Exploring New Frontiers in Ore Filtration: Introducing the BRASFELT Pilot Plant At the forefront of innovation in mineral filtration, BRASFELT presents one of its projects: the BRASFELT Pilot Plant. Developed as a versatile and effective solution for pilot-scale filtration of iron ores, non-ferrous ores and other materials, this pilot plant represents a significant breakthrough in the field of filtration technology. Using Vacuum Disc Filter technology, with a filter area of 40m², which allows to achieve production capacity of up to 120 tons per hour, the BRASFELT Pilot Plant offers a range of applications in mining. From its use in small scale plants to define solid-liquid separation processes to its application as a practical and compact solution for miners with lower demands, this pilot plant is truly versatile and effective. An important milestone in this journey of innovation was its first deployment in one of the largest iron mining companies in Minas Gerais. During a period of 24 months, the BRASFELT Pilot Plant was leased and used for tests in the treatment of flotation tailings of iron ore, in order to define dry disposal processes (Dry Stacking). This pioneering experience has demonstrated not only the effectiveness of technology, but also its potential to transform industrial practices and collaborate on environmental sustainability. BRASFELT is committed to continuing to drive innovations in ore filtration. With the BRASFELT Pilot Plant, we are prepared to lead the way towards a more efficient, sustainable and responsible future for the mining industry.
Brasfelt Ltda, the national leader in solid/liquid separation in mining, recently completed the supply of four 120 m² vacuum disc filters for a large mining company located in Espírito Santo. With more than 30 years of experience in the market, BRASFELT offers complete solutions for the filtration of concentrates and tailings treatment, from the conceptual design to the supply of the equipment and peripherals involved. The filters provided by BRASFELT have advanced filtering technology, generating operational gains, with greater physical availability, lower operating cost and higher production per filter area. In addition, these filters incorporate technologies to protect abrasive wear, combined with the reliability of Brasfelt products.
As part of this special tailings edition, International Mining Editorial Director Paul Moore talked to Eustaquio Barbosa , Director of Operations at Brasfelt Ltda , based in #BeloHorizonte , Brazil. #Brasfelt manufactures equipment for solid/liquid separation and is the leader in the Brazilian market in #vacuum disc filtration for #ironore while also continuously developing products and solutions for the #filtration of other mined products as well as offering filtration solutions for other industries. Barbosa told IM: "Brasfelt emerged in 1993 as a reseller of filter fabrics and other products produced by Tamfelt Oy, a Finnish company. The business evolved naturally and, due to a lack of local production, started a cooperation with a Norwegian company called Hydralift. Brasfelt then acquired the rights to produce vacuum #discfilters locally, which became the first ones produced in Brazil and were first sold to Vale ’s Kobrasco plant, part of its Tubarão operations, in 1998. After that, Brasfelt modified its solutions and offering so that it could best fulfil the necessities of the local market, including the right price level. The result is that today Brasfelt filters are stronger and allow for higher production and longer operation cycles, consequently decreasing the costs of operation and maintenance. Therefore, Vale and other companies started to acquire Brasfelt filters in Brazil and in Chile, so that Brasfelt became a market leader in those countries." He adds on why disc filters are so suited to Brazilian iron ore tailings #dewatering : "The choice of a filter depends on multiple factors, but one of them is the size of the solid particles. For extremely fine materials, the natural choice is filter presses. But for not so fine particles, the natural choice is disc filters. The main operational difference between them, is that filter presses do not have a continuous cycle (they operates in batches) and also the productivity (tonnes per hour per square meter) is lower than that of disc filters. So the use of disc filters in iron ore tailings, which requires high production, was a break in the paradigm that stated disc filters are not suitable for this application. The content of sand really affects how the equipment will perform. Due to this challenge, Brasfelt made some innovations in its disc filters, such as the application of ceramic lining in more vulnerable parts and replacing the filtrate tubes from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) to polyurethane. These innovations allowed the equipment to be resistant to the sand content of the #tailings ." #futureofmining #tailingsmanagement #futureoftailings #tailingsdewatering
