Studies on optimization of parameters for dewatering of ground calcite-rich ore

Abstract

This paper deals with filtration of very-fine size ground brecciated calcitic limestone ore slurry using flocculant chemicals. Screening of flocculants was carried out using capillary suction time (CST). Optimization of the neutral slurry filtration behaviour was carried out using a commercial non-ionic type polyacrylamide based synthetic flocculant. Response surface methodology and central composite rotatable design was used for model development and optimization of the filtration process. Critical filtration parameters such as applied vacuum, cake thickness and flocculant dosage were optimized. A correlation coefficient of 0.97 was obtained both for filtration rate and percent cake moisture. The analysis of variance of the determined model indicated that linear effects, interaction effects, quadratic effects, linear terms of all the three variables and some interaction among them are more significant for the filtration rate and cake moisture percent. The optimum filtration rate of 742 kg/(h m²) was obtained at the optimum conditions with cake moisture of 22.3%.