Process Water – Brine Transportation

Scale build up reduction - highly concentrated lime solution

Case Study Nº

7 Customer

SQM Nueva Victoria-Iquique

Chile

2010

Working Conditions

Corrosion and material build-up with high concentration.

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 315 x 28.6, Class 15.

Application

Transport of highly concentrated brine solution.

Lenght

12 meters.

The Challenge

As the solution was being pumped, calcium carbonate deposits caused clogging in the existing HDPE pipe wall in both the straight parts of the circuit as well as the elbows. This clogging prevented the evaporation pools from receiving the required amount of lime water. Clogs formed every 2 months, affecting production.

The plant’s operators needed to reduce this effect or eliminate it by replacing the pipe with another.

Pexgol Solution

Due to the replacement of HDPE pipes with the smooth internal surface of Pexgol’s pipes, clogs were completely eliminated. In addition, the production and transportation of the new pipes in coils reduced the number of joints, which was a major source of deposition.

A Pexgol pipe was installed between two HDPE pipes and connected by Vitaulic joints 994. After two months the pipes were removed for inspection and no deposition was found, while the HDPE pipe did.

Since the installation of the new pipes in 2010, the original Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of the HDPE pipes – of two months – has been completely eliminated. Pexgol’s pipes have never failed or clogged.