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The quad start HX5 high capacity
mineral spiral concentrator developed by Multotec
Process Equipment. |
New Hx5 Heavy-Mineral Spiral
Slashes Equipment Cost Multotec Process Equipment has developed
the HX5 high-capacity mineral spiral concentrator, which has
up to four troughs (this is also known as a quad start),
aimed at the mineral-processing industry where gravity
concentration is employed.
“Developed in-house and supplementing our current product
range, this is a very cost-effective mineral spiral
concentrator as it is capable of treating large tonnages in
a reduced plant area,” Dean Lincoln, Multotec Process
Equipment gravity concentration product manager, explains.
The HX5 high-capacity mineral spiral concentrator can be
manufactured in single, twin, triple or quadruple starts. It
measures 1 000 mm in diameter and comprises five-turn units.
The tonnage rating per start ranges from five tons per hour
to nine tons per hour, depending on the type of mineral
being processed.
“The HX5 is ideal for the treatment of low-grade ore where
large tonnages are processed. There is a reduction in the
plant footprint of over 33% compared to conventional
spirals, depending on the configuration and the mineral
treated,” Lincoln says. |
As an example, he refers to a unit with a nominal feed of
7.5 tons per start, assembled in a three-start
configuration. There is a bank of eight spirals with a
capacity of 180 tons per hour, with a plant footprint of 2.2
metres by 4.4 metres. This equates to a surface area of 10
m2, and 18 tons per square metre.
“Compare this to a standard spiral bank of a similar size,
with a capacity of 48 tons per hour, a floor area of 8 m2
and six tons per square metre. Therefore the HX5 has three
times the capacity of the traditional spiral bank,” Lincoln
says.
“Multotec Process Equipment has sold the HX5 successfully
into Brazil for an iron ore application, and into a chromite
application in South Africa. Some units have also been sold
into smaller applications in Zimbabwe. We are continually
testing the technology, and are hoping to expand its
application in the mining industry,” Lincoln concludes.
More About Multotec Process Equipment
Multotec Process Equipment, part of the Multotec Group, is a
leading manufacturer and supplier of process equipment to
the extractive metallurgical and industrial markets. The
company’s product line-up includes dense media and hydro
cyclones, gravity concentrating spirals, magnetic separators
and complete sampling systems. |
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