High Rate Clarifier

High-suspended solids in a clarifier overflow stream threaten the sustainable and effective operation of downstream equipment or processes.

This contaminated water could result in a series of problems:

• Replacement of costly hydro-power equipment and pumping infrastructure in the mining environment
• Silting of storage/intermediate dams and tanks
• Environmental strain when water is discharged into nearby streams
• Cost-intensive repairs of downstream infrastructure and processes when blockages occur
• Flooding of underground operations due to infrastructure failure

We have harnessed years of combined experience in clarifier operations to develop a unique modular system, which is revolutionising the way clarifying is done in the mining & process plant industry.

Our High Rate Clarifier has achieved the most compact footprint per water volume treated in the industry. This brings about the potential in the mining environment for major savings in underground excavations for new installations and also accommodates the upgrade of most existing clarifier systems.

Each module consists of a feed launder arrangement, clear water overflow launder, sludge underflow discharge and a maintenance/operational staircase and platform.

Clarifier upgrades and retrofits

Old operational mines extend their life-of-mine and economic viability by mining deeper and further than was originally planned. Mining continues as far as possible using the existing infrastructure, including the infrastructure associated with the mine water reticulation system.

The increased mining activity loads the settlers beyond the original design specifications, causing significant strain on the performance of the settlers and subsequent mine water quality. The constraints that limit the upgrading of existing settlers are high cost and limited haulage space.

Watercare Innovations’ has successfully applied clarifier upgrades using our unique high-rate clarifier technology. We’re able to increase settler capacity up to 200% utilising the existing settlers.

Applications:

• Underground/surface mining operations
• Process and industrial plants
• Wastewater
• Drinking water
• Pre-treatment to membrane plants
• Softening
• Removal of industrial precipitated metals

Benefits:

• Single-level, compact excavation required in underground mining applications
• Rapid stabilisation of the system, assisted by flow-controlled feed launders
• No moving parts
• Maintenance can be done via the access platform while the system is online
• Modular design
• Drastically reduced installation costs due to the rapid assembly of bolted components
• Minimal civil construction required
• Semi- or fully automatic control available
• Minimal operator intervention

Specifications:

• Rise rate (maximum): 40 m/hour or 132 ft./hour
• Construction material: Low-carbon Steel
• Corrosion protection: Hot Dip Galvanised
• Solids content (Feed): 0.1 – 2.0 %
• Solid content (Overflow): Less than 30 ppm
• Specific gravity (Underflow): 1.05 to 1.3

Process and physical parameters: