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Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Estudo de Caso Nº

46

Cliente

Marine Farms
Chile

|

2017

Condições de Trabalho

Solução Pexgol

Pexgol 90 mm (6 mm wall thickness). HDPE 90 mm (10 mm wall thickness)

Aplicação

Fish feedinga

Comprimento

x

Categorias

Universidad Austral de Chile
Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Characteristics

At the time of the study, Marine Farms were fattening Pacific Salmon or Coho with a 7 month fattening cycle.
About the cultivation center:

  • One modified vessel with a feeding system built in.
  • Two main pipelines.
  • Selectors outside the vessel in a floating platform.
  • Set of feeder lines to the farming cages. The farming center has 15 cages but during the study only six cages, three for each feed
    line, were in operation.

Variables to be Measured

  • Wear.
  • Quantity of fine and broken generated.

Measuring Points

The measurement was made at the major inflection points, where by historical background and by the turbulence that occurs in these areas, the pipes are more affected by the abrasion of the food.

Sections for the Study of Thinknesses

Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Measuring Points for Piping (Ultrasound)

Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Results

The average rates of wear give an expected result for Pexgol piping compared with HDPE piping under the same operating conditions. Average values of 3.26 – 4.69 mm / month for HDPE versus 0.0 – 0.26 mm / month for Pexgol were obtained. It is concluded that the operational life of the HDPE is projected at only 2.6 – 3 months under the feed rates assessed as average. Under the same conditions the Pexgol is projected to last nearly 18 times as long, that is 4.5 years (54 months).

Comparative table of wear measurement results:

Measuring points (mm)HDPEPexgol
P14.690.26
P23.730.02
P33.260.00
P43.630.14

Economic Benefits

To analyze the economic benefit offered by the Pexgol pipeline for the salmon farming centers, considering only its longer lifespan due to greater resistance to wear, the total meters of feeding pipes of the cultivation center, its cost per meter and the replacement cost.

HDPEPexgol
Meters1.4401.440
Value USD/ m4.210.4
Total Pipe Cost$6,048$14,976
Replenishment cost 1st cycle$6,048
Replenishment cost 2nd cycle$6,048
Total Cost$18,144$14,976

 

To analyze the economic benefit offered by the Pexgol pipe due to the lower loss of fines and brokens, due to the fact that the Pexgol pipe has a roughness coefficient much lower than that of a conventional PE pipe, samples were taken from the Cellar, Dispenser and the output of the Selector.
This test was carried out in conjunction with the laboratory owned by the food supplier in Puerto Montt, through sieves required and recommended by the laboratory technicians. The measurements resulted in an economic saving of 63% only for this concept.

HDPE

CellarDispenserSelector
Percentage of fines and broken0.17%1.74%1.41%
Food used per cycle (kg)1,720,0001,720,0001,720,000
Amount of food loss (kg)3,00729.95724.257
Salmon feed cost (USD / kg)1.451.451.45
Loss in US dollarsUS$4,360US$43,438US$35,173

 

Pexgol

CellarDispenserSelector
Percentage of fines and broken0.14%1.08%0.52%
Food used per cycle (kg)1,720,0001,720,0001,720,000
Amount of food loss (kg)2,38618.6168.946
Salmon feed cost (USD / kg)1.451.451.45
Loss in US dollarsUS$3,459US$26,993US$12,971

Savings

SavingsUS$900US$16,445US$22,202
Percentage of Saving21%38%63%

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