Flotation Copper-Molybdenum Concentrate Filtration

We installed a CX5-80 ceramic disc vacuum filtration system at a copper-molybdenum tailings reprocessing plant in Rancagua, Chile, expanding filtration capacity and replacing outdated equipment. The plant processes up to 600 tpd, producing filter cake with approximately 10-12% w/w moisture.

Year

2018 - Operating

Location

Rancagua, Chile

Size

Qty. 1, CX5-80 (80 m2) filters

Technology

Ceramic Disc Filtration

Highlights

Installation of a CX5-80 ceramic disc vacuum filtration system at a copper tailings reprocessing operation in Rancagua, Chile, expanding filtration capacity.

The project replaced an antiquated horizontal plate-and-frame pressure filter with integrated rotary kiln furnace.

Designed for up to 600 tpd, the filter plant produces filter cakes with around 10-12% w/w moisture, depending on the ratio of copper to molybdenum reporting to the concentrate filtration circuit.

Challenge

The filtration capacity at the plant required a nominal increase resulting from implementation of a new grinding and flotation circuit. Additionally, the client’s goal was to decrease moisture content of concentrate processed downstream by the rotary kiln furnace in order to decrease operating costs associated with power and fuel consumption.

Solution

We installed a single CX5-80 (80 m2) ceramic disc vacuum filtration system at this asset to allow for concentrate output to increase, without increasing the moisture load to the rotary kiln furnace. The filter plant is designed to process up to 600 tpd with a filter cake around 10% w/w moisture.

Benefit

The concentrate filter expansion project was implemented without needing to modify the rotary kiln at significant cost. This allowed for an overall decrease in diesel fuel consumption per tonne processed at the site, which had both cost savings and ESG-profile benefits.