Skip to content

Optimization of Lithium Brine Transportation

Moving from PVC to Pexgol: Ensuring Efficiency in Lithium Production

Case Study Nº

143

Customer

Puna Mining
Argentina

|

2022

Working Conditions

Flow: 77m³/h | Pressure: 60 psi

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 2”, 5” & 6”, class 15

Application

Transport of raw brine

Lenght

2 km

Categories

Optimization of Lithium Brine Transportation

The Challenge

Puna Mining S.A., a pioneer in high-quality battery-grade lithium carbonate production (99.5% purity) in Argentina, faced operational challenges with its brine transportation system. Founded in 2017 by Pablo Alurralde and later forming a joint venture with Argosy Minerals Ltd., the company was committed to utilizing cutting-edge technology in its production processes. However, their existing PVC piping presented significant limitations, requiring constant maintenance, frequent pipe replacements, and struggling with ongoing crystallization issues, which directly affected efficiency and increased operational costs.

Pexgol Solution

Pexgol stepped in with a tailored solution to address Puna Mining’s challenges.
The introduction of Pexgol pipes of 6, 2, and 5 inches over a 2-kilometer stretch was designed to meet the specific demands of raw brine transportation.
The complete installation was accomplished in just three days, highlighting the ease and efficiency of Pexgol pipes.
ArgPex provided on-site training to ensure a smooth and optimized installation process.

Benefits of Switching to Pexgol
By adopting Pexgol pipes, the following advantages were realized:

  • Rapid installation
  • High chemical and corrosion resistance
  • Material flexibility
  • Long lifespan
  • Reduced thermal conductivity
  • Lightweight pipes
  • Availability in long rolls for easier handling and installation

Related Case Studies

Boosting Productivity and Reducing Maintenance in Livestock Feed Production.

From Steel Struggles to Pexgol Progress

Ambar
Israel

 | 

2022
Линии подачи пресс-фильтра LASTA2

Транспортировка концентрированной медной руды

Компания BHP Billiton, месторождение, Olympic Dam, Австралия
Австралия

 | 

2014
Installation of a drainage system between a well and a mining dam.

Drinking Water on Sloping Terrain

AquaMag
Colombia

 | 

2019
Монтаж труб Pexgol на установке подготовки пластовой воды.

Установка водоподготовки для вторичной закачки

YPF
Аргентина

 | 

2020
Уменьшение нарастания материала в линиях рассола и раствора кислоты

Переработка полезных ископаемых. Транспортировка рассола

Компания SQM, шахта Pedro Valvidia
Чили

 | 

2010
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.

Pexgol: Significant Pipe Wall Scale Reduction

Copper Mine
USA

 | 

2022