long distance 98% sulphuric acid pipeline 1

[Geoffer]

Hi folks,
Does anyone know of any long distance 98% sulphuric acid pipelines in operation around the world?

I am currently working on a project which has a 90km 98% sulphuric acid pipeline as an option. By the time specialist alloys, leak detection and provisions for containment, safe operation and maintenance are accounted for; it may well turn out to be uneconomical but it would eliminate several issues which may make the cost bearable.

Obviously, if it is considered, the pipeline and operation will go through a full and thorough design process to the relevant standards, but I can find any evidence of any other such pipeline which may indicate it as a non-starter.

Thanks in advance,

Geoff Marshall

 

[LittleInch]

I've come across sulphuric acid lines of up to 15 - 20 km long in copper mines where they used a PE liner as this has excellent resistance to Sulphuric Acid. You need to work on the jointing system better than they did (the joints used normal C Stl and eventually leaked), but if you make all the joints, gaskets and bolts from CRA you can use normal C Stl and just line it.

http://www.vp-scientific.com/Chemical_Resistance_Chart.htm

If you're going through public areas you might need to end up with a pipe in pipe system or a sophisticated leak detection / 3rd party detection system.

http://www.aucom.com/case-studies-mining-chuquicamata-acid-pipeline.html

There's also one in Namibia apparently for 40KM or so.



My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[Geoffer]

LittleInch,

Thanks for the pointers.

I had a look at the 43-101 FS report for the Namibian mine with the 40km pipeline and it appears they have gone with the road transportation option as opposed to piping which is a shame because the general conditions and public access to the proposed pipeline was similar. At least it shows someone else was considering it and we're not out of the ball park, the fact they've canned the idea though doesn't bode well for the option. I have contacts with some of the piping consultants involved so I'll see what I can find out.

The copper mines are a useful pointer too, I will do a bit more digging and tap up my contacts with experience in South America to see what they come up with.

The search continues.....

 

[MJCronin]

I believe that a major design consideration is the velocity of the acid.

What pipe diameter and what flow rate are you considering ?

Will the pipeline be in continuous operation ?

What is the industrial need for a continuous supply of such a potent acid ?

I can imagine very few applications (mining ??) where a pipeline would be better than truck deliveries...

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[nengaw]

Fertilizer production is a possibility.

 

[MJCronin]

In order to accomplish fertilizer production, in my opinion, mandates rail access.

Rail access permits economic and reliable sulfuric acid delivery by railcar, therefore no pipeline.

Was an MBA somehow involved in this acid pipeline selection ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[Compositepro]

There is sulfuric acid pipeline between the ARCO refinery in Carson, Calif. and the acid regeneration plant in Dominguez, owned now by Rhodia. Its about 5 miles but has been in operation since about the 50's.

 

[EdStainless]

98% acid is not very corrosive.
If it is good quality clean acid 316L SS is virtually free from attack.
A line like this though should be fully double contained.
Perhaps using a non-metallic for the outer containment.
The risk of damage (internal or externa0 is very high.
If the acid concentration ever dropped by a few % you would destroy the entire line.

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