Mining: Vacuum Filtration & Copper Concentrate Dewatering
In a copper concentrator, flotation produces a fine slurry that must be dewatered to a transportable filter cake. Rotary vacuum filters — disc, drum and belt types — draw liquid through the filter cloth with vacuum, leaving a cake at about 10–15% moisture before shipping or smelting.
The liquid ring vacuum pump is the standard vacuum source for this duty. It tolerates filtrate and slurry carryover that would damage other pumps, and because the air is humid the cool seal ring condenses vapour and actually boosts capacity.
We supply CL-class, 2BE/2BV single-stage and two-stage pumps, and complete vacuum filter systems with separator, for concentrator and tailings-dewatering plants across Chile, Peru and Latin America.
The pump connects to the filter receiver and evacuates air passing through the cloth together with water vapour and fine entrainment. Vacuum demand changes as sectors move through cake formation, drying and discharge, so receiver volume and control stability matter as much as the nominal pump capacity.
A receiver and inlet separator should remove filtrate and slurry before the gas reaches the pump, with drains and flushing points arranged so settled solids can be cleared safely. Cast iron is suitable for many neutral services, while 304, 316 or duplex stainless wetted parts may be selected for corrosive or chloride-bearing liquors. Packing can simplify field maintenance; mechanical seals reduce leakage when cleaner seal-liquid conditions can be maintained.
A closed seal-water circuit can reduce fresh-water demand, but it needs solids removal and enough cooling to keep the liquid temperature stable. Warm or contaminated seal liquid reduces useful capacity, and a deep-vacuum operating point can approach cavitation if the temperature margin is inadequate. Site elevation, ambient conditions, filtrate carryover and the actual seal-water temperature should all be included in the duty specification.
Pumps for this duty: