Typical Applications
- Tailings
- Counter Current Decantation (CCD)
- Pre and post-leaching duties
- Mineral sands slimes
- Clay duties
Vane Feedwell™
Feedwells are a significant factor in thickener performance. The cutting-edge design of the Outotec Vane Feedwellmarks the first major innovation in the thickening and clarifying industry since the early 1990s.
One of the main design features is the interconnected upper and lower zones. The upper zone, into which feed, dilution water, and flocculant are added, provides enhanced mixing and energy dissipation. This maximizes flocculant adsorption, eliminates the possibility of coarse/fines segregation, and ensures all particles are aggregated by the flocculant. Efficient operation is maintained in this upper zone over varying feed rates.
The lower zone promotes gentle mixing for continued aggregate growth, with the option for secondary flocculant dosing. This zone also enables the uniform discharge of aggregates under low shear conditions.
Directional Autodil™ feed dilution system
To decrease the level of feed solids prior to flocculation, we have developed a patented directional autodilution system that harnesses the natural head difference across the feedwell wall. This drives supernatant liquor into the feedwell, where slurry dilution, mixing, and flocculation take place. Autodilution ensures the density in the feedwell is within the optimum range for flocculation, irrespective of feed flow rate or density.
Turbodil™ feed dilution system
We have developed the Outotec Turbodil patented system of forced dilution to provide an effective feed dilution scheme for alternative process requirements. The system uses a low head axial pump to drive dilution water into the feedwell.
Outotec Turbodil can help meet your requirements when:
- The process requires a high degree of feed dilution
- Dilution systems need to operate over a wide feed volume variation
- A high-feed density thickener operation requires simultaneous dilution to low-feed solids
- Large feedwell diameters require more mixing energy than is generated by the incoming feed