Peristaltic pumps for Morocco's cobalt mines
15 Mar 2010
Leeds, UK – Peristaltic pump maker Verderflex has recently exported 30 of its VF hose pumps to cobalt mines in Morocco. Manufactured in Leeds, the pumps are used in the refining of cobalt: mainly to transfer sulphuric acid and ammonia solutions from storage and dilution tanks to reactors and electrolysis baths.
In the electrolysis process, the cobalt is rinsed to eliminate impurities and separate it from other ore components such as nickel, iron and arsenic. Exact dosing of the sulphuric acid in accordance with the pH value of the mined cobalt is vital to ensure its purity and concentration.
To deliver the required accuracy, the capacity of the pump is automatically adjusted by a frequency controller that is driven by a pH meter. The absence of product slip in the hose, meanwhile, is said to ensure a 100% volumetric efficiency.
Other Verderflex units are being employed as feed pumps for centrifuges at Morocco’s cobalt mines. Process water that remains from the band filtration process results in a filter cake with residues, with acidic and abrasive fluids captured in collection basins. The peristaltic hose pumps feed centrifuges that remove fine powder from the process waste water.
