4908 BR Solutrix
4908 BR Solutrix
4908 BR Solutrix
Solutrix™ E
The efficient descaling solution
for the mining industry
BASF’s Mining Solutions
at a Glance
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Benefits of Solutrix™ E
Chemical benefits
Strong Acid: Solutrix™ E is a strong acid with similar dissocia-
tion constant to sulfuric acid, so offers increased reaction rates
and more rapid descaling action than typical organic acids while
being much less corrosive to metals and safer to handle than
other strong acids.
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Methane sulfonate salts are also known as mesylate salts.
Benefits of Solutrix™ E
Non-flammable: Unlike other organic acids, such as acetic acid, Halogen Free: Unlike hydrochloric acid and brands of MSA pro-
Solutrix™ E is non-flammable. duced by the chloroxidation route, Solutrix™ E is halogen free,
has reduced corrosivity and does not contribute chloride ions to
waste.
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General descaling: The product can also be used for general descaling of other equipment.
Derusting: Solutrix™ E can be used for derusting equipment however it works best at elevated temperatures
and in rust removal formulations where corrosion inhibitors and synergistic blends with other acids are used.
Additional information is available on request.
Ore types: As the target species is the scale, rather than the ore itself, Solutrix™ E can be used with almost
any ore type where scale formation is a problem, however specific types of process and ores need to be
approached with caution.
Pipeline descaling
Removal of Calcite from a pipe with 5 % Solutrix™ E solution.
Severe concentric scale has Dissolution of the scale Solutrix™ E has excellent After 3 hours static soak time.
nearly closed the pipe. commences upon treatment penetrative properties, liberat-
with Solutrix™ E. ing scale from the pipe wall,
accelerating dissolution.
Processes Requiring Caution
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Dissolution times for less soluble salts such as calcium sulfate can be reduced by
heating, increasing the concentration of S olutrix™ E or in some cases by formulating
with chelating agents and other acids. The optimum blends depend upon the pipeline
materials. Additional information is available on r equest.
ACID – BASE Calcium Calcium carbonate scales are very common and the dissolution rate with
(NEUTRALISA- carbonate Solutrix™ E make it suitable for use at ambient temperatures
TION) REACTIONS
Iron Iron hydroxide deposits dissolve readily in Solutrix™ E at room temperature
hydroxide
Iron oxide – Rust removal is slower than hydroxide deposit removal, but rust removal is
Rust disproportionately faster as treatment temperature increases
DISSOLUTION Calcium Calcium sulfate scale can be removed with Solutrix™ E however the
REACTIONS sulfate dissolution rates are modest at room temperature and elevated
temperatures will increase the dissolution rate substantially
Calcium Calcium phospate and iron phosphate scale can be removed with S olutrix™
phosphate E however the dissolution rates are modest at room temperature and elevated
temperatures will increase the dissolution rate substantially
Solution Strength Required
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Two examples of processes requiring caution; • If the pipeline discharges into an open tank then foaming may
Cyanide leaching of gold and base metal concen- be an issue and being heavier than air, the carbon dioxide
trates as discussed on page 7. evolved may overflow the tank in still conditions and settle to
low points displacing air. Locations with limited ventilation
such as access corridors beneath tanks may develop oxygen
deficient atmospheres. This is a safety issue for any acid
cleaning product, and is not specific to Solutrix™ E.
• S
olutrix™ E has a coefficient of cubical expansion significantly
greater than water. Care should be taken to avoid over pres-
surisation or leakage of equipment if sealed to allow for the
thermal expansion in hot conditions.
• S
olutrix™ E is hygroscopic. Containers should be kept tightly
sealed. If stored in open tanks the concentration of the acid
will be reduced as moisture is absorbed from the atmosphere.
Typically Solutrix™ E under conditions of atmospheric pressure
at 55 % relative humidity and 23 ºC would equilibrate at 49 %
active content compared with 70 % in the sealed container.
Increases in volume due to moisture absorption may result in
overflow from tanks.
• S
olutrix™ E has a specific gravity of 1.35. This will result in
increased loading on tanks and footings and increased head
pressure in pipelines compared to water.
• B
ASF recommends that Solutrix™ E be stored in accordance
with the material safety data sheet and with AS3780-2008 or
the local equivalent.
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Nonetheless, as with all strong acids, attention must be paid to Compared with other strong acids, methanesulfonic acid is less
the choice of materials for use with the acid. Corrosiveness corrosive: if similar quantities are used, the corrosion rates of
depends to a large extent on parameters such as temperature methansulfonic acid are normally a fraction of those of sulfuric
and concentration. In general it is reduced by the presence of acid or hydrochloric acid.
substances such as surfactants, oils and amines, but may be
increased by halogens such as chlorides. Because of the low vapour pressure, under normal conditions,
there is no gas phase corrosion with Solutrix™ E – in contrast to
Suitable materials for use in conjunction with pure 70 % acids such as hydrochloric, nitric and formic acids.
methanesulfonic acid (Solutrix™ E) are for example:
The corrosion impact of strong acids can be significantly reduced
• Polyethylene, polypropylene by the use of suitable corrosion inhibitors. More information on
• Selected Palatal® grades (polyester, polystyrene resins) corrosion inhibitors is available on request.
• Teflon® (PTFE)
• Glylon® (modified PTFE)
• Glass, enamel, ceramics
• Tantalum, zirconium
• High Quality Special Steels such as
• 1.4539 [904L; X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5]
• 1.4571 [316Ti; X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2]
• 1.4591 [Alloy 33; X1CrNiMoCuN33-32-1]
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Equation 5:
Volume of solution required for a given contact time
Required volume of acid solution = m3 x hr
Volumetric flow rate desired contact time hr
Solutrix™ E requirements for sulphate and phosphate scales should be determined experimentally.
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The reaction of Solutrix™ E with sulfate and phosphate scales is an equilibrium reaction and does not go to completion.
The solubility product, Ksp, for the reaction will also be effected by temperature, the presence of common ions and the ionic strength of the solution.
Worked Example
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= 27271.13 kg (Eq : 6)
= 74,804 kg (Table : 1)
74,804 x 1 x 70 x 1 kg x L x % x m3
Volume of 10 % Solutrix™ E solution required =
1.35 x 10 x 1000 kg x % x L
= 387.87 m3
In this instance, the volume of Solutrix™ E solution is more than adequate to achieve the
desired one hour contact time. It may be appropriate to split the cleaning into two or more
slugs of acid solution to reduce the total mass of carbon dioxide liberated at one time.
If the scale is acid resistant the concentration of the acid might be increases to accelerate
dissolution of the scale.
H3C S OH
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Europe
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Mining Solutions
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Australia
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VIC 3006, Southbank
Australia
Phone: +613 8855 6600
Fax: +613 8855 6511
The descriptions, designs, data and information contained herein are presented in good faith, and are based on BASF’s
current knowledge and experience. They are provided for guidance only, and do not constitute the agreed contractual
quality of the product or a part of BASF’s terms and conditions of sale. Because many factors may affect processing or
application /use of the product, BASF recommends that the reader carry out its own investigations and tests to determine
the suitability of a product for its particular purpose prior to use. It is the responsibility of the recipient of product to ensure
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EVG1482e
furnished by BASF hereunder are given gratis and BASF assumes no obligation or liability for the descriptions, designs,
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