Rubber Lined Pipe: Time Tested Reliability

Many industrial applications including mining, power generation, and ball mills require innovative solutions to safely transfer and contain abrasive and erosive products. Rubber linings have become the time tested standard in many applications because of their ability to do just that.

Flue gas desulfurization

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is the process of removing sulfur dioxide from flue gases to avoid the risk of releasing sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Lime is a key ingredient in the removal of these acidic gasses. Lime can either be used in dry or wet forms to accomplish this.

In wet lime scrubbing, lime and water are mixed to create a “slurry” that neutralizes the sulfur dioxide and other harmful pollutants. The mixture undergoes a chemical reaction, precipitating calcium sulfite, a harmless product that can be repurposed into gypsum. With dry lime scrubbing, the lime slurry is injected directly into the flue to remove the gasses through a sprayer, and the water evaporates in the heat. In either case, the dangerous sulfur dioxide byproduct is neutralized and production can continue. Rubber lined pipes are a crucial element of the system, ensuring the lime slurry is safely and effectively transferred to the FGD system.

Ball mills

Rubber linings can also be used to line ball mills designed to grind mining materials as required. These rubber linings protect the equipment while withstanding vibrations and the rough nature of the materials inside. Those in the mining industry have also capitalized on rubber linings to protect the piping used in mineral transfer from the mine in copper, nickel, zinc, silver, and gold operations.

Rubber linings

Whatever the application, rubber linings are an excellent addition to your toolbox. They hold up against the abrasive materials used in these activities while withstanding high heat inherent to the work. Better yet, the natural elasticity of rubber materials allows for incredible customization to fit your space and needs as well as the inevitable vibration, expansion, and contraction materials must endure in these changing temperatures.

Rubber linings protect your equipment, and the variety of types, shapes, and thicknesses allow you to get exactly what you need to get the job done. Rubber linings are typically very thick; thus, compared to thinner linings, as they begin to degrade, you will have plenty of time to replace the linings before the abrasive materials ever reach your equipment.