Skip to content

Optimization of Lithium Brine Transportation

Moving from PVC to Pexgol: Ensuring Efficiency in Lithium Production

Estudo de Caso Nº

143

Cliente

Puna Mining
Argentina

|

2022

Condições de Trabalho

Flow: 77m³/h | Pressure: 60 psi

Solução Pexgol

Pexgol 2”, 5” & 6”, class 15

Aplicação

Transport of raw brine

Comprimento

2 km

Categorias

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

Estudos de Caso Relacionados

Water line feed from wells to mine

Mine Dewatering – High Pressure Conditions

Antofagasta Minerals, Michilla Mine
Chile

 | 

2011
Installation of a Drainage System between Dams in a Copper Mine.

Water Transport Between Dams

CODELCO – El Teniente Mine
Chile

 | 

2019
Pvc Pipe Replacement by Pexgol

Transportation of sodium sulfide

Magnelec S.A. de C.V.
Mexico

 | 

2018
Bridging the Gap between Durability and Functionality in Harsh Processing Environments.

Syncrude & Pexgol: A Collaboration Set to Reshape Slurry Transport

Syncrude
Canada

 | 

2022
Grey Water Transportation

Recovered Water Transportation

Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Palmarejo
Mexico

 | 

2017
Hot Caustic Line Replacement in Paper Mill

Pulp & Paper Mill

Svetlogorskiy Mill
Russia

 | 

2015