Comparative Analysis of Three Arrangements Employing Thickeners, Filters, and Hydrocyclones for Effective Dewatering of Iron Ore Processing Plant Tailings

In mineral processing, reducing water consumption is a challenge. The investigation evaluated three arrangements (thickener-disc filters, thickener-hydrocyclone, and thickener-hydrocyclone -disc filters) to maximize the dewatering of tailings from the Siriz iron ore processing plant. Testing and sampling were conducted on an industrial scale. The dewatering capacities for the first to third arrangements ranged from 27.3 to 33.1 t/h, respectively. The moisture content of the products was between 24.6 and 26.8%. According to the results, combining dewatering hydrocyclones with thickeners and disk filters can increase the dewatering capacity. The water loss rate for these arrangements was 0.32, 0.33, and 0.35 m³/t·h, respectively. The use of thickeners and hydrocyclones without filters is not recommended because of the decreased performance of the thickeners, with up to 25 g/t greater flocculant consumption.