SUPAFLO THICKENERS AND CLARIFIERS

Supaflo Thickeners and Clarifiers are operating in

mineral processing, chemical, water treatment,
industrial and effluent applications in many
countries throughout the world. The first Supaflo
Thickener was installed in 1985 and the many
innovative features of these units, plus an ongoing
commitment to testwork, researchand development
and after sales service have ensured rapid
acceptance in a wide range of industries.

A worldwide network of Iicensees and agents is

used to market and manufacture Supaflo
Thickeners, with design offices in Australia, Europe
and North America. This means that, no matter
where you are, Supaflo's advanced thickener
technology is easily accessible
to you.

Supaflo is a member of the

Outokumpu Mintec Group.
Outokumpu is one of the
world's leading integrated
multimetal and resource corn­
panies with mining, mineral
processing, refining, equip­
ment manufacturing, advanced
technology development pro­
grams and sales organisations
in over 30 countries.

Gold taílings , Westem Australia

PAGE
 ADVANTAGES

LOW CAPITAL COST

• Optimized design
• High rate units reduce area by up to 90%
• Precise testwork procedures allow accurate

sizing

LOW OPERATING COST

• Patented "Aut odilution" system minimises

flocculant consumption.

• "Floc- Miser" feedwell ensures efficient Coal Tailings, Indonesia

flocculation.
• Simple control system provides stable

operat ion.

GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE
• Bench scale and pilot tests provide data for

direct scale up and writt en guarantees.

• Extended drive warranty.

HIGH RELlABILlTY
Zinc Refinery, Tasmania
• Patented "Iow drag " rake arm reduces torq ue

loading on drive.

• Proven hydraulic drive and rakelift offer four

levels of system protection.

• Robust control system.

SHORT DELlVERY TIME

• Full range of CAD designs is quickly tailored

to client needs.

• Orive components norma lly available fro m

stock. Zinc and Lead concentrates Western Australia

WORLDWIDE SERVICE
• Laboratory and on-site test ing
• Design offices in Nort h America, Austra lia

and Europe .

• Ongo ing process and techn ical support

provided through local offices .

Gold pre -Ieach, Ghana

PA GE
 COMPLETE SERVICE

TESTWORK
Bench or pilot scale
testwork can be conducted
either on-s ite or in one of
our laboratories around the
world. Process guarantees
are given based on test
results. •
••
••
••••••••••••••••••••••••• SELECTION
Testwork results and our previous
experience are used to select the
OESIGN appropriate size and type of thickener or
The selected unit is clarifier to satisfy the process requirements
tailored to the for each application.
needs of the user in ••
one of our regional
CAD design offices.
-.­ .
FABRICATION
•• Our project engineers
: monitor all aspects of
• • • • • • • • • • • • • fabrication to ensure
that the required quality
and delivery are attained.
INSTALLATION ••
Complete installation or ••
supervision is provided •••••••••••••
as required.
COMMISSIONING
•• Mechanical and process commissioning are
•• performed by Supaflo trained engineers.
••
•••
••
•
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
PROCESS ANO
TECHNICAL ••
•••
SUPPORT
Process advice ,

technical support and

service are provided -,

. ~"lo

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
through Supaflo's world t • .

wide network of

licensees.

PAGE

 BENCH SCALE AND PILOT PLANT TESTWORK

Testwork is required for selection of the correct
th ickener or cla rifier size and configuration for
each ap plication. Supaflo is well known for its
professional testwork serv ice using:
• cylinder settl ing tests
• continuous dynamic bench scale tests
• pilot plant tests
AII Supaflo licensees are trained and equipped to
perform this service.
HIGH RATE THICKENERS AND
CLARIFIERS
The method generally used to accurately
determine the size and expected performance of
Supaflo High Rate Thickeners and Clarifiers ls
dynamic bench or pilot scale testwork, as static
settling tests do not adequately simulate the high
rate principie.
TEST RESULTS

Conventional
Thickeners and
Clarifiers
Many laboratory
methods have FLOCCULANT DOSE

been developed for

sizing of conven­
Continuous bench scale tests are performed in our
tional th ickeners
100mm (4") diameter dynamic thickener/clarifier at
and c1arifiers based
plant site or in our laboratories. A sample of your
on cy linder settling
slurry containing 10-25kg (22-55Ib) of solids is all
tests. The most
that is requ ired for a series of bench tests to
commonly used is
determ ine underflow density and overflow c1arity
the Talmage and Fitch method as it is reasonably
for a range of feedrates and floccu lant dosages.
simple and gives a conservative result.
A one metre (3.28 ft)
diameter skid mounted
500 pilot unit complete with
a flocculant make-up
E-<
and dos ing system,
==
O
.... 400
=Salid. Weight automatic flocculant
~
W
Gc =Thickener Flux addition and underflow
~
S =Safety Factor
U Tc =Critical Time withdrawal, is also
300 K =Cylinder Factor
-<
~ available for on site
~ testwork. A feedrate of
E-<
Z
.... 200
1-8 m 3/h (4.4-35.2 U S
gpm) of pulp is required
100+- r-_.....;;~===~=
for the pilot plant thickener/clarifier.
o 20 40fc 60 so
TIME TESTWORK DATA BASE
A data base of all Supaflo thickener test results
Cylinder settling tests are also used for sizing of from around the world is maintained for
clarifiers based on rise rate and detention time, preliminary thickener sizing and to assist in
although Supaflo's preferred method is selection of full scale units.
continuous dynamic tests wherever possible.

PAGE

, SU PAF lO TH ICKE NERS AN D(lARI FIERS

+
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
IL _

HIGH RATE CONVENTIONAL HIGH RATE CLARIFIERS

THICKENERS
• deep feedwell
• de-aeration chamber
• deflector plate
THICKENERS AND
• deep feedwell
CLARIFIERS
• de-aeration chamber
• small, shallow feedwell • deflector plate
• flocculants not essential • controlled flocculated

• controlled flocculated • low torque requirement solids bed level

solids bed level • insensitive to short term

• underflow recycle

• high throughput per unit process changes

.small size

area • up to 60m diameter • clear overflow

• free-standing or in-ground
tanks
• small size
• short retention time
• clear overflow
Suitable for all applications
where flocculants can be used
in the process and where feed
rate to the thickener does not
vary substantially over a short
period of time.
• centre or peripheral drive
• centre column or full bridge
Available as "traditional"
conventional units, however
hybrid versions of these are
available in which various
design features of our high rate
thickeners are used for
particular applications. These
modifications can result in
improved overflow clarity,
lower flocculant usage, higher
feed rates and improved
control.
The operating principie of
Supaflo's High Rate Thickener
is ideally suited to clarification,
with overflow being filtered
through a flocculated solids
bed. Thickened underflow is
often recycled externally
(pumped) and mixed with the
feed stream prior to flocculation
to increase the feed solids level
to between 1 and 3%. In this
way, particle capture onto the
flocculant structure is
optimised.

Primary sewage sludqe, Aus tralia

 .

SUPAFlO THICKENERS AND ClARIFIERS . . '1

MUNICIPAL SOLIOS CONTACT LIME SATURATORS

THICKENERS ANO CLARIFIER • saturated lime solutions
CLARIFIERS • combines flash mixing, • Over 85% usage of

• peripheral, centre column flocculation, clarification, available Ca (OH)2

or full bridge designs sludge collection and • variable speed impeller and

• Iow cost thickening in one operation. separate rake drive

• robust Iight construction • minimises chemical mechanism

requirements by using the • controlled sludge level

• long Iife drive with

solids contact or seeding

extended warranty
• high rate feedwell for

principie.
• standard or logarithmic improved solids dispersion

scraper blades • variable speed impeller and

Used to make saturated lime
separate rake drive
• picket rakes solution for drinking water
mechanism
• scum removal system plants at rates in excess of 3 kg
• deep clear water zone
• wire brushes of Ca(OH)¡h/m 2. Milk of lime
• typically recirculates up to solution is fed continuously into
A range of low cost, reliable 5 times feed flow rate the reaction zone where it is
designs is available for the intimately mixed with recycled
A variable speed impeller is
various clarification and carbonate sludge. The sludge
used to recirculate and mix
thickening applications in is controlled at the required
flocculated underflow, raw feed
primary, secondary and tertiary level by varying the sludge
and chemicals to optimise
treatment of municipal waste
flocculant usage and overflow withdrawal rateo
and for water clarification.
c1arity. Typically used for water
or wastewater applications
where chemicals are added to
enhance flocculation and
Nickel Concentrete, Western Australia Coal tailings. South Africa
sedimentation. Separate
drive mechanisms are
used for sludge raking
and sludge recirculation .

...,
 THE FlOCMISER FEEDWEll

Settling aids are used in most thickeners and TYPICALTEST DATA

62
clarifiers and in each appl ication there is an ideal 61
;... 60
feed solids concentration for optimum flocculant
"'" 59
usage. Our testwork is used to determine this ~ 58
r.loo
Q Q 57
solids concentration, and the feedwell sized and :::::l 56

designed to allow for dilution or concentration as

g~ 55
~ ~ 54
r.l 53
required.
!2 52
P 51
To decrease the feed solids level prior to 50
49 +-T""""""l---r-r--r I
flocculation , Supaflo has developed the patented o 10 15 20 25 30

"Autodilution" system which harnesses the FLOCCULANT DOSAGE (gl t of solids)

natural head difference across the feedwell wall

to drive supernatant liquor into the feedwell • variable depth flocculant spargers
where slurry dilution, mixing and flocculation take • restricted bottom exit to eliminate short­
place. circuiting.

The "Autodilution" patent also incorporates the RETROFIT AND BENEFIT

principie of momentum transfer whereby dilution
water is drawn in through an eductor in the feed
line and this method of dilution can be used
when required.
Dilution Water
Typical SGvalues only
"Autodilution" maintains the density in the
feedwell within the optimum range for
flocculation irrespective of feed flowrate or
density.
The benefits of the Supaflo "Floc-Miser" feedwell
in both conventional and high rate thickeners are
DRAMATIC.
• Reduced flocculant cost - an investment in a
"Floc- Miser" feedwell is usually recovered in
3-12 months.
• Increased settling rates Le. higher solids
throughputs.
• Increased underflow density for a given
flocculant dosage.
• Elimination of dilution water pumping costs.
• Improved CCD wash efficiency.
Many thickeners have now been retrofitted with
"Floc-Miser" feedwells, including large
conventional thickeners of up to 90m diameter.

"Autodilution" is an integral part of the "FLOC­

MISER" feedwell , incorporating many other
features which allow the operator to optimise
flocculation and feed distribution such as:

• de-ae ration of feed slurry

• variable baffles to control mixing
• controlled pulp injection velocity

PAGE
IIBII

 DRIVES i
I

Supaflo offers a wide accurate torque measurement through hydraulic

range of robust thick­ pressure; four levels of drive protection;
ener and clarifier intrinsically safe rake
drives using off the Iift; easy reversibility;
shelf components optional manual
wherever practical. pump for raising
Several levels of pro­ rakes on power
tection are generally failure.
used to minimise the
possibility of damag-
ing the drive mechanism. ELECTROMECHANICAL ORIVE
ANO LIFT
HYORAULlC RAKE ORIVE ANO LlFT This has been developed for applications where
hydraulics are not acceptable.
A slow speed hydraulic motor acting
through an epicyclic
gearbox is used to
drive the rakes. The
optional rake lifting
mechanism comprises
2 or 4 hydraulic cylin­
ders operating in paral­
lel, which raise and
lower the drive
base.

The Supaflo
TORQUE
drive system
MEASUREMENT
has many
Accurate and reliable torque
significant
measurement is essential for
advantages
drive protection and
over traditional
thickener control.
multistage
electro­ • hydraulic pressure
mechanical transmitter.
drives: • electric motor torque
monitor.
• torque arm monitor.
Mineral Sands. Western Australia
 THICKENER CONTROL

Supaflo can provide you with specialist knowhow BED LEVEL DETECTOR
for the control and operation of conventional and • Continuously monitors the solid-Iiquid inter­
high rate thickeners. face and gives an indication of the degree of
flocculation in the solids bed

SUPAFLO HIGH RATE • Used to control the flocculant pump speed

THICKENER CONTROL
PRESSURE TRANSDUCER
CONTROL PHILOSOPHY
• Measures the pressure created by the mass
Two simple discrete control loops are used to: of solids in the tank
• maintain a constant bed mass by varying • Used to control underflow pump speed
underflow withdrawal rate
• maintain a constant bed level by varying
flocculant addition rateo

....................•.....••....... ~

••
LT ~ulantPump

Sed Level Detector

t-----I t---I
f
111 - - - - ~ I
Feed

'- .(I~-~ Underflow

The strategies used for control of conventional thickeners with their large volume and long retention time
are considerably different to those used in high rate thickeners. The aims of minimising flocculant and
chemical additives to achieve the required underflow density and overflow clarity are however the same
for both types.

The requirements for control of your thickener should be discussed with a Supaflo expert so that we can
design a system for your application.

PAGE
El

TYPICAl PE RFORMANCE DATA ,1

I

 TYPICAL DIMENSIONS

I HIGH RATE THICKENERS I CONVENTlONAL THICKENERS I

~~%~~~~p»»~~~»~~~r

<v~
q.'V
~
«-9
O~
"'v •• -.s:~ . ~~ .-.s:~ . -.s:~ . ~~ .e~ ~«;~~ c.;;'"~
.•
,?, /Q ••0 /¿ .Q..«. ~O ~'?'
:¡ü'U\J 1, 1
••<Q
., ~
~
••0
.«~ .e~ /¿.e~ .«.. ~~ ~O~«;~~ ~'?'c.;;'"~
"""1l ti41:
,.Q

I 2 1 in 4 1 2000 I 1200 I 2190 1200 1200 2150 1.5 2800 1000 1990 1200 1200 2150 1.1 2500
rl ,,:;{?fJ[

I 4 1 in 4 I 4000 I 1800 1 4000 2190 2190 4150 3.0 6100 1500 3700 2190 2190 4150 2.2 5500
t:::III~: an
I 6 1 in 4 I 6000 I 1800 I 4690 3450 3200 6150 3.0 11600 1500 4390 3300 3200 6150 2.2 10400
13. 1 O!:O "'4 lOO 1..m 5(]11....2~1 1IiI38001 1
I 8 1 in 4 I 8000 I 2400 1 5300 4550 4200 8150 4.0 19500 1800 5100 4300 4200 8150 2.2 15800
,4\ l 22400 ~2lJ[Jll! I-.:~Ha P"""f9001 !t7
I 10 1 in 4 110000 I 2200 I 5860 5550 5200 10150 4.0 24900 2000 5660 5400 5200 10150 3.0 22400
00 1 ~6:Z O 3.6
I 13.5 1 in 5 113500 1 2400 I 6800 7700 7050 13650 5.5 37500 2000 6400 7500 7050 13650 3.0 33800
00 a9J.OO 2 '.82501 1 ~7.8 70011
I 18 1 in6 118000 I 2800 I 7450 10000 9300 18150 7.5 68300 2400 7050 9800 9300 18150 4.0 61500
7S600~I .~·24oo!i "\ ('ó!tIUJ UlIflO IV:1 ~.

I 22 1 in 6 I 22000 I 2800 1 7830 12000 11300 22150 11.0 99300 2400 7430 11800 11300 22150 5.5 89400
O 24DOP.n 89 i251
I 27 1 in 6 I 27000 I 2800 I 9750 14500 14000 27150 15.0 187000 2400 9350 14300 14000 27150 11.0 168300
400 015 HIOOI
I 35 1 in 8 I 35000 1 3000 11OS00 18500 18000 35150 18.0 220000 2800 10300 18300 18000 35150 15.0 200000
5 :2800 , uoO 20500

AII dimensions are typical only and subjecl lo change wnnoot notic e.

, 1 Bridge
2 Tank
3 Support Columns
~--" D " ---->t+ ---- "E" --~ ... 4 RakeArms
5 Orive Shaft
6 Power Pack
7 Orive Gear&
Rake Lift
...
•0:
8
9
Feedwell
Oefiector Cone
~ 10 Control Panel
11 Underflow Cone
12 Overflow laund er
13 Flocculant spargers
14 Bed Level Probe
15 Feedpipe
~ "A" - - -- ----+l 16 Overflow pipe

Gold ore-tesen and lailings, France

TANKS
Free-standing and on ground tanks in carbon or
stainless steel specifically designed for each application
and situation, including earthquake allowance.
Scalloped tank floor designs and finite element analysis
are used extensively to optimise steel weight.

LlDS
Wide range of thickener lid desígns with fixed,
removable and hinged sectors. These can be
manufactured from a diversity of materíals including
FRp, stainless and mild stee!.

PATENTED LOW DRAG RAKE ARMS

Supaflo's patented " LOW DRAG" rake arms reduce the
torque loading on the thickener drive as they move
easily through the thickened solids.

FROTH REMOVAL
Froth removal trough with beach and rotating froth
skimmer effectively removes surface froth. Froth sprays
and froth recirculation are used where appropriate.

PICKET FENCE RAKES

Enhance the release of interstitial water and occluded
gas primarlly in municipal sludge applications.

STAINLESS STEEL
Thickener tanks and mechanisms can be supplied in a
wide range of stainless steels at reasonable cost. Our
experience covers the full spectrum from 3D4L to highly
corrosion resistant duplex alloys.

PA GE
Australia
Finland Peru

Supaflo Technolog ies Pty Ud

Outokumpu Mintec Oy Outokumpu Sucursal Del Peru

5 Skyline Place
P.O. Box 84
Calle Los Anades 199

Frenchs Forest NSW 2086

Riihitontuntie 7B
Urbanizacion El Palomar, San Isidro

Tel: INT + 61 2 975 6060

FIN-02201 Espoo
Lima 27

Fax: INT + 61 2 9756070

Tel: INT + 358 O 4211
Tel: INT + 51 14402479

Fax: INT + 358 0421 2614

Fax: INT + 51 14420582

Western Australia

Supaflo Technologies Pty Ud

Germany Russia

907 Canning Highway

Eickhoff Verfahrenstechnilk GmbH Mineral Processing Engineers

Mt Pleasant WA 6153
Timmerhellstrabe 35-39
21 Line, 8A, 199026 Sto Petersburg

Tel: INT + 61 93161966

D-4330 MULHEIM An Der Ruhr
Tel: INT + 7 812 213 9986

Fax: INT + 61 93161952

Tel: INT + 49 208 99 90-0
Fax: INT + 7 812 213 9202

Fax: INT + 49 208 99 90-250

Canada
South Africa
Outokumpu Mintec Canada Ud
India Outokumpu Mintec
6495 Northam Drive Mississauga
McNally Bangalore Industries Limited South Africa (Pty) Ud
Ontario L4V 1J2
Whitefield P.O.
P.O. Box 4197

Tel: INT + 61 1 905 671 3304

Bangalore 560066
Halfway House, 1685

Fax: INT + 61 1 905 671 8413

Karnataka
Tel: INT + 27 11 3153727

Tel: INT + 80 8452596

Fax INT + 27113154139

Chile

Fax: INT + 80 8452764

Outokumpu Tecnica Chile Uda

U.S.A.

Seminaro 90
Mexico Outokumpu Mintec U.S.A. Inc.

Providencia
Outokumpu Mintec Mexico SA de CV 109 Inverness Drive East

Santiago
P.O. Box 105211
Englewood , Co 80112

Tel: INT + 56 2 274 4201

Goethe No. 72, Col. Anzures
Tel: INT + 1 303792 3110

Fax: INT + 56 2 223 4989

SF-11590 Mexico DF
Faxl: INT + 1 303 792 6892

Tel: INT + 52 5 203 5968

Fax: INT + 5252031018