Applications - Dewatering
Dewatering is often the last step in minerals processing and seldom receives attention until problems occur. Critical applications usually occur when there is a sensitive or expensive downstream processing. These can include:
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Transportation by road, rail or ship. Overly wet ore can lead to the cargo “setting” in the rail car or ship causing considerable difficulties with unloading. In the case of shipping, rough weather can result in the cargo shifting in the hold and endangering the vessel.
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Alumina production where alumina tri-hydrate is precipitated and then filtered prior to calcining. The key control issue is to deliver a consistent and preferably low moisture content to the drier. It needs to be consistent to ensure the product is not over or under dried and it needs to be low as it is cheaper to dewater than to dry.
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Pelletizing that occurs immediately after wet beneficiation or transport by pipeline.
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Dewatering prior to drying such as in ferrochrome production.
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Control of moisture in pellets being fed to reverbatory furnaces to prevent blowback.
