In the mining industry, efficient and effective water management and slurry handling are crucial for ensuring environmental compliance and maintaining productivity. There are many different pieces of equipment that can be used for water management and slurry handling at mining facilities, but two pieces of equipment are often used: centrifugal slurry pumps and plate and frame filter presses. Understanding how these two pieces of equipment work together to achieve increased productivity, reduce operational costs, and stay environmentally compliant is essential to many mine sites today.
Plate and frame filter presses are essential in the mining industry for several reasons. They serve as a dewatering solution that separates liquids from solids, allowing water to be recycled, valuable minerals to be recovered, or ensuring safe disposal of tailings or waste products. As environmental regulations and sustainability continue to be a focus in the mining industry, plate and frame filter presses will remain an ideal piece of equipment on mine sites.
Today, plate and frame filter presses typically consist of a frame, manifold, filter plates, filter cloth, and a pump to feed the filter press. The principle behind a plate and frame filter press is simple yet effective. A high-pressure slurry is pumped into the filter press, which is then distributed throughout the filter plates. Hydraulic pressure is then applied to the filter plates, resulting in liquid passing through the filters and trapping the solids, forming a filter cake. When no additional slurry can be pumped into the filter press, the feed is stopped, the hydraulic pressure is relieved, and the filter cakes can be removed. The process then cycles repeatedly. A critical factor in the efficiency of a plate and frame filter press is the consistency and pressure of the slurry being pumped to the equipment, emphasizing the importance of a reliable pumping solution.
An example of how a plate and frame filter press benefits the mining industry is by reducing the amount of water that enters a tailings storage facility (TSF). More water results in longer decantation periods for the TSF when it could have been recycled back to the plant in a timely manner and/or an increased footprint the mine will need to operate. Other vitals uses for plate and frame filter press include dewatering concentrates at metal/nonmetal mines and recovering fines at coal mining operations.
Centrifugal slurry pumps are specialized equipment designed to handle abrasive, high-density slurries that would lead to rapid wear and damage to a conventional centrifugal pump. These pumps are designed to provide efficient and reliable performance and are typically used to transport slurry from one process to another at a mine site. A slurry pipeline can often be compared to a conveyor belt.
Key components of centrifugal slurry pumps consist of an impeller, casing or volute, and rotating assembly. The rotating assembly is energized by either an electric motor or diesel engine, which converts potential and rotational energy into kinetic energy within the slurry. The impeller spins inside a casing, creating kinetic energy, or more specifically, centrifugal force, that propels the slurry through the pump discharge.
Construction of centrifugal slurry pumps includes wear-resistant materials such as high chrome alloys and various elastomer materials that can also be used for certain applications. While slurry pumps are designed with high-quality components meant to withstand the harsh conditions of slurry handling, there will be a time when the wear parts need to be replaced. Slurry pumps are designed with the understanding that parts will need to be replaced over time, which is another benefit of using a slurry pump.
Slurry pumps have proven to be an ideal piece of equipment to feed a plate and frame filter press due to their heavy-duty design that handles the aggressive requirements needed for optimal filter press operation.
On mine sites where water management and slurry handling are critical challenges, the synergy between centrifugal slurry pumps and plate and frame filter presses cannot be neglected. Centrifugal slurry pumps’ durability, efficiency, and ability to handle abrasive materials ensure the reliable transfer of slurry to the filter press. Meanwhile, plate and frame filter presses excel in separating solids from liquids, reducing waste products, and enabling resource recovery.
Together, these technologies form a proven solution for water management and slurry handling, enhancing productivity, recycling water, and reducing operational costs. As mining continues to evolve and faces increased environmental hurdles, the importance of efficient slurry management will only grow. Investing in high-quality centrifugal slurry pumps for plate and frame filter press installations is a strategic move that can provide significant long-term benefits for any mine site handling slurry.
Numerous mining operations have successfully integrated Schurco Slurry high-pressure centrifugal slurry pumps with their plate and frame filter presses, resulting in enhanced performance and reduced operational costs.
With years of experience in the mining industry, Schurco Slurry has provided proven solutions for plate and frame filter press feed pumps. Engineers from Schurco Slurry can match the correct pump size based on the plate and frame filter press and educate operators throughout the installation and startup.
As the mining industry continues to evolve, the synergy between Schurco Slurry centrifugal slurry pumps and plate and frame filter presses will remain a proven solution for customers throughout the world.
This article was written by Schurco Slurry.