A renowned Chinese metal smelting and resource development company has drawn significant attention to its overseas laterite nickel project. This project leverages advanced hydrometallurgy technology, using sulfuric acid to dissolve valuable metals like nickel and cobalt alongside iron and aluminum minerals. During subsequent processing, impurities such as iron, aluminum, and silicon are removed into slag, while nickel and cobalt remain in solution. The leachate is treated with hydrogen sulfide to produce high-quality nickel-cobalt sulfides, which are then refined into final products. The production process involves handling multiple highly corrosive media, including concentrated sulfuric acid and acidic water.

The Challenge: Corrosion Issues in Metal Valves

In 2020, during the early construction phase, thanks to the foresight of the design institute, the customer boldly purchased 26 KOWOV ceramic ball valves for efficient slurry transportation. However, to manage costs, the customer opted for more affordable metal-seated ball valves for the neutralization system in the tailings area.

Despite the initial cost advantage, these metal valves soon faced severe challenges from the harsh working environment. Whether made of pure metal or equipped with hardened coatings, the valves deteriorated rapidly under continuous exposure to corrosive media. Not only were the metallic substrates corroded, but the hardened coatings also failed to provide lasting protection. Compounding the problem, solid particles in the media constantly abraded the valves’ inner surfaces, accelerating the delamination of the coatings. Within just two months, the valves exhibited internal and external leakage, compromising system stability and creating safety risks.

KOWOV Ceramic Valves: A Proven Solution

In contrast, the KOWOV ceramic ball valves excelled in slurry transportation, achieving 18 months of uninterrupted, complaint-free operation. Faced with mounting operational challenges and cost pressures, the plant manager urgently sought assistance from the design institute, which again recommended our ceramic valves based on their outstanding performance. The customer promptly invited us for a technical consultation.

In January 2022, the customer purchased two DN150 ceramic control valves for trial use in the tailings neutralization system. The trial results were highly encouraging, prompting the customer to begin replacing metal-seated valves across other areas in November of the same year. To date, the site has deployed over 160 KOWOV ceramic valves, ensuring reliable and stable operation of the project.

Superior Cost-Effectiveness

While the initial investment in KOWOV ceramic valves is 2 to 4 times higher than that of traditional metal valves, their exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements deliver outstanding cost-efficiency. By reducing the frequency of valve replacements and repairs, our ceramic valves significantly lower the plant’s long-term operational costs and improve production efficiency and safety. A comprehensive cost-performance analysis indicates that the return on investment (ROI) for KOWOV ceramic valves reaches an impressive 1:5+, delivering substantial economic and social benefits to the customer.

Empowering Global Industrial Progress

Our success in overseas smelting projects showcases Yantai Kingway’s technological strength and international competitiveness, driving industry advancements and promoting global trade and collaboration. This success not only enhances our brand influence and market share but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of the global hydrometallurgical industry.

Looking forward, Yantai Kingway remains committed to global expansion and will continue to invest in R&D to further enhance product performance and quality. We aim to meet the increasing global demand for high-quality industrial ceramic valves. In addition, we will actively engage in international competition and cooperation, fostering industry-wide technological progress and advancing industrial development.

#CeramicValves #Hydrometallurgy #LateriteNickel #IndustrialInnovation #KOWOVValves #CorrosionResistance #SustainableManufacturing #YantaiKingway #GlobalExpansion #EconomicBenefits #LongTermPerformance #IndustrialProgress #EnergyEfficiency