Concentrate Slurry Properties And Their Effect On The Operation Of The Freeport Indonesia, Incorporated Pipeline

Freeport Indonesia, Incorporated produces 180,000 tons per year (200,000 STPY) of 32% copper concentrate. A 111 kilometer (69 mile) pipeline transports the concentrate slurry to the sea coast. Rheology characteristics of the concentrate slurry must be monitored continuously to assure that the pipeline does not plug and that mini- mum degradation of the pipeline occurs. Factors affecting the rheobgy include particle size, percent solids, pH, and reagent additions. This paper includes a general pipeline description, slurry rheology factors affecting operations, and the problems encountered and their subsequent resolution. Six years successful operation of the worlds longest copper concentrate slurry pipeline has provided a unique insight into slurry behavior.