Dewatering Screens and Its Specific Functions in Mining

October 27, 2019

Commonly used as a more efficient means of removing water from slurries, dewatering screens have been an essential facet in many processing systems. They are described as simple devices with either two counter-rotating vibrating motors or multiple mechanical exciters. They are considered a game-changer in their fields because they replaced older technology such as screws, spirals or rake classifiers to efficiently deliver a drier product.

Dewatering screens are initially an innovation in the mining industry. Their main function is to dewater minus 6.35mm solids contained in slurries. To further understand its use and purpose, you must first know how it works.

A steeply inclined screen surface will drain the slurry of solids and water. Then as the solids build up on the screen, they will then be moved upwards to the discharge end.  Counter-rotating motors would then create a linear motion that moves solids uphill while water drains through the screen media. Consequently, a deep bed that acts as a filter medium is created. This enables the retention of much finer solids than the screen media aperture openings. Dewatered sand moves over the end weir and discharges as a drip-free product.

Below are its specific functions in mining.

Sand, Kieserite and Limestone Drainage

As mentioned above, dewatering screens can remove the water from sand, kieserite and minerals. Sand plants have separators. The separator controls the cut and the dewatering screen controls the final product moisture. Most producers would trade a few extra kilowatts for a drier and cleaner product with fewer fines lost to the pond, which is exactly what this system brings.

Wash Water and Carrier Liquid Filter

Dewatering screens also function well in wash water and carrier liquids. They normally remove insoluble contaminants deposited in wash water or carrier liquids.

Concrete Drainage

Dewatering screens are said to work effectively in removing water from concrete. However, it must be noted that these screens do not operate well with long fibrous material.

Dewatering screens are proven to create a consistent, drip-free product when properly applied. It also promotes a safer, cleaner work environment and very low maintenance costs. Aside from that, a dewatering screen is widely applied in de-sliming and de-intercalation, which can be often be found in industrial areas such as stone washing plant, coal preparation plant, sludge recycling, mineral processing plant, tailings dry discharge, and more. For this reason, a dewatering screen is also called sand and stone dewatering screen, mine dewatering screen, coal slime dewatering screen, tailings dewatering screen, and high frequency dewatering screen.

For more information regarding dewatering screens and its significance in mining, find us at Hawk Machinery. We are responsible for manufacturing and supplying crushing, screening, feeding and conveying equipment to the extractive industry together with plant layout and turn key projects. We are known to provide quality equipment in the most economical form.

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