Thickener upgrade worth its weight in gold

Defining the project 

FLS’s team of specialists initiated a range of test work, a process review and structural analysis of the bridge and thickener tank. It was established that the existing feed system was undersized and hampered by air entrainment. The densityreliant dilution system meant that the feed stream was not being diluted, resulting in high flocculant consumption, poor overflow quality and lower than desired underflow density. 

FLS engineers recommended the mine install a proven combination of FLS’s E-DUC® dilution technology and E-Volute™ feedwell.

The solution

FLSmidth’s combined E-DUC and E-Volute solution directly targeted the thickener’s underperformance characteristics of low flocculant efficiency and feed distribution.

The E-DUC system uses feed stream momentum to dilute incoming feed prior to the feedwell, optimising flocculant consumption through improved mixing profiles and residence time.

The E-Volute feedwell provides excellent feed stream energy dissipation, optimal mixing energy and shear profiles, resulting in maximum floccule growth and even feed distribution into the thickener tank.

Initial analysis revealed the installation of FLS’s E-DUC system and E-Volute feedwell reduced flocculant consumption by 34%. It improved overall performance of the thickener, which now achieves consistent production of up to 1000 tph (original nameplate design of 700 tph). The production bottleneck at the thickener has also been eliminated. 

Average thickener underflows have been increased by 4–6% (w/w) – a level that has been set to limit increases in viscosity in the carbon-in-leach (CIL). The 34 m opposition thickener is now delivering a higher average underflow density of 52–54% (often reaching up to 56%) than the 44 m tailings thickener. This increase is giving an additional 11–16% residence time in the leach circuit, which helps to maximise recoveries. 

In a package that is unique to FLS, the complete service on this project included design, engineering, fabrication (including the new feed system), planning, scheduling, project management, installation and commissioning. FLS was able to complete the project ahead of schedule.  In fact, the planned shutdown period for installation was reduced by three shifts.  

The mine has achieved return on investment on the new system in less than six months.