An iron ore slurry pipeline is a long-distance transport system for moving iron ore by mixing it with water to form a slurry, which is then pumped through specially engineered pipes. These pipelines are a cost-effective alternative to road or rail transport, reducing costs and eliminating traffic congestion. They are used to transport iron ore concentrate from mines to processing or port facilities, often over remote or inaccessible areas.
How it works:
- Mixing: Iron ore concentrate is mixed with water to create a fluid mixture called a slurry. Note: A slurry pipeline is a specially engineered pipeline used to move ores, such as coal or iron, or mining waste, called tailings, over long distances. A mixture of the ore concentrate and water, called slurry, is pumped to its destination and the water is filtered out. Due to the abrasive properties of slurry, the pipelines can be lined with high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or manufactured completely from HDPE Pipe, although this requires a very thick pipe wall. Slurry pipelines are used as an alternative to railroad transportation when mines are located in remote, inaccessible area.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slurry_pipeline - Material: The pipelines are often lined with materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to withstand the abrasive properties of the slurry.
- Water removal: At the destination, water is filtered out of the slurry, and the iron ore concentrate is processed further.
Raincentre's Blog 