SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT


to dig out the ponds, but the process is tedious and costly. Excavating wet ‘soupy’ sludge is slow and makes a mess of the area and the equipment. Operator time is expensive, and the wear and tear on equipment can be signifi cant. Severe weather can also cause substantial damage to ponds and require additional cleanup. Ponds also require large amounts


of makeup water when it evaporates or seeps into the ground. The cost to replace makeup water, which is often purchased from a local utility or pumped from wells, can add up quickly. Real estate is another consideration.


For many operators, settling ponds can use up a signifi cant amount of space that could otherwise be put to better use or sold off .


ADVANCED WATER CLARIFICATION As an alternative to conventional settling ponds, innovative options such as the Settler/Clarifi er system from Jadair International are now available to provide a continuous supply of clarifi ed water with thick, drier solids. With the Settler/Clarifi er system,


a specialised, non-toxic polymer is injected into the water stream before it enters the machine. The polymer promotes fl occulation, a process that causes small particles to clump together into larger particles called


fl ocs, which settle at the bottom and leave clarifi ed water above. The clarifi ed water is then discharged into a receiving tank for re-use. The solids are removed from the


machine and accumulate in front of the system – they can be easily moved by a loader or belt conveyor. The system then separates the suspended solids and brings them out in a thickened form that does not require secondary processing. “Discharged solids can be easily


scooped up by loaders and stacked for further drying or sale to companies such as those involved with landscaping, landfi ll, or soil remineralisation. What was once a waste product can become a saleable product,” says Schmutzler. The Settler/Clarifi er system can


recycle thousands of gallons of water per minute and is a closed loop. The water and solids are separated inside the system so the clarifi ed water can be fully re-used in the wash process. Dirty water goes in one end and clarifi ed water comes out the other. The system can handle a wide range of solids, from course material to the smallest silts or clays and does not require any ponds or secondary processing. “The system recycles wash water


and reduces the need for makeup water. This conserves resources, saves money, and protects the environment,” says Schmutzler. Once set up for a plant’s operation,


the system requires very little operator supervision. “The process is essentially


automated, which allows for minimal operator interaction. This allows the customer to do their job while the machine does its job,” Schmutzler says. “The system also requires very little maintenance and, there is no pond sludge to deal with.” He notes that the system can be


installed on a permanent or temporary basis and easily moved. To determine the best polymer for


Water tank collecting clean water from a Jadair system


each site, Jadair provides water testing and evaluation services to help to ensure optimum water clarifi cation and system performance. The company works directly with multiple polymer manufacturers to fi nd the best product for each plant’s application. Ultimately, a polymer tailored to the plant’s process


Clarifi ed water effl uent from a Jadair Settler/Clarifi er system


will yield the best results, producing cleaner water along with higher quality solids and fi nal product. In addition to Settler/Clarifi er units


with integrated polymer systems, the company also provides stand-alone polymer systems that can be used with existing settling ponds or other equipment to help keep the water cleaner and make settled solids easier to handle. At plants that already use polymers in their process, the use of Jadair polymers and systems often reduces the amount of polymer used, thereby saving their customers money. “Selecting the correct polymer,


ensuring its proper preparation, and optimising its reaction all make a signifi cant diff erence to its eff ectiveness. This meticulous approach can help plants use less polymer, achieve superior liquid/ solids separation, and get cleaner, higher quality water,” says Schmutzler, adding that customers have reported up to a 50% reduction in the amount of polymer used over previous levels. Settling ponds have long been the


accepted method of handling dirty wash water. However, mining professionals that take advantage of innovative clarifi cation systems can improve productivity by ensuring an ample supply of clarifi ed water to streamline their process and boost productivity. Operators can now have clarifi ed water, easy to handle solids, and reduced water consumption using these low-maintenance, closed-loop systems.


www.engineerlive.com 29


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52