Pumping 76% rock solids with Flowrox™ hose pumps

Flowrox hose pumps were chosen for the LKAB tailings treatment project based on previous experience. “We first learned about Flowrox hose pumps at a Paste Conference in South Africa and were interested in this pumping technology,” says Thord Wennberg, Technical Process Development, LKAB. “We used a LPP-T hose pump for our first thickener, but it was not in operation for longer than one month before we shelved it. We took the pump out of duty as the slurry was so thin that pump was not needed. With our second thickener we knew that our slurry would be thicker, so we decided to have a go with the Flowrox hose pump again. We were aware of the benefits of Flowrox pumps compared to centrifugal pumps,” Wennberg continues.

Flowrox LPP-T pumps incorporate advanced single roller design, which eliminates friction and lowers energy consumption.

Reliability is what we look for in a pump

The most important thing for us in terms of pump performance is that they function reliably.

“We have been working with the three pumps in the thickener plant for one year now and they have been operating well. The most important thing for us in terms of pump performance is that they function reliably. All the other benefits come after that. If a pump is not reliable, there is nothing else to benefit from either,” states Ronny Martinson, Maintenance and Operation, LKAB.

“The initial lifetime cost calculation (LCC) for the hose was estimated at three months. After the start up and optimization of the plant we are now on somewhat of a normal duty. If we increase the pressure and the density, then of course also the wear increases, which affects the LCC,” explains Björn Gardelin, Minrox, the Flowrox representative in Sweden. “We have experienced that the Flowrox LPP hose pumps handle solids in the slurry better than other pumps, and that’s very good because we have occasionally to deal with large particles,” Martinson says.

The rolling rotor compresses the hose and removes potential scaling on the walls.

“The Flowrox hose pumps incorporate an advanced rolling design were larger particles can be handled in high pressure with minimal wear. The pumps can run dry and be operated 24/7. The pumps’ rolling design eliminates friction, maximizes hose life and lowers energy consumption. Flowrox pumps are able to handle up to 76% solids,” Gardelin reveals.

“They seem to work quite well, and there’s no need to change the hoses too often. We are now on a 3-month hose change cycle according to the LCC calculation. As I mentioned earlier, reliability is something that we look for in a pump. Now we are looking into expanding the hose lifetime to 6 months. The only challenge has been the hose change due to the large size of the hose and the roll. Luckily, they do not have to be changed more often than four times a year,” Martinson adds. “We are now looking into training the LKAB maintenance staff to provide techniques and safety for the hose change, which will make the work easier and faster but also safe,” says Gardelin describing the future cooperation with LKAB.

Local relationship enhance operations

“We have enjoyed a good relationship with the customer. We supported LKAB throughout the project and installation. We had frequent visits and telephone conferences, maintain contact and provide support,” states Gardelin from Minrox, our official representative in Sweden.

We have been satisfied. The Flowrox pumps can be recommended for other paste pumping applications, states Björn Henriksson, LKAB.

“We do have a good relationship with quick help for support,” Björn Henriksson, Project Manager LKAB, confirms. “Even though we do speak English and some of us Finnish too, it is important to communicate in Swedish and to have a local contact when dealing with large projects like this one,” Henriksson adds.

LKAB’s ambition is to increase production by 5 percent a year up to 2021. This will entail increasing capacity and efficiency also in the waste and tailings treatment.

In the first phase LKAB ordered 4 pumps, but in 2021 they have in total 6 Flowrox LPP-T100 hose pumps in operation.

Good service includes frequent visits and telephone conversations, maintain contact and provide support: We work closely with our customers to support them in every step of the project and installation.

Text originally published in 2018, and slightly updated in April 2022, due to the company name change to Valmet. As of the 1^st of April 2022, Flowrox brand belongs to Valmet.