MX2020001097A - High solids contact thickener. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is related to a high solids contact thickener, used for the separation and thickening of suspended solids inside liquids, like those used at tailings dams, for the recovery of water and disposal of dehydrated sludge. Also comprises a central tube with a series of feeding hatches, with dispersion cones to generate a laminar flow in the pulp that is fed to the contact thickener; by means of a static type mixer (not shown), the mixing of coagulants is favored. In addition, flocculants or a mixture of them and similar settlers with the pulp to be processed and facilitating the sedimentation process of the solids suspended in the liquid and which generates a thickening when draining the pulp into the equipment. On the other hand, there are clarification cells that describe a zigzagging path formed by plates inside, with a sufficient separation to allow the passage of the liquid, and at the same time, cause contact between clots that may be present in the fluid. This zigzagging path increases the distance the liquid must travel to leave the interior of the contact thickener and with this, the clots exit is hindered by adhering to other clots to form heavier flocs that go to the bottom of the contact thickener. Based on the conjunction of elements indicated in the arrangement, it is possible to produce the low flow. A paste with a percentage of solids greater than 70% solids by weight, in the liquid spilled by the overflow of the thickener, it is possible to clarify up to a percentage greater than 90% of liquid clarified by the contact thickener of the present invention.