The 411 on Mining Slurry Pipelines

The mining industry（Industrial Pipes） all over the world tends to make use of slurry pipelines for transportation of mineral concentrate from mineral processing plants situated close to the mine. The ore concentrates are mixed with water, after which it is pumped into pipelines to a internet site where the mixture is shipped to other areas for further processing activities.

The use of slurry pipelines gives visible economic positive aspects when in comparison with transport by railway, particularly in conditions where mines are positioned in extremely remote places. Transportation of tailings via slurry pipes also decreases impact on the atmosphere. These pipelines are often combined with current railway infrastructures, typically installed above ground, with pipes following the routes in the rail tracks.

Ahead of solids may be transported：Before mining solids（Mining Pipes） are prepared to be transported, they have to undergo a procedure of pulverizations, soon after which the pulverized material is mixed with water in order to kind a paste, or slurry. Via the slurry pipeline, this substance is then deposited into a mixing tank which includes huge rotating wheels to facilitate the uniform mixing of the water as well as the particles. Soon after this method, the slurry is pumped out by means of the pipeline right after which it truly is transported over extended distances, powered by particular plungers or piston pumps, aided by gravity and various ground level elevation techniques.

Fine and coarse slurry：The substance of finely ground solid particles in liquid is named fine slurry, whereas larger particles mixed in with all the liquid make up coarse slurry. When transporting coarse slurry in pipelines where - in an effort to suspend the solids - the velocity needs to become high, in depth abrasion towards the pipe too as the pumps can take spot, paired with higher energy consumption. Consequently, coarse slurry pipelines are often only economical and practical when employed over shorter distances, often not a lot additional than several kilometers away in the mine. Conversely, fine slurry is much much less abrasive and may consequently be transported more than longer distances without having causing as well a lot abrasive damage towards the slurry pipes.

Handling extreme abrasion：Slurry pipelines are engineered in such a way that abrasion from solids transportation as well as corrosion caused by the soil is kept to a minimum. For this purpose, most pipelines are coated with high-strength polyethylene. The pipelines are produced to be very efficient when it comes to the absorption of kinetic power in the rough particles that are contained within the slurry, and in terms of their resistance to deformation, preventing damage triggered by the transportation approach.

What are they produced of? Slurry pipes are frequently produced from either coated or bare steel, ranging in size from 80mm -3200mm pipes, having a selection of linings and coatings which includes galvanized, polyurethane, polyethylene, epoxy, polypropylene and cement mortar.

Common materials transported in slurry pipelines：Many various types of material could be transported in slurry pipelines such as copper, iron, limestone, lead, coal, phosphate concentrates, nickel, zinc and bauxite. Right after ore processing, tailings from mineral processing plants are also transported by means of these pipelines, for the objective from the disposal of remaining rock particles.（Pipe Manufacturers）

At the destination：When the slurry comes out in the other end of the pipeline, materials are separated from the slurry by indicates of filter presses which extract the water. Following this approach, the water undergoes waste remedy procedures after which it is either returned to the mine, or disposed of.