Aggregates Manager

July 2017

Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine

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AGGREGATES MANAGER / July 2017 29 while ensuring maximum equipment up- time at the lowest overall cost. Service technicians are fully equipped with the tools and parts required to carry out in- spections and provide specialized support and on-site repairs. One such company to embrace this approach with positive results is Vista Sand, located in Granbury, Texas. Increasing production expanded equipment needs According to the U.S. Geological Survey, construction sand and gravel valued at $7.2 billion was produced by an estimated 4,100 companies and government agencies across the United States in 2015. The demand for 'frac sand' has jumped in the past several years as thousands of oil and natural gas wells are being stimu- lated using the hydraulic fracturing process. In fact, between 2009 and 2012, the amount of frac sand used by the oil and gas industry has tripled, creating a billion-dollar frac sand in- dustry in a very short time. Vista Sand specializes in dry silica sand for oil and gas fracturing. At its Granbury mine, the company excavates, washes, and dries silica sand for applications including hy- draulic fracturing, building products, and cushion-sand, among others. This demands flexible, reliable, and robust dewatering equipment to keep operations running around the clock to meet growing market demand for sand solutions. In 2014, an increase in production levels at the mine meant that additional dewatering solutions were required. The company was keen to take a proactive approach to en- sure reliability and efficiency in dewatering operations. It approached Xylem to partner with them. "A number of our mine managers had worked with Xylem previously, using its Godwin technology at various opera- tions in Oregon and Montana, and so we were aware of the company's mine water management expertise and broad portfolio of solutions," says Nate Peterson, Vista Sand's manager of geology and environmental. Getting the right equipment Achieving sustained high-performance of pumps in aggre- gate applications is dependent not only on the quality of the pumps and piping, but also on matching the equipment Daily equipment inspections are essential in maintaining pumping operations. Tightening flange and hose connections reduces the risk of spills or leaks, improving pump pressure and performance. An oil change is conducted to safeguard the pump's engine. Acting as a lubricant, clean oil helps to extend engine life, reducing the risk of breakdowns and repairs.

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