XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3765
allowing for more slurry and solids to pass through the
grates without being obstructed by the material left behind
into the pans. A second possible reason for the better effi-
ciency of the curved design is the fact that, for the radial
design the slots are more localized (see Figure 11) while
for the curved design the slots are more spread azimuthally.
Thus, the curved design allows for more particles from a
larger volume in front of the grates to reach the openings
compared to the radial design. In other words, there is a
higher probability for the particles in front of the grates to
pass through the openings of the curved design than for the
radial design. This observation is backed up by the graphs
presented in Figures 9 and 10 that show higher outwards
flow rates for the slurry and solids in case of the curved
design. The above observation regarding the slots’ position
in the pans shows that a better pulp lifter design may not
necessarily lead to improved performance if the grate open-
ings aren’t properly placed.
The motivation for comparing the radial and curved
pulp lifter designs was the vague indication seen from real
Figure 10. Comparison of discharge rate, Inwards and Outwards flow rates and holdups for solids
Figure 11. Slots localization for the radial and curved designs
allowing for more slurry and solids to pass through the
grates without being obstructed by the material left behind
into the pans. A second possible reason for the better effi-
ciency of the curved design is the fact that, for the radial
design the slots are more localized (see Figure 11) while
for the curved design the slots are more spread azimuthally.
Thus, the curved design allows for more particles from a
larger volume in front of the grates to reach the openings
compared to the radial design. In other words, there is a
higher probability for the particles in front of the grates to
pass through the openings of the curved design than for the
radial design. This observation is backed up by the graphs
presented in Figures 9 and 10 that show higher outwards
flow rates for the slurry and solids in case of the curved
design. The above observation regarding the slots’ position
in the pans shows that a better pulp lifter design may not
necessarily lead to improved performance if the grate open-
ings aren’t properly placed.
The motivation for comparing the radial and curved
pulp lifter designs was the vague indication seen from real
Figure 10. Comparison of discharge rate, Inwards and Outwards flow rates and holdups for solids
Figure 11. Slots localization for the radial and curved designs