Dewatering Fundamentals
Dewatering is essential for efficient mineral processing and responsible environmental management. It reduces the volume of tailings, allows water recycle and enables safer tailings storage.
Dewatering Equipment
Thickeners:
- Use gravity settling to increase solids concentration
- Simple, reliable technology
- High-rate thickeners for faster settling
- Paste thickeners for very thick underflow
Filters:
- Vacuum filters: Rotary drum, disc, and belt filters
- Pressure filters: Plate and frame, filter press
- Cartridge filters: For fine polishing
- Produce driest cake product
Centrifuges:
- Use centrifugal force for rapid dewatering
- High throughput capability
- Common for coal and fine tailings
Dewatering and Tailings Management
Tailings Disposal Strategies
Conventional Tailings Storage Facility (TSF):
- Slurry tailings deposited in impoundment
- Lower capital cost
- Higher water consumption
- Environmental and safety risks
Dry Stacking:
- Filtered tailings stacked and compacted
- No pond formation
- Reduced water consumption
- Higher capital but lower risk
Paste Thickening:
- Very thick tailings (60-70% solids)
- Can be discharged underground or stacked
- Reduced water release
Water Management
- Process water recycle reduces fresh water needs
- Tailings water recovery important in arid regions
- Water treatment for reuse or discharge
WSHT provides dewatering equipment and tailings management solutions to meet environmental and operational requirements.
