NOVEL AUTOMATIC PRESSURE FILTER FOR HYDROMETALLURGICAL AND FLOTATION CONCENTRATE DEWATERING APPLICATIONS

摘要

Pneumapress Automatic Pressure Filters have unique features for use in minerals applications, such as dewatering of flotation concentrate and washing and dewatering in a plethora of applications in hydrometallurgy. The Pneumapress operation cycle which follows classical cake dewatering phases, without the use of membranes, is discussed and various features and benefits are highlighted and compared to traditional tower press filters which utilize membranes. Two new applications in hydrometallurgical circuits are described, followed by a case study on Pneumapress filters dewatering hot, corrosive, abrasive slurry at a hydro thermal power plant, which is similar to many hydrometallurgical flow sheets. Two Copper flotation concentrates concentrate dewatering applications are discussed, one at an existing operation, that has a relatively course particle size distribution, and one at an undisclosed source with a relatively fine PSD. The effect of variable and versatile cake formation conditions on the subsequent cake drying stage is demonstrated.