Vane FeedwellTM

Feedwells have a significant influence on thickener performance.

The last major innovation in feedwell design was back in the
early 1990s – until now. The unique design of Outotec’s new Vane
FeedwellTM creates conditions for optimal thickener performance.

Advantages

Reduced plant operating cost

Reduced flocculant consumption
Increased underflow density
Higher solids throughput
Improved water recovery and clarity
Increased reagent/mineral recovery
Stable operation, less downtime
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Unique. A true performer.

The Vane FeedwellTM is the result of many years of internal Cutting-edge in-house CFD modelling
research and rigorous site testwork, followed by CSIRO
The previously rudimentary understanding of feedwell
CFD analysis. It is a cutting-edge design and the first major
and thickener flow patterns is taken to the next level
innovation in the thickening industry since self-diluting
with advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The
systems such as Outotec’s AutodilTM were introduced.
Vane FeedwellTM and today’s thickener designs can truly
Applications be optimised for individual duties, resulting in enhanced
overall performance.
The Vane FeedwellTM is a high performance feedwell for
the thickening and clarifying industry. The Vane FeedwellTM
has also been successfully retrofitted, quickly showing
significant benefits in thickener performance. It is now
the global standard for all Outotec thickeners.

How does the Vane FeedwellTM work?

Outotec’s Vane FeedwellTM incorporates a total of seven
global patents into its unique design. One of the main
design features is the interconnected upper and lower
zones.
CFD-generated flow pattern and solids concentration
Vanes and shelf
prevent short circuiting
Outotec’s highly experienced CFD team can quickly, accurately
and cost-effectively produce various design options, with
reassurance for full-scale replication. This unique combination
of CFD capability, backed by decades of real life experience,
generates cutting-edge customised designs.

A profit maximiser
The Vane FeedwellTM design ensures a highly efficient
thickener operation. As a result, cost savings can be
Feed/slurry significant.
entry
Flocculated slurry
evenly dispersed ■ Reduces flocculant use and operating costs
■ Improves thickener operability
The upper zone, into which feed, dilution water and ■ Increases thickener capacity
flocculant are added, provides enhanced mixing and ■ Maximises water recovery
energy dissipation. This maximises flocculant adsorption,
■ Improves underflow density
eliminates the possibility of coarse/fines segregation
■ Improves overflow clarity
and ensures all particles are aggregated together by the
flocculant. Efficient operation is maintained in this upper
zone over varying feed rates.
Vane FeedwellTM RETROFIT
700
The lower zone promotes gentle mixing for continued 600

aggregate growth, with the option for secondary 500

flocculant dosing. This zone also enables aggregates 400

300
to uniformly discharge under low shear conditions.
200

100

0
Dec ‘07 Jan ‘08 Feb ’08 Mar ‘08 Apr ’08 May ‘08 Jun ’08 Jul ‘08
Mineral sands application
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What makes the Vane FeedwellTM so different?

Unique features Unique benefits
Vanes ■ Mixes and de-aerates incoming slurry
Creates upper and lower zones ■ Dissipates energy, prevents short-circuiting

Two global patents ■ Maximises flocculant adsorption

■ Promotes full 360� distribution of feed solids

Radially sloped shelf ■ Increases solids residence time

Creates upper and lower zones
Vanes and radially sloped shelf
Global patent
■ Minimises coarse/fines segregation
■ Dissipates energy
■ Facilitates uniform solids distribution
■ Prevents short-circuiting
■  liminates possibility of solids build-up due to
E
radial slope

Upper and lower zones ■  nhances mixing, energy dissipation and

E
Ensures feedwell performs aggregate growth
distinct functions effectively ■ Uniform discharge under low shear conditions
■  emains efficient at lower than design
R
feed rates
Upper and lower zones, with feed
transition box
Directional Autodil™ ports ■ Promotes feed/dilution liquor mixing
Introduces dilution water in ■  chieves slurry density for optimal
A
Dilution Feed Solids complementary direction to flocculation
Water
Directional
feed flow ■ Reduces short-circuiting
AutodilTM port Dilution
Water Global patent

Tangential feed & ■ Optimises feedwell design geometry

Directional
AutodilTM port
transition box ■ Ensures all feed dilution occurs in
Directional Elevates feed entry into upper zone
AutodilTM port
upper zone ■ Focuses feed entry momentum into
Dilution Global patent upper zone
Water
Directional AutodilTM
Constant feed velocity ■ Preserves
 optimal feedwell performance
system for given feed flow conditions
Maintains design feed entry ■  educes short-circuiting by maintaining
R
velocity design feed flow velocity

Global patent

Flocculant spargers ■ Promotes efficient flocculant distribution

Enables dual zone flocculant
addition
Double deflector cone
Double deflector cone
Creates second exit annulus
■  ncourages continued aggregate growth
E
in lower zone
■ Reduces flocculant consumption
■ Optimises feedwell design geometry
■ Distributes flocculated solids evenly on exit

Global patent ■ Reduces short-circuiting

■ Eliminates upflow dilution

TurbodilTM ■  required, enables very low feed densities

If
Forced dilution system, for optimal flocculation
upstream of feedwell ■ Variable dilution to suit process conditions

Global patent
TurbodilTM
Outotec is a wor ldwide technology leader providing
innovative and environmentally sound solutions for
a wide variet y of customers in miner al s and metal s
processing as well as related process industries.
Outotec O yj is listed on the NA SDAQ OMX Hel sinki.

Outotec Pty Ltd

1/25 Frenchs Forest Road
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Tel: +61 2 9984 2500
Fax: +61 2 9984 2501

Level 2, 1 Walker Ave

West Perth WA 6005
Tel: + 61 8 9211 2200
Fax: +61 8 9211 2201
Email: thickening@outotec.com
Website: www.outotec.com

Copyright © 2009 Outotec Pty Ltd. All rights reserved

Outotec and More out of Ore! are registered trade marks of Outotec Oyj