SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT Pipes with added protection
Jorge Solorio details a solution for mineral processing plants to deploy when they are transporting aggressive chemicals
M
ineral processing is extremely demanding on piping infrastructure. T e challenge of maintaining long-term reliability is considerable
Corzan CPVC piping used for the transportation of aggressive chemicals
and these diffi culties are expected to increase. Existing pits and mine sites are now frequently extracting ores of lower concentration from deeper in the earth’s crust, causing a shift in the chemistry of processed ores. Whether leaching precious materials from the ground or processing raw materials after excavation, the highly corrosive chemicals typically used throughout various mining operations can cause ongoing maintenance challenges and costly, premature failures for metallic piping systems. Chemicals that are commonly used in various mining operations – often at high temperatures, can wreak havoc on the integrity of many piping systems. By resisting the corrosion, sedimentation and crystallisation that compromise metallic systems, Corzan CPVC can prove advantageous for a variety of mineral processing applications, including electrolysis operations, electrowinning, electrorefi ning, acid service lines, tailings lines, gas vent scrubbers, froth fl otation operations and wastewater treatment. T is translates to lower life-cycle costs, as well as the reduction of maintenance time and corrosion monitoring. Coupled with the benefi ts that CPVC can off er through its simplifi ed solvent welding
installation process and stable pricing, replacing a metallic system with this alternative solution can be benefi cial.
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Corrosion resistance Corzan CPVC is an engineered thermoplastic produced by the chlorination of polyvinyl chloride resin. It off ers impressive resistance due to its mechanical strength, which allows it to be corrosion resistant and withstand high- temperature applications, thereby increasing the life of the system. Unlike metal industrial piping systems, this type of pipe will never pit or scale since it doesn’t react to most mineral acids, bases, salts and aliphatic hydrocarbons. A key advantage that Corzan CPVC pipe
has over metallic pipe is a smooth inner surface, which is resistant to scaling and fouling. T is means that friction pressure losses in the fl uid fl ow are minimised from the beginning and do not signifi cantly increase as the system ages, as can be the case with metal pipes subject to scaling. T e fl ow rate remains consistent throughout the life of system and is never compromised by pitting or scaling. T is not only improves productivity and limits downtime over the years but, in some cases, it also means that considerable cost savings may be realised through the ability to actually downsize the piping system at the outset. And, with a smaller pipe comes increased energy savings, as less energy is required to move the fl uid through the pipe. Corzan piping systems have a smooth inner surface and resist scaling and fouling, which minimises friction pressure losses in the fl uid fl ow, resulting in optimum fl ow rates. At high temperatures, Corzan CPVC remains mechanically strong. One can expect the pressure-bearing capabilities will last for 50 years or more, providing long lasting performance that will reduce costs to facilities. T e piping is lightweight and only requires simple tools for installation, and maintenance is less complex – which reduces labour time. When properly installed, a solvent-welded Corzan joint becomes the strongest part of the entire piping system. Its maker says that this piping is safer to operate than metal systems as its thermal
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