Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena

High solids concentration agitation for minerals process intensification

  1. J. Wu1,*,
  2. S. Wang2,
  3. L. Graham1,
  4. R. Parthasarathy2,
  5. B. Nguyen1

Article first published online: 29 NOV 2010

DOI: 10.1002/aic.12468

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 57, Issue 9, pages 2316–2324, September 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wu, J., Wang, S., Graham, L., Parthasarathy, R. and Nguyen, B. (2011), High solids concentration agitation for minerals process intensification. AIChE J., 57: 2316–2324. doi: 10.1002/aic.12468

Author Information

  1. 1

    Div. of CSIRO Process Science and Engineering, Highett, VIC 3190, Australia

  2. 2

    Dept. of Chemical Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, City Campus, VIC 3001, Australia

*Div. of CSIRO Process Science and Engineering, Highett, VIC 3190, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 AUG 2011
  2. Article first published online: 29 NOV 2010
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 15 OCT 2010 12:20PM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 6 OCT 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 3 JUN 2010

Funded by

  • CSIRO Mineral Down under Flagship
  • RMIT University

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Keywords:

  • mixing;
  • process intensification;
  • solids concentration;
  • mixing;
  • agitation;
  • slurry tanks;
  • mixing intensification

Abstract

By using mixing intensification involving high solids concentration as a means to achieve process intensification for the mineral process industry is discussed here. Improving agitator energy efficiency is essential for operating at high solids concentrations. It is shown that improved agitator energy efficiency can be achieved by removing baffles and using higher power number impellers at high solids loadings. Power consumption (50–80%) reductions were demonstrated in the experiments. It is also suggested that slurry stratification in tanks can be used to boost either solids residence time or slurry mass flow. Basic equations related to solids residence time and solids throughput are presented for guidance toward minerals process intensification. An example on doubling throughput via intensification is presented. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011

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