Question
A lead-zinc sulphide concentrator processes an ore at a rate of 10,000 tonnes per day. Overall, feed slurry density is 35% solids (by weight) on
A lead-zinc sulphide concentrator processes an ore at a rate of 10,000 tonnes per day. Overall, feed slurry density is 35% solids (by weight) on average. The products involve two concentrates, namely lead and zinc concentrates obtained through a differential flotation process and a tailing stream. The daily metallurgical balance is represented by the following assays at the steady state of operation.
Weight (% dry) | Pb (% wt.) | Zn (%wt.) | Pb Recovery (%) | Zn Recovery (%) | |
Feed | 100 | 5.5 | 3.25 | ||
Pb Concentrate | L | 66.6 | 3 | ? | |
Zn Concentrate | T | 1.65 | 55.2 | ? | |
Tailings | Z | 0.25 | 0.39 |
a) Find out the % mass distributions of all three products, L, Z and T with the corresponding % recoveries of Pb and Zn to their concentrates, respectively. What are the daily tonnages of products from 10,000 tonnes of ore processed daily?.
b) Suppose that each concentrate slurry is thickened from 25% solids, wt. (as the feed to the concentrate dewatering system involving thickeners followed by pressure filters) to a filter cake containing 12% moisture, wt. The tailings are thickened from 36% solids, wt., to 60% solids, wt., with no filtration before being disposed to the environment. What is the % recovery of water from all the dewatering systems as an internal recycle water based on the feed water input to the process?
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