Laboratory Testing for Design of Thickener Circuits

Introduction Feed dilution or solids-liquid weight The English word "sedimentation" ratio is derived from the Latin verb "sedere" Size and shape of the particulate meaning to sink down. As a mineral solids processing unit operation, sedimentaSpecific gravity differential between tion has been defined as the separation the solids and liquid phases of a suspension into a supernatant presence of electrolytes and/or floccuclear fluid and rather dense slurry lant a containing a higher concentration of solid (Brown, G.G. 1960). Sedimentation has been historically subdivided into thickening, which has the primary purpose of increasing the solids content of one of the thickener products relative to the feed stream, and clarification, which has the primary purpose of removing solids from the feed stream to produce a product essentially free from particulate matter. There is no absolutely precise distinction between these subdivisions and in certain applications, both objective8 can be accomplished.