DMS Processing
Dense media separation (DMS) is a gravity separation method in which a suspension material such as magnetite or ferrosilicon is used to form a medium denser than water in separation. This method is used to separate valuable materials from waste.
Multotec supplies a complete range of DMS processing equipment, which includes a customisable and industry-proven range of classification, dense medium and tailings dam cyclones.
Why DMS processing?
There are several reasons DMS processing is the chosen method for material separation. They are:
- To separate valuable material from waste
- Pre-concentration of minerals before further processes take place
- To upgrade the valuable material to meet market specifications
DMS processing can be applied in diamond, coal and iron ore processing, among others. Multotec manufactures and supplies DMS processing equipment that helps drive down your mineral processing costs.
How DMS processing works?
Flowsheet illustrating the DMS process in diamond mining. Disclaimer: All Multotec equipment is shown in green. Variations of this block flow sheet will exist based on the mineralogy of the ore. This flowsheet and its content are the copyright of Multotec (Pty) Ltd.
The dense medium seperation process functions in the following way:
Grinding and supression:
Mined ore is crushed to reduce particle size, ensuring the release of valuable minerals from the waste material.
Preparation of dense media:
Dense media used in DMS processing are made by suspending finely ground ferrosilicon or magnetite in water. The specific gravity of media is carefully controlled to achieve the desired separation efficiency.
High density media separation:
The pretreated ore slurry is fed to a DMS cyclone or bath where separation takes place. A thick medium is introduced and the mixture is stirred to ensure even distribution.
Mineral separation:
As the ore slurry enters the DMS cyclone or DMS bath, the minerals are denser than the media and settle to the bottom. They are then collected as sink products. Lighter minerals float to the top and are collected.
Media collection and recycling:
After the separation process, the media are recovered and recycled. This includes processes such as media dehydration, magnetic separation and conditioning to maintain media quality and efficiency.
Handling concentrates and tailings:
Sink products containing valuable minerals are further processed to extract the required elements or metals. Float products consisting of waste material are normally disposed of as tailings.
Dense Medium Cyclones
Our range of dense medium cyclones have proven to be efficient in the world’s toughest iron ore, platinum, diamond and coal dense medium separation applications. We offer customisable cyclones to suit the requirements of your dms processing plant.
With high chrome alloys and a specially engineered alumina wear tiles, together with our Scrolled Evolute design, Multotec DMS cyclones deliver improved wear resistance, reduced maintenance, and a greater product lifespan to help you optimise your cost-per-ton targets.
Our range of dense medium cyclones
Cast Iron Cyclones
Multotec’s cast iron dense medium cyclone range provides guaranteed separation efficiencies and maximum wear life.
Ceramic Lined Cyclones (Max)
Multotec’s MAX range of ceramic lined cyclones provides the ultimate in wear resistance with its alumina tiled cyclone engineering design.
Cyclone
Densifiers
Our cyclone densifiers maximise water removal and minimise medium loss in a dense medium circuit.
Monocone
Cyclone
Monocone cyclones combine the spigot and cone into a single unit, which extends cyclone lifespan and increases separation efficiency.
Multotec’s dense medium cyclones are field tested to improve dense medium separation accuracy and efficiency.
DMS Benefits
The advantages of dense medium separation include:
- Maximum separation efficiency
- Reduced misplacement of product
- Minimised turbulence
- Lower energy consumption
DMS processing aftersales services
Multotec offers field service maintenance to ensure that your DMS processing plant operates optimally.
With 50 years of application experience, maintenance management and a mobile workforce of field technicians, our skilled field services teams have a comprehensive understanding of customer mineral processing challenges.
To suit the pro-active maintenance design of our DMS processing equipment, we also offer a range of condition monitoring products that will support the continuous operation of plant and equipment at optimum efficiency.
Cyclone spares
Multotec manufactures cyclone spares for its complete ranges of DMS cyclones and hydrocyclones. With 6 models of DMS cyclones and hydrocyclones, each available in 5 to 12 different sizes with numerous configurations, means we have in excess of 10 000 cyclone spare parts for these two cyclone ranges.
In addition to manufacturing spare parts, Multotec holds critical parts in stock for clients after entering client agreements to reduce clients’ unplanned downtime. When Multotec’s spares cannot be used due to another cyclone brand being installed, our adapter pieces allow for the fitment of specific Multotec wear items like spigots and vortex finders, for example.