In this way, the size and cost of the gravity settler can be minimised by matching the thickening and clarifying requirements more closely.The two basic criteria for gravity settling equipment are good clarity of the overflow liquid and maximum density of the underflow solids discharge. The area needed to clarify a suspension is often greater than that needed for thickening. This means that in a cylindrical thickening tank, the lower section with rakes and drive mechanism can be oversized. Last years there has been an increased interest for using the Metso IPS in the Potash Industry.
The Inclined Plate Settlers, IPS are suitable for:
- E.g. Sand & Gravel
- Potash
- Zinc Concentrate
- Soil Treatment
- Iron Ore
- Contaminated Soil
- Coal Slurry, Chemical Process Industry
- FGD
- Oil Sand/Water separation
- Limestone
- Salt Crystal separation
Main benefits of IPS are:
- Delivered as one-piece unit or in prefabricated sections together with smaller foundations and less floor space needed gives lower installation costs
- Square outline for easier planning and construction
- Can be installed in any system and is easy to relocate to adapt to process changes gives flexibility for plant extensions
- Small internal volume and surface area
- Easily insulated against heat loss or toxic fume emissions
- Evaporative losses are minimised.
- Simple construction of sheet steel and standard profiles
- Special materials and coatings can easily be incorporated
- Easy to maintain
Main features of IPS are:
- Heavy duty construction of tank, sludge hopper and lamella plate packs, as well as the rake system. Rake lifting mechanism as option
- Positioning of specifically designed feed ports for optimum ratio between clarification and thickening area
- Wide spacing of lamella plates to handle high density feed pulps and coarse solid particles
- No short circuiting or surface turbulence
- Integrated flocculator with variable speed stirrer
- Shorter pipework runs
- High level installation for gravity feed to downstream processes
- Easier supervision