More than 17,000 sq.ft of operating platforms and walkways were fabricated from fiberglass structural shapes and grating for Minera Escondida Limitada's new Ammonia Leach/Solvent Extraction/Electrowinning plant.
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This plant makes use of an innovative patented ammonia leach process to recover 99.999 percent cathode copper from chalcocitic copper concentrate which is a higher purity than is possible by other SX-EW methods.
In this process, an electric current is passed through the cells causing the ultrapure copper to be plated onto stainless steel blanks. The electrolyte liquid, which is used in the extraction process is highly corrosive to steel, hence offering a perfect application for composite materials such as fiberglass. It is also normal to use FRP structurals for their electrically insulative properties in this process.
The new ammonia leach SX-EW process results in a more efficient and clean plant. The copper may be leached from relatively low copper content ore, enabling mines to process ore previously put aside.
Solutions by Strongwell
EXTREN® fiberglass structural shapes and DURADEK® grating are used in the tank house around the multitude of pipes, pumps and tanks throughout the plant and around the cells. The connection details and design information available in the Strongwell Design Manual, as well as Strongwell's ability to meet tight schedules, were critical to Fluor Daniel, the contractor for the job.
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Technical Details
| Product: |
SX-EW Operating Platform |
| Process: |
Pultrusion, Fiberglass Fabrication |
| Materials: |
EXTREN® Series 625 fiberglass reinforced vinyl ester, fire retardant
DURADEK® I-6000 1-1/2" fiberglass reinforced vinyl ester grating, fire retardant |
| Sizes: |
Overall size — approx. 17,000 sq. ft. walkway area.
EXTREN® structural shapes used:
Wide flange beams: 3" x 1/4"; 6" x 1/4"; 6" x 3/8"; 8" x 1/2"; 8" x 3/8"; 10" x 3/8"; 10" x 1/2"; 12" x 1/2"
I-Beams: 6" x 3" x 1/4"; 8" x 4" x 3/8"; 8" x 4" x 1/2"; 10" x 5" x 1/2"; 12" x 6" x 1/2"
Channels: 6" x 1-5/8" x 1/4"; 8" x 2-3/16" x 1/4"; 8" x 2-3/16" x 3/8"; 10" x 2-3/4" x 1/2" |
| For: |
Fluor Daniel |
| User: |
Minera Escondida Limitada |
About Strongwell Corporation
Strongwell Corporation is the world’s largest pultruder of fiber reinforced polymer composites. Strongwell’s FRP products were chosen as solutions in many different markets. For the mining industry, the company offers operating platforms, conveyor drip pans and platforms & walkways.
Strongwell Corporation design, manufacture, fabrication and testing of molded or pultruded fiber reinforced polymer composite products for construction, commercial and industrial applications.
Strongwell has been pultruding fiber reinforced polymer composite structural products since 1956. Today, with more than 65 pultrusion machines and 647,000 square feet of manufacturing space in three plant locations, Strongwell has unequaled capacity, versatility and flexibility to meet the needs of its customers and allied partners. All Strongwell pultruded products are made in the USA. Click here to learn how Strongwell’s pultruded products out perform traditional materials.
The company is financially strong, quality oriented, technically advanced, and customer focused. Strongwell's customers include Fortune 500 industrial and commercial firms, major architectural and engineering firms, leading contractors and distributors, and many other companies - both large and small - in a variety of markets.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.
For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.