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

Replacement of Carbon Steel Pipes with Pexgol for the Transportation of Natural Gas.

Natural Gas Transportation with Pexgol

YPF
Argentina

 | 

2022
The innovative solution from Pexgol for Anglo American Peru’s piping challenges.

Navigating extreme conditions with Pexgol’s PE-X pipes

Anglo American Perú
Peru

 | 

2023
Hot sylvinite leach at 114°C/237°F

Mineral Processing – Potash Processing Plant

ICL group, Dead Sea Works
Israel

 | 

1987
Replacement of Steel Pipes with Pexgol for Testing Centrifugal Pumps.

Pexgol for Centrifugal Pump Test

Flowserve
Argentina

 | 

2022
Replacement of HDPE Pipe for Pexgol

Slurry Transportation

Tizapa Mine
Mexico

 | 

2015
Installation of a Pexgol Line for the Transport of Formation Water in an Oil Company.

Replacement of Metal Pipe with PE-X for Formation Water

Enap Sipetrol Ecuador
Ecuador

 | 

2022