Summary
The design, fabrication and commissioning, of an ASFLOC® “Flocculant Preparation Plant”, were successfully carried out for a dynamic leaching operation with a Counter-Current Decantation (CCD) circuit, including the supply of ASFLOC® flocculant.MR.
Background
A new plant with a Merrill–Crowe process for gold recovery in northern Mexico requires, from its design stage, an automatic flocculant preparation, dilution and dosing, system that is precise and efficient, in order to ensure proper solid–liquid separation in the Counter-Current Decantation (CCD) process and achieve greater recovery of high-quality pregnant leach solution.
Additionally, the plant requested the selection of the most suitable flocculant for the process operating conditions.
Scope of Project
Evaluate, develop and implement, an automatic system for the preparation, dilution and dosing, for ASFLOC® brand flocculant.
Supply and commissioning the following equipment:
- One Flocculant Preparation Unit model EPFCL25SUH/40/304/440
- Two Booster Pump Stations model EBB100/80 with 100 LPM capacity
- Two Flocculant Transfer Units model UTRAS – AUT50/60 with 50 LPM capacity
- One Flocculant Dilution Unit model UDIL – AUT100 with 100 LPM capacity
- Two Flocculant Dosing Units model UDOS – AUT100/60 with 100 LPM capacity
- One Ultrasonic Level Sensor
Carry out sedimentation tests to determine and supply the polymer with the best sedimentation and clarification performance.
Train plant personnel, covering equipment start-up and shutdown, adjustment of flocculant concentration, dilution and dosing parameters, alarm interpretation, and preventive maintenance routines.
Supervise the operation of the “Flocculant Plant” and the performance of the supplied flocculant.
Benefits
- Availability of a flocculant fully suited to the process
- Availability of a reliable and automatic equipment for the proper and precise preparation, dilution and dosing, of flocculant
- Optimum recovery of high-quality pregnant leach solution
- Reduce intervention by operations and maintenance personnel
- Mejora en los costos de operación
