Skip to content

Process Plant: Transport of Leached Slurry

Replacement of Titanium Pipes by Pexgol Pipes to Transport Acid Solution.

Case Study Nº

62

Customer

Barrick Gold – Pueblo Viejo
Dominican Republic

|

2018

Working Conditions

Acid solution at 100°C. Chemical Composition: SiO2 64%; Al203 11.25%; As 0.05%; Ca 0.17%; Cr 0.01%; Cu 0.03%; Fe 5.37%; K 0.04%; Mg 0.02%; Na 0.08%; Pb 0.04%; Zn 0.17%

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 63 mm (2”), Class 15

Application

Slurry transportation

Lenght

2 m / 6.5 ft flanged sections 45° & 90° prefabricated elbows 100 m / 328 ft coils

Categories

Replacement of Titanium Pipes by Pexgol Pipes to Transport Acid Solution.

The Challenge

Barrick Gold at the Pueblo Viejo mine was transporting slurry (acid solution) through titanium pipes GR2, SCH80S 2 for the drainage of the autoclaves, using this material due to the combination of low pH and abrasion in the fluid.

When using titanium, the tubes and elbows needed to be replaced on average between 3 and 6 months due to wear.

Pexgol Solution

The team of Pexgol together with the engineers of the Process Plant decided to carry out a test to replace a 2 meter (6.5 ft) section of their titanium pipe.

The first Pexgol pipe was installed at the end of the year 2017. This pipe section is still in operation, surpassing on a large scale the service life with the pipeline used previously.

Given the success of the test, almoust the rest of the line has been replaced, including 45° and 90° prefabricated elbows, thus avoiding plant stoppages and unnecessary losses.

Due to the difference in temperature at the time of installation and the operating conditions, part of the installed tubes suffered the “snake” effect. Due to aesthetic and operational issues, this problem was solved by installing additional support, leaving the tubes straight and firm.
Pexgol pipes resistance to temperature and abrasion combined with the smooth internal surface made the installation a success.

Related Case Studies

Moving from PVC to Pexgol: Ensuring Efficiency in Lithium Production

Optimization of Lithium Brine Transportation

Puna Mining
Argentina

 | 

2022
Transport Of Palm Oil Slurry At 95°C.

Transport of Palm Oil Slurry

Loma Fresca
Colombia

 | 

2017
Delivering Durability and Flexibility for a Sustainable Approach to Space Access.

Pioneering Space Launches with Ground-breaking Piping Solutions

SpinLaunch
USA

 | 

2021
Dewatering without Supports

Open Cast Mine Dewatering

El Volcan Mine Arcelor Mittal
Mexico

 | 

2017
Lasta2 Filter Press Feed Lines

Concentrated Copper Transportation

BHP Billiton, Olympic Dam, Australia
Australia

 | 

2014
The Original Design for a Wastewater Treatment Plant included Stainless Steel Pipes, but after discovering the Superior Capabilities of Pexgol Pipes, the Entire Facility was Switched Over.

New Wastewater Treatment Plant with Pexgol Pipes

Wastewater Treatment Plant
Israel

 | 

2022