XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3475
Along with the filtrate clarity, a comparison in the
dewatering rate between each media was performed. It
should be noted that for this case study the dewatering rate
is comprised of the filter fill time, cake consolidation time
and cake air blow time. There is no equipment mechani-
cal time or other steps included in the calculation. The
dewatering rates were based upon a final cake moisture of
12.7 wt%. The results are shown in Figure 5.
The results indicate that the media permeability does
not have a significant impact on the dewatering rate for
this sample. This is indicated by the low slope values of the
trendlines.
CONCLUSION
The conclusions from the testwork conducted as part of
this paper are:
• The amount of suspended solids in the filtrate
increases as the permeability of the media increases.
• The higher feed pressure appears to have a more sig-
nificant impact on the amount of suspended solids
in the filtrate.
• The filtrate for all conditions tested with this sample
have a higher content of suspended solids than that
typically found in thickener overflow. This supports
FLS’ operating philosophy of recycling the water
from the filtration plant back to the thickener feed
and then recycling thickener overflow to the main
plant for reuse.
• Permeability of the filtration media did not have
a significant impact on the dewatering rate of this
sample.
Figure 5. Media permeability vs. Dewatering rate
Along with the filtrate clarity, a comparison in the
dewatering rate between each media was performed. It
should be noted that for this case study the dewatering rate
is comprised of the filter fill time, cake consolidation time
and cake air blow time. There is no equipment mechani-
cal time or other steps included in the calculation. The
dewatering rates were based upon a final cake moisture of
12.7 wt%. The results are shown in Figure 5.
The results indicate that the media permeability does
not have a significant impact on the dewatering rate for
this sample. This is indicated by the low slope values of the
trendlines.
CONCLUSION
The conclusions from the testwork conducted as part of
this paper are:
• The amount of suspended solids in the filtrate
increases as the permeability of the media increases.
• The higher feed pressure appears to have a more sig-
nificant impact on the amount of suspended solids
in the filtrate.
• The filtrate for all conditions tested with this sample
have a higher content of suspended solids than that
typically found in thickener overflow. This supports
FLS’ operating philosophy of recycling the water
from the filtration plant back to the thickener feed
and then recycling thickener overflow to the main
plant for reuse.
• Permeability of the filtration media did not have
a significant impact on the dewatering rate of this
sample.
Figure 5. Media permeability vs. Dewatering rate