Extending pipe lifespan and reduces maintenance in salt production

The Challenge

A producer of iodised and fluoridated salt was experiencing persistent issues with scaling inside their stainless steel pipes, which were used to transport mother liquor - a solution with a high concentration of dissolved rock salt. This scaling caused frequent blockages, leading to repeated shutdowns for maintenance or pipe replacement. Plant personnel had to strike the stainless steel pipes to restore flow, which accelerated wear and increased operational costs. The salt company needed a solution to extend the service life of the pipelines and prevent costly production interruptions.

The Solution

To tackle this issue, the salt producer decided to install a 12-metre section of 6” Pexgol SDR 11 pipe, aiming to reduce scaling and increase uptime. Thanks to its molecular structure and low internal roughness, Pexgol pipe prevents buildup and ensures consistent ﬂow. After nine months of continuous operation, the pipe was completely free of scaling, demonstrating its effectiveness under operating conditions of 4 bar (58 psi) and 80°C (176°F). The installation was completed with assistance from the plant’s internal team, eliminating the need for a crane to lift the pipe to the upper structure. Despite having no prior experience with plastic piping, the team was able to cut and assemble the GP ﬂanged couplings in record time. Thanks to this successful implementation, the salt producer signiﬁcantly reduced maintenance costs, minimised production downtime, and improved operational efﬁciency with a reliable and long-lasting solution.