Design of a continuous pilot-scale deslime thickener
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2017
Abstract
Copyright 2017, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. Thickening is used during two primary mineral processing operations: Water removal and desliming. During water removal, the pulp density is increased through the injection of flocculants. These flocs settle and create a dense pulp while clarified water is removed through the overflow. During desliming, fine particles are removed through the overflow. Desliming can also be used as a mineral separation process known as selective flocculation-dispersion, where valuable minerals are flocculated and gangue minerals remain dispersed and exit through the overflow. There are many ways to analyze thickener performance on a laboratory scale, but these analyses often do not correlate well with full-scale performance. Some pilot-scale systems have been designed using a semicontinuous approach, but the amount of material required to perform their tests can make semicontinuous pilot thickeners impractical for most applications. This paper focuses on the design and optimization of a continuous pilot-scale deslime thickener that requires minimal material to operate. The design, optimization strategy, and an example study of reagent selection are demonstrated.
Publication Title
Minerals and Metallurgical Processing
Recommended Citation
Haselhuhn, H.,
&
Kawatra, S.
(2017).
Design of a continuous pilot-scale deslime thickener.
Minerals and Metallurgical Processing,
34(1), 1-9.
http://doi.org/10.19150/mmp.7243
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/13738
