XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3473
allowing for various feed solids concentrations, pressure
profiles and cake thicknesses.
An image of the filter press testing apparatus is shown
in Figure 3.
The test apparatus allows for variations in fill pressures,
cake thicknesses, fill times, air blow times as well as air blow
pressures. This in turn facilitates accurate design and cost-
ing for the most optimum filter press.
The filtration tests were conducted using a polypropyl-
ene media designated POPR-966 with an air permeability
of 7.6 m3/m2/min @125-kPa which is a typical filter media
in tailings applications.
The recessed chamber test begins by pumping feed
slurry into the double-sided chamber. FLSmidth records
filtrate production and the resulting pressure profile with
respect to time while the chamber fills. When the filtrate
flow subsides, the cake consolidation portion of the test is
complete. Generally, this occurs when the filtrate produc-
tion is 5% of the first minute’s filtrate production.
Following the fill portion of a recessed chamber test,
the cake blow begins simulating cake drying. During the
cake blow, filtrate production is measured with respect to
time along with air pressure and the flow rate through the
filter cake. Air flow is limited to applicable levels available
on full scale filters by adjusting air pressure. In the case
of membrane chamber simulation, a final, high pressure
squeeze is employed after the air blow step.
FLSmidth calculates the full-scale filtration rate using
the form time, a standard mechanical time of three and one
half minutes, a standard pump time of one minute and the
Figure 3. Flsmidth testing setup—filter press
allowing for various feed solids concentrations, pressure
profiles and cake thicknesses.
An image of the filter press testing apparatus is shown
in Figure 3.
The test apparatus allows for variations in fill pressures,
cake thicknesses, fill times, air blow times as well as air blow
pressures. This in turn facilitates accurate design and cost-
ing for the most optimum filter press.
The filtration tests were conducted using a polypropyl-
ene media designated POPR-966 with an air permeability
of 7.6 m3/m2/min @125-kPa which is a typical filter media
in tailings applications.
The recessed chamber test begins by pumping feed
slurry into the double-sided chamber. FLSmidth records
filtrate production and the resulting pressure profile with
respect to time while the chamber fills. When the filtrate
flow subsides, the cake consolidation portion of the test is
complete. Generally, this occurs when the filtrate produc-
tion is 5% of the first minute’s filtrate production.
Following the fill portion of a recessed chamber test,
the cake blow begins simulating cake drying. During the
cake blow, filtrate production is measured with respect to
time along with air pressure and the flow rate through the
filter cake. Air flow is limited to applicable levels available
on full scale filters by adjusting air pressure. In the case
of membrane chamber simulation, a final, high pressure
squeeze is employed after the air blow step.
FLSmidth calculates the full-scale filtration rate using
the form time, a standard mechanical time of three and one
half minutes, a standard pump time of one minute and the
Figure 3. Flsmidth testing setup—filter press