Pumping Thickener Underflow Slurries

Concentrate Slurry containing a abrasive materials from three areas including very abrasive high grade nickel concentrate, mixture of copper and nickel and copper slurry with low nickel, flows up to 359 l/min (95 US GPM), up to 72% solids density of 4.29 - 4.97.  

3 Verderflex VF80 pumps were initially purchased to replace Soft Rubber Lined (SRL) Centrifugal pumps and subsequently more VF80s have been installed.

21 US Gallon (80 litre) Air domes were fitted on discharge lines to reduce pulsation due to slurry settling concerns (the existing discharge lines were under-sized to prevent chokes) and expansion bellows were installed on the suction side to improve suction line conditions.

As a result, typical hose lives are 4,000 hours unless line becomes choked. With such infrequent maintenance, the metallurgist estimated their maintenance savings >100 hours per year.