Skip to content

Mineral Processing – Brine Transportation

Reduction of material build-up in brine and brine/acid lines

Case Study Nº

8

Customer

SQM,Pedro Valvidia Mine
Chile

|

2010

Working Conditions

Ambient temperature -5°C to 0°C (32°F to 23°F). High level of material build-up and corrosion inside the pipe. Working pressure: 15 bar.

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol and elbows 160×14.6, Class 15.

Application

Brine and acid transportation.

Lenght

12 meters.

Categories

Mineral Processing - Brine Transportation

The Challenge

As the brine water and acid solution was being transported by the initial HDPE pipeline, salts were sticking to the pipe walls, reducing the inner diameter. Due to the low ambient temperatures, deposits of calcium sulfate formed on the inner wall of the pipes and on the elbows.

The matter was critical since the problem forced complete halting of work at the plant as well as lot of maintenance and reduction of production capacity.

Pexgol Solution

SQM decided to replace its HDPE pipes and elbows with Pexgol’s. Due to the especially smooth internal surface of Pexgol’s pipes and elbows, the replacement of HDPE pipes with Pexgol eliminated the problem of chemical deposits. This resulted in fewer work interruptions and improved production capacity.

The production and transportation of Pexgol’s pipes in coils also reduces the number of joints and possibility of clogging. As a result, it reduced maintenance costs and brought the end of frequent forced halts in the work processes at the plant.

The original mean time between failures (MTBF) of the HDPE pipes was one month. Since changing to Pexgol in 2010, no sign of failure has been detected.

Related Case Studies

 How Pexgol streamlined water transportation at Zuccardi Winery

Fast and Reliable Solution for Winemaking Processes

Zuccardi Winery
Argentina

 | 

2024
Pexgol Pipe to Transport Effluents at 30°C / 86°F in an Underground Mine.

Pumping Mining Effluents

AngloGold Ashanti
Brazil

 | 

2019
Pexgol Pipe Installation for Open Pit Mine Drainage.

Efficient Open Pit Mine Drainage

BHP Escondida Mine
Chile

 | 

2022
Transforming water transportation with Pexgol technology

Pexgol’s Solution for CFE: A Leap in Durability and Efficiency

Comisión Federal de Electricidad
Mexico

 | 

2023
Corrosion-resistant, lightweight piping for challenging mining environment.

Pexgol Enhances Lithium Brine Well Testing Manifolds

Gaana Servicios Mineros
Argentina

 | 

2024
Work with High Pressures and Extreme Ambient Temperature

Water Transport in Copper Mine

Zaldivar SPA Mine
Chile

 | 

2018