Value

Improved visibility on pump operation, supporting earlier detection of abnormal hydraulic behavior.

ATEX

Suitable for hazardous mining environments where applicable, compliant with ATEX / IECEx requirements.

The Operational Challenge

Dewatering pumps are essential in mining operations to:

  • Remove groundwater or process water
  • Maintain dry working conditions
  • Prevent flooding of pits or underground galleries

These systems often operate under dynamic conditions influenced by:

  • Water inflow variability
  • Pump operation conditions
  • Pipeline resistance
  • Elevation changes

From a physical perspective:

  • Pump operation creates a pressure increase between suction and discharge
  • Pressure levels reflect flow rate, system resistance, and pump efficiency
  • Changes in hydraulic conditions directly affect pressure behavior

Typical issues include:

  • Pump wear or degradation
  • Blockage in suction or discharge lines
  • Air ingress or cavitation conditions
  • Leakage or pipeline damage

Detection challenges include:

  • Remote or distributed pump installations
  • Limited continuous instrumentation
  • Reliance on periodic inspection
  • Difficulty detecting gradual performance degradation

As a result, abnormal pump behavior may not be immediately identified.

Why Pressure Monitoring Matters

Pressure is a direct indicator of pump hydraulic performance.

By continuously monitoring pressure:

  • Pump operating conditions can be tracked
  • Deviations from expected performance can be identified
  • Trends indicating gradual changes can be observed

Typical interpretations include:

  • Reduced discharge pressure may indicate pump wear or leakage
  • Increased pressure may indicate downstream restriction
  • Suction pressure drops may correlate with cavitation risk or intake blockage

Pressure data reflects how effectively the pump transfers energy to the fluid.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO deploys wireless pressure sensors installed at:

  • Pump suction points
  • Pump discharge points
  • Critical pipeline sections

Sensors measure pressure and transmit data via LoRaWAN to a centralized monitoring platform.

The system provides:

  • Continuous pressure monitoring
  • Trend analysis over time
  • Alerts on abnormal pressure deviations

It is important to clarify that:

  • SENSAiO is a monitoring-only system
  • It does not control pump operation
  • It does not regulate flow or pressure
  • It does not replace pump protection systems or safety controls

The system supports operational awareness and maintenance planning.

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Pump performance visibility Limited / periodic Continuous monitoring
Detection of abnormal behavior Delayed Earlier identification
Maintenance approach Reactive More condition-informed
Operational reliability awareness Low Improved through pressure trends

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Certain dewatering environments may involve hazardous conditions. SENSAiO sensors:

  • Are available with ATEX / IECEx certification where required
  • Are designed for harsh mining environments
  • Can be installed on pump systems and pipelines

All equipment is delivered with appropriate certification documentation.

SENSAiO systems are not safety systems and do not replace pump protection devices, emergency shutdown systems, or regulatory safety requirements.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, MQTT, REST API

Gateways

Compatible with standard LoRaWAN gateways (Kerlink, Multitech, Cisco, etc.)

Systems

Integration with mining process and maintenance platforms

Deployment

Suitable for retrofit on existing pump installations

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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