Tailings

Mining dams pose a substantial risk, and residue management clearly needs to change. Alfa Laval is leading that transformation. The robust design and large capacity of our solid-bowl decanter centrifuges have proven the perfect solution for safe and secure dewatering of mining tailings. The small footprint substantially reduces installation space. The consistency of the solids fraction is perfect for co-disposal or dry stacking. And you recover large volumes of water for reuse.

A hand holdning the dry output of a decanter

Ensuring a fast, continuous process for safe, clean and efficient solid-liquid separation

  • High capacity and separation efficiency with optimal solids dryness
  • Long working life
  • Designed for high-density sludge
  • Compact design and small installation area
  • Easy to scale-up capacities from test results
The proven design and performance of Alfa Laval decanter centrifuges are based on decades of research and development in challenging solid-liquid separation applications. The unique bowl geometries, exceptional solids handling rates and robust design combine to set new standards in mining tailings management. The Alfa Laval decanter is wear-resistant, made with high-grade materials to withstand harsh environment of erosion and corrosion.
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Wie die Technologie funktioniert

Die Alfa Laval P2 und P3 Dekanterzentrifugen wurden speziell für die Trennung von Mineralerzschlämmen und Tailings in die feste und flüssige Phase entwickelt. Die Trennung erfolgt in einer horizontalen zylindrischen Trommel, die mit einem Schneckenförderer ausgestattet ist. Der Zulaufschlamm tritt durch ein stationäres Einlaufrohr in die Trommel ein und wird dann in der Zulaufzone gleichmäßig beschleunigt. Zentrifugalkräfte von bis zu 3.500 G trennen die Feststoffpartikel von der Flüssigkeit und die Feststoffe sammeln sich an der Innenfläche der Trommel an.

Der Förderer rotiert in der gleichen Richtung wie die Trommel, jedoch mit einer anderen Geschwindigkeit. Dadurch erhalten die Feststoffpartikel einen axialen Schub und der Förderer fördert diese Partikel in Richtung des konischen Trommelendes. Die Feststoffe verlassen die Trommel durch die Feststoffaustragsöffnungen in das Gehäuse, während die geklärte Flüssigkeit die Trommel über verstellbare Plattendämme oder Kraftrohre in das Gehäuse fließt.

Vorteile des Dekanters

  • Kurze Amortisationszeit
  • Hohe Kuchentrockenheit
  • Hohe Volumenkapazität
  • Geschlossener Prozess, der zu guten Arbeitsbedingungen führt
  • Volle Unterstützung durch unser globales Serviceteam, auch an entfernten Standorten

Tailing dewatering

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Breaking new ground in mining and minerals

Alfa Laval’s solid-bowl decanter centrifuges are the perfect choice for a wide range of solid-liquid separation duties in mining and mineral applications. They can replace or complement existing solutions and help boost capacity, reduce tailings volumes, save space and increase the recovery of water, chemicals and minerals. Above all, the decanter eliminates the need for tailing damns which enhance the intrinsic safety of your operation. 

Optimizing your solid-liquid separation processes is a straightforward way to cut operating and investment costs while minimizing your company’s environmental impact. In many cases you can raise plant profitability by simply adding Alfa Laval’s solid-bowl decanter centrifuges to traditional separation systems such as thickeners, sedimentation basins, filters, etc, or replace the old system altogether.

 

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Rix’s Creek Coal Preparation Plant, Australia

The Rix’s Creek coal mining operation, part of the Bloomfield Group, set out to improve its onsite coal tailings management as part of its sustainability strategy. This is done in order to reduce water and energy consumption and minimize the surface footprint of waste handling processes.

Rix's creek Coal Preparation Plant in Australia

Mature fine tailings, Canada

More than 30 Alfa Laval decanter centrifuges have been installed at three different tailings treatment sites in Canada. The decanters have proven to be an outstandingly efficient solution for large-scale dewatering of tailings. They efficiently remove the finest particles that conventional solids control equipment is unable to deal with.

Syncrude in Canada

Eti Maden, Turkey

The world’s largest borate mining company is Eti Maden in Turkey. There they use an array of fully protected Alfa Laval decanter centrifuges to separate tailings from a saturated borate solution. The company is very pleased with the long track record of reliable operation, low maintenance costs and strong local service support from Alfa Laval.

Eti Maden in Turkey
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Tailings management

Meet the tailings dewatering challenge with Alfa Laval’s decanter centrifuges. They offer a cost effective, sustainable and, above all, safe solution to manage tailings. Download the brochure to read more about our cleaner, more efficient and safer solid-liquid separation systems.

tailing ponds
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Make sustainable development happen!

If you are looking for ways to increase the efficiency of your tailings management and make a meaningful contribution to the global sustainable development goals, contact Alfa Laval today to learn more about our proven and cost efficient solutions.

Man wearing a jacket with Alfa Laval logotype