Automatic pressure filtration in mining and metallurgy

Twenty years ago, automatic pressure filters were a novelty in the minerals and metallurgical industries. Many plants used a combination of vacuum filters and thermal dryers. Today, almost every new flotation plant installs pressure filters to dewater concentrate. Many existing concentrators and metallurgical plants have replaced or are replacing their vacuum filters by pressure filters. aper examines the reasons for the widespread adoption of automatic pressure filters. Reference is made to Larox filter installations, and their operating principles are described. Guidelines for filter selection and testwork are reviewed, and factors to be taken into account when designing a pressure filtration plant are explained.