Verderflex has recently exported 30 of its VF hose pumps to a cobalt operation in Morocco for transfer of sulphuric acid and ammonia solutions from storage and dilution tanks to reactors and baths, with the solutions then employed in electrolysis. These pumps, manufactured in the UK, aim to reduce downtime, minimise maintenance costs and ensure the reliable pumping of abrasive, corrosive, viscous and high density fluids.

Exact dosing of the sulphuric acid in accordance with the pH value of the mined cobalt ensures its purity and concentration. To achieve this, the capacity of the Verderflex pump is automatically adjusted by a frequency controller, driven by a pH meter. The absence of product slip enables the pump to provide a 100% volumetric efficiency.

Other Verderflex units are being employed as feed pumps for centrifuges at some of Morocco’s cobalt mines. The process water that remains from the band filtration process results in a filter cake with residues. The fluids that are both acidic and abrasive are captured in collection basins. The hose pumps feed centrifuges that remove fine powder from the process waste water.

The design features of the Verderflex VF pump makes it ideal for handling abrasive and highly corrosive products. The medium does not come into contact with any of the pump’s rotating parts and is totally contained within a robust, heavy-duty hose which consists of an inner layer, two to six reinforcement layers and an outer layer. Also as the hose is the only wearing part it can be rapidly exchanged to ensure minimum downtime.