WASTE PRODUCT GREEN SALT (HIGHLY ABRASIVE)

At its Uerdingen location, VENATOR produces titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments using a sulphate process. For this purpose, ores containing titanium dioxide, such as ilmenite, and processed ores such as titanium slag, are reacted with concentrated sulphuric acid. 

In the continuously operating crystallisation plant, centrifugal pumps are used which are subject to extreme abrasive wear and therefore need to be repaired or replaced regularly.

The effloresced iron sulphate heptahydrate is separated from the mother liquor by centrifuges and washed with diluted sulphuric acid.
 

EXPERTISE, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND THE STÜBBE X-CLASS

Crystallizers and the pipework need to be regularly and very laboriously cleaned, and freed from encrustations on the inner surfaces. Unplanned downtimes caused by the failure of the current pumps are an additional source of frustration in terms of costs.

By using a STÜBBE X-CLASS pump with the unique 3-channel free flow impeller (Vortex) in conjunction with extensive piping adaptations, the operating life has been significantly extended.

In response to pending increase in production and with the knowledge that the solids size allows for more efficient impellers, the second step was to switch to a new pump size with a semi-open standard impeller and annulus casing.

OPERATING LIFE TRIPLED FOLLOWING
INTRODUCTION OF STÜBBE X-CLASS PUMP

The measures ultimately resulted in the operating life becoming three times as long compared to the original pump brand used.