Skip to content

Pexgol: Significant Pipe Wall Scale Reduction

The mine was facing scaling issues with their existing HDPE pipes, which required replacement every two weeks. The introduction of Pexgol pipes drastically reduced scaling.

Case Study Nº

137

Customer

Copper Mine
USA

|

2022

Working Conditions

Temperature: Ambient | Flow: 60 gpm – 6ft/s | Pressure: 20 psi

Pexgol Pipes

Application

Pilot Study: Scaling performance comparison between same sized Pexgol & HDPE pipes

Lenght

304 m / 1,000 ft

Categories

The mine was facing scaling issues with their existing HDPE pipes, which required replacement every two weeks. The introduction of Pexgol pipes drastically reduced scaling.

Introduction

A prominent copper mine in Arizona that uses an in-situ copper ore recovery process, experienced scaling issues in the existing HDPE (PE 4710) piping deployed in the rinse cycle phase of ore extraction.
Scaling in the HDPE pipes caused clogging and despite the use of scale inhibitors and cleaning, some pipes were still being replaced too frequently.

The Problem

Increased operational maintenance and reduced efficiency of the HDPE pipes
created the need for a more efficient, long-term solution.

Pexgol Solution

Pexgol was proposed as the solution for reduced scaling.
A controlled pilot study was commissioned by the mine to compare gypsum slurry pumped through Pexgol vs HDPE (PE 4710) for a period of 4 weeks.
Various flow velocities, pressures and ambient temperatures were monitored and compared after 2 and 4 weeks.

Results

The Pexgol pipes showed almost no scaling compared with the scaled HDPE pipes after 2 and 4 weeks.
It was recommended that Pexgol replace HDPE at the rinse cycle phase of ore extraction of the mine.

Conclusion

Pexgol pipes are a viable solution for similar slurry applications.

Related Case Studies

Dry Gas Line for Pump Activation.

Dry Gas Transportation

ExxonMobil
Argentina

 | 

2020
In an engineering challenge, the Pexgol 225 mm (8”) Class 15 pipe proved to be the perfect solution for transporting tailings at the Mina Capela mining complex.

Environmental Protection and Efficiency in Tailings Management

Mina Capella - Grupo Peñoles
Mexico

 | 

2023
Pexgol helped Profertil to overcome the corrosion challenge in its fire protection network.

From carbon steel to Pexgol: A victory against corrosion

Profertil
Argentina

 | 

2021
EMESA Optimizes Formation Water Transportation in Mendoza.

Pexgol’s Solution in Secondary Recovery for EMESA

EMESA
Argentina

 | 

2023
Pexgol Fittings for Brine Transportation at a Brazilian Chemical Company.

High Corrosion Resistance Against Brine

Unipar Carbocloro
Brazil

 | 

2019
Bridging the Gap between Durability and Functionality in Harsh Processing Environments.

Syncrude & Pexgol: A Collaboration Set to Reshape Slurry Transport

Syncrude
Canada

 | 

2022